Tumnus’ Bookshelf: The NarniaFans Book Reviews: World of Narnia: A Counting Book adapted from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis, pictures by Joey Chou

October 11, 2025 Jonathon Svendsen Chronicles of Narnia, Narnia Books, Reviews, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Tumnus's Book Shelf

Hey, everybody! Welcome back to Tumnus’ Bookshelf, where we review any and all books written by, about, and inspired by CS Lewis, The Land of Narnia, and The Inklings. For today’s review, we will be looking at the brand new board book World of Narnia: A Counting Book.

TITLE: World of Narnia: A Counting Book (Based on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis)

PICTURES BY: Joey Chou.

Publisher: HarperCollins

ISBN-10: 0063427451

ISBN-13: 978-0063427457

SUMMARY:

Return to the world of CS Lewis’ beloved classic, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in this enchanting counting primer, perfect for the youngest Friends of Narnia.

REVIEW:

Perhaps one of the most delightful publishing trends has been the growth of board books for infants and toddlers that combine classic literature with teaching fundamental skills like colors, numbers, and shapes. Not only is it a great way to help build those basic skills early in life in a fun, safe environment, it’s a great way to introduce them to some of the world’s greatest works of literature. Further by using classic familiar stories like Romeo & Juliet, Dracula, Pride & Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes, A Christmas Carol or The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, it can provide more enjoyment for parents and other older relatives as they reencounter old familiar friends and enjoy the story together with a new generation and help children develop those skills.

Considering CS Lewis had been a professor and as such he knew the value of a good education, his world of Narnia could be a perfect choice for such a primer. Further, he firmly believed that within his abilities as a story-teller that he had a way to help readers sneak past watchful dragons of more difficult aspects of Christian theology, so they too may come to love the deeper magic behind Aslan and Narnia one day. If a board book, can help prepare the littlest friends of Narnia to one day encounter Aslan on their own, then it would be a welcome addition to any library.

World of Narnia: A Counting Book, is only the latest primer for infants and toddlers that merges the world of classic literature with fundamental skills. Using the plot of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe artist Joey Chou guides the reader through key moments of the story, reintroducing us to Jadis, Mr. Tumnus, the four Pevensies, and the great Lion Aslan, counting up from 1 to 10. Along the way, we see such classic moments as tea with Tumnus, Edmund and the Turkish Delight, and Aslan freeing the Narnians from Jadis’ spell.

Chou’s artwork is just as charming as it had been in the board book adaption of the lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. And I must say as a long-time friend of Narnia, this rendition of Jadis is probably one of my top three interpretations, right alongside Pauline Baynes original illustrations, and Deborah Maze’s raven-haired statue-esque stunner in The World of Narnia book series from the 1990s. While other artists lean heavily into the Andersenian Snow Queen influences of Jadis, Chou takes a different approach. This book, like the previous board book, is for infants and young children. The concept of temptation can be difficult for even adults to grasp, and it wouldn’t do to have her look too evil. Instead Chou’s Jadis almost seems more enchanting, if not outright bewitching, to younger readers making her reminiscent of another ice princess, Elsa of Arendelle from Disney’s Frozen. This subtlety is far more effective for younger readers and can help draw them more into the narrative’s masterful spell. Considering the curse of Jadis is broken through a sacrificial act of love, making her more reminiscent of Elsa is a fitting comparison, that as kids grow older it can allow parents to have deeper conversations with their children.

I had been delighted with the board book adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe from Joey Chou and secretly hoped to see the world of Narnia expand in such a fashion. This brand-new World of Narnia: A Counting Book, is not only a delightful way to help the youngest friends of Narnia develop fundamental skills, but a great way to introduce them to the magical land of Narnia, so they too may one day come to love the Deeper Magic of that world.