Thanks for the heads up. We haven't read that book yet. I'll be off to buy that book today so we all can read it before it comes out!
The whole series can usually be purchased as a paperback boxed set for less than $20. That way you can read them in the order they were written (which, btw, puts The Magicians Nephew last, though it comes first chronologically).
Or, they come in one big volume of all seven books. I picked one up at Wal Mart when the first movie came out. Here is a book that some of you may find interesting related to the Narnia series. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2507995
Where have you seen it under $20? I looked at barnes & noble online and it was alot more. We have read a few of them but then we went to other books and never got back. If I could get it at that price I would love it.
Lee, this is the book I have. It is complete and unabridged. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780066238500&itm=8
I forgot to add that a couple of weeks ago, the book was on the sale shelf at our Barnes and Noble. I am wondering if yours has it on sale too.
Thanks, I'll check this afternoon. I'm going that way anyway. If this doesn't work ebay seems to have some at really good prices too.
Thanks Jackie for that book recommendation. My kids are ready to read something else and I think that may be a good fit. My friend does not allow any fantasy due to the fear of having to make allowances for all fantasy. That is her right and that is fine. However, I think it shows and teaches a lack of discernment. I guess if you aren't comfortable drawing lines or providing a suitable explanation than that makes sense. I allow some fantasy but not all. I do not under any circumstances allow Harry Potter. My kids were never intersested in it so it was not a fight. In fact, they were opposed to it on their own before I even mentioned it. Anyway, I feel very comfortable allowing say Narnia and Star Wars but not Harry Potter and Ella Enchanted. My pastor has four kids...all around my kid's ages. He allows for many things that I can't imagine allowing a child to be exposed to. Yet, he will not allow things that I find ok. It is just crazy. Personally, I don't think he makes a hill of beans of sense in what he allows and doesn't. However, he is an intelligent man who loves the Lord, so I will assume he has his reasons and I respect that.
kbabe - I love how you put this! Yes! Some people just don't get it! I love the Chronicles of Narnia. I thought the movie was done wonderfully. As a general rule, I don't like fantasy. It's not that I have issues with the subject/content, I just find it (gasp) boring! But, Narnia I love!
Can anyone give me a good resource that will give me the correlation between Narnia and Christianity. I would love to start reading it to my dd5 soon, and it would be great if I could use it to teach her about religion too. Also, I'm curious about why some people don't like Disney. Someone said that some people don't like it because of what they stand for. Can somebody explain it to me?
I am not sure of a resource for you, sorry. I am sure someone else will have a resource. However, it is full of wonderful lessons! You and your dd will really enjoy it. Some dislike Disney because of their stance on homosexuality. I think Disney either does or considered allowing insurace to cover "partners". Aw...I am of no help..I thought I knew the answer to that question. lol. I am leary of Disney things. I like some of it and I object to some of it. I won't write it off completely. I just use my judgement. I think some of it is too worldly for my taste, some had bad humor, some has themes I don't care for and so on. However, some of their shows and movies are just delightful and family friendly. I guess it is all a matter of taste.
Don't have one, but my husband has a book about Lord of the Rings! Thanks for the link for the trailer. Rachael has seen it, but not the rest of us. Faythe is excited because it's two days after her b-day. We don't do "first run" movies...always wait until they're at the cheap theatres...but we had made an exception for Narnia. We'll probably make an exception for this one, too. Our puppy's name, btw, is Prince Caspian (though we usually call him Prince!) You should also be able to pick the books up reasonably at Half-Price Books!
Jnicholl--I wouldn't use the Chronicles of Narnia to teach about religion. I LOVE the series don't get me wrong. However, the allegories, while there, are loose and might be kind of difficult to get for a 5yo. C.S. Lewis was a Christian, the also mixes in mythology etc. On a side note, I would encourage you to read through the first book you decide to read. They are fantastic stories with fantastic adventures and for our kids they were too intense. That's not to say it would be like that for every kid. . .but they are intense stories. Speaking of reading things out loud. . .did you know the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland smokes a bong pipe. . .and it says it just like that! That's something I should've previewed a bit. . .just a bit. . .before reading out loud! LOL Okay on to Disney. . .we're one of those Disney leary families. We do own some Disney though but for awhile we boycotted them completely. Their pro-homosexual stance as a company is an issue for us. It is certainly within their right. . .don't get me wrong. . .but that doesn't mean I have to give my money for it. Many of their movies have demonic overtones and/or mixed religious messages. The Hunchback and Pocahontas are two that immediately come to mind. Our response to some of these isn't necessarily to ban them but we do make our kids wait before they can see them. We're happy to talk through things. . .but just when they 're a little older. My oldest still hasn't seen either of those two movies along with a few others. What I should say is that we really take it on a case by case basis. I don't do Harry Potter either and put it in a different category than Tolkein or Lewis' work. Okay. . .I've written enough now. ;-)
C. S. Lewis wrote it that way on purpose. It's not a stretch to see the allagory. Reading about his life will give the evidence you need. It breaks down simply: Aslan = Christ The King Beyond the Sea (Aslan's Father who is only referenced)= God the Father The witch = the devil In the Magicians Nephew, it was the child's sin that brought the witch into Narnia as it was being formed. Not a leap to see the parallel there. Aslan allows himself to be killed in Edmund's place, breaking the stone table and reversing death itself. I could go on and on. I'm sure there are study guides out there, but I'm confident you could manage this yourself.
Okay, when I was a kid and we had to read this in Canada I hated it, I was scared by the book had no idea about who God was or anything so to me it was just a scarey kind of book that was about lions that talked and freaky animals. Since "knowing the truth" about the story I am no longer fearful but more amazed. Even so I can understand why some would be afraid, some people do not like to admit that evil exists anywhere but in our imagination too. So it is natural for some to not want to see the two sides.... check out my thread on another great movie out!
I understand why someone with small children & still teaching the fundamentals of their faith would have some issues with Narnia but we didn't. We are all fantasy readers & now my children are older. My youngest, who has been allowed to read Narnia & Harry Potter, has some interesting things to say on them ~ especially as a well meaning aquaintance gave us a video on the evils of Harry Potter that contained Wiccan scenes. My daughter pointed out, correctly, HP is nothing like real Wicca. As my history area is in Celtic Britain & I have read widely in this area, accusations of this type against HP amuse me ~ especially as there are books out there blatantly encouraging children to become Wiccan's that have slipped under the Christian radar. That is of far more concern to me. Interestingly The Golden Compass, which is blatantly based on an atheist's world view, seems to have bombed.
I don't think it is that some of those books have slipped under the Christian radar as much as the popularity of Harry Potter demanded the attention from some Christians. I see books in the bookstore all the time for kids and young adults that sicken me as much as Harry Potter. Sadly, Harry Potter is a household name so it gets the attention. Also, J.K. Rowling studied paganism and witchcraft and freely says she tried to incorporate as much symbolism and junk of her studies as she could. Most of it is in the form of types and symbols and not real Wicca, obviously. However, the power and impact of her books still opened doors that in my mind should remain closed.
While we're on record here...I couldn't watch Narnia all the way thru...it scared ME! LOL i scare easy though, just ask hubby. I totally cannot watch Lord of the Rings either. Too real to me. I'm hoping someday I'll be able to make it thru Narnia.
