Believing in Narnia

Natalie Nichols Gillespie

Rating:

‘Believing in Narnia’ is recommended, by the publishers, for children aged 7-11, but I would suggest it should be for children aged 10+. The book helps children to discover the hidden meanings behind their favourite characters, creatures and places as well as giving them an insight into spiritual parallels.

The book starts with a summary of each Narnia story before focusing in on the ‘secret keys’; characters, creatures (good guys - Aslan, Prince Caspian; bad guys - White Witch, The Tisroc), objects (lamp post, door) and places (Narnia, Dark Island). The Christian concepts are explained, along with excerpts from the Narnia books. ‘Believing in Narnia’ concludes with ‘keys’ about Jesus and C S Lewis. 

Readers will learn facts such as: 
The lion Aslan, king of Narnia, represents Jesus; Turkish Delight, Edmund's favourite sweet treat, symbolizes two ideas: temptation and the notion that evil knows our weakest spots and uses that to attack us; when Susan and Lucy go to Aslan after he dies, they are a lot like the Bible's two Marys, who went Jesus' tomb to take care of His body; the door in The Last Battle represents death, and death does not have to be scary for followers of Jesus; Peter's relationship with Aslan represents the honour that should be passed between fathers and sons, and between God and His sons and daughters.

I think the book is most suitable for Christian children, especially for Narnia enthusiasts, and could be used in church or youth group sessions following a theme of Narnia.

Reviewer: Rachel Davey, Class Teacher and co-ordinator for RE and PSE, Baden Powell Primary School, Cardiff

Review posted on: 14 July 2008

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