Narnia Fans » Chronicles of Narnia

A slight correction, folks. What I posted yesterday was technically the back cover information available at the TeenLibris site, and not the press release. My apologies.

However, Leah Wilson was kind enough to send us the official press release. And here it is:

DALLAS—With Prince Caspian soon to be released in movie theaters across the country, and a whole new generation of children captivated by Aslan the lion and the land of Narnia, readers young and old are eager for fresh takes on the classic series. Through the Wardrobe: Your Favorite Authors on C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia delivers, as 16 Independent Reader and Young Adult authors discuss their love of the perennial childhood favorite, from what tea and Turkish delight have to do with religion to why it’s okay to have an occasional temper tantrum.

Through the Wardrobe is edited by New York Times bestselling author Herbie Brennan, who heads a list of established and up-and-coming authors that includes Diane Duane, Lisa Papademetriou, Brent Hartinger and other beloved authors. Four write specifically on Prince Caspian: about Caspian’s transformation from teenage prince to grown-up king; about the folly of underestimating the young; about the environmentalist message hidden in Narnia’s rebirth; and about finding magic even when other people tell you it doesn’t exist.

Through the Wardrobe is the first in a new series of books called Teen Libris, where Independent Reader and Young Adult authors will give their insights on favorite IR Reader and YA series for a IR and YA audience. Other planned titles include Demigods and Monsters, on Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, edited by Rick Riordan himself and to be released in May; A New Dawn, on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, edited by New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins and to be released in June; and Secrets of the Dragon Riders, on Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance series, edited by James A. Owen and to be released in July. The series will be carried exclusively in Borders bookstores.

Through the Wardrobe is more than just your average picture book movie tie-in—it’s smart, funny and endlessly engaging, giving its readers not only more of the Narnia they love, but more to think about, dream about and enjoy.

Hey, NarniaFans! Leah Wilson, over at BenBella Books sent us an e-mail about a new release called Through the Wardrobe: Your Favorite Authors on CS Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia”.

Here is the Official Press Release:

Through the Wardrobe

Your Favorite Authors on C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia

Edited by Herbie Brennan

April 2008

Why is Prince Caspian the ultimate teenager?

What does Narnia have to do with the Nazis?

How come C. S. Lewis has such a big problem with lipstick, anyway?

Step through the wardrobe … and into the imaginations of sixteen friends of Aslan as they explore Narnia, from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to The Last Battle, from the heart of Caspian’s kingdom to the Eastern Seas.

Join in on the adventure, the battles, and—of course—the celebrating!

Find out:

How in Narnia (like in our world), bigger isn’t always better

Why Edmund Pevensie is totally crush-worthy

What tea and Turkish Delight have to do with religion

And why it’s okay to have an occasional temper tantrum

With Essays From …

Herbie Brennan

Deb Caletti

Diane Duane

Sarah Beth Durst

Brent Hartinger

Susan Juby

Sophie Masson

Kelly McClymer

O.R. Melling

Lisa Papademetriou

Diana Peterfreund

Susan Vaught

Ned Vizzini

Elizabeth Wein

Zu Vincent and Kiara Koenig

Leah told NarniaFans that the book is a collection of essays by various Young Adult writers on the Chronicles of Narnia. She says that it is geared towards a pre-teen to teen audience, but thinks that it will also be a great read for older NarniaFans.

Look for my review to be posted here at NarniaFans in the next couple of days.

Yes, confession, the breaking news stories yesterday were in fact April Fools Day Jokes. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s responses to the jokes both on the message board for NarniaFans and NarniaWeb. I almost busted a gut laughing at some of your responses! Some of you caught on really well! I was impressed. I hope none of you were too alarmed by any of the news and apologize if you were. Thank you all for being such great sports. As a bonus, I hope some of you checked my source link on Wikipedia as it would have led to a page on April Fools.

So yes, there will not be a new Narnia book focusing on the legend of Queen Swanwhite ( though there are some well written fan fictions on-line if you can find them). Lindsey Lohan will not be in Narnia as Ramandu’s daughter. Zac Ephron won’t be playing Eustace. The “powers that be” have wisely chosen unknowns for the principles thus far and surround them with great top-notch actors and actresses as apposed to celebrities, for the supporting roles. No doubt they will repeat this formula.

When actual news of the cast for Voyage of the Dawn Treader does surface, you can count on us to have the news. And rest assured, I think we all will be “presently surprised” when the news hits and amazed when the next installment of our beloved fantasy series comes to life .

Though remember when April 1st comes around I think we all have the tendency to behave a bit like Edmund ( or maybe Eustace.) ESPECIALLY here at NarniaFans.

For those who missed out on the fun and excitement ( and the possible heart failures, seizures, strokes, Near Death Experiences, nausea, throwing up in the mouth, rage, and other symptoms associated with believing the jokes) here they are.

Harper Collins announces release of “Lost” Narnian Chronicle: “The Legend of Queen Swanwhite.”

Long time fans of the Chronicles of Narnia who were saddened by the end of the series in 1956 may rejoice at some news from publisher Harper Collins. With the help of Walter Hooper, Colin Duriez, and other Lewis scholars, Harper Collins is posthumously publishing the book that existed in various fragments. Lewis scholars had found these fragments and pieced them together, resulting in a coherent story.

“Parts of it were in old notebooks. A page or two had been written on a couple of cocktail napkins. The opening page had been scribbled on a student’s test booklet that he was grading. A few other bits and pieces were found in other places,” said Hooper, a long time editor and collaborator with Lewis.

“A few fragments were even found on an old chewing gum wrapper from a stick of gum that Tolkien gave to Lewis,” he added.

“We are very excited about this new release,” said a representative of Harper Collins. “ We were a little leery at first about releasing it as we weren’t sure if it would sell. The only fantasy books that seem to sell now a days are Harry Potter books. You can’t bank on the success of some old dead guy.”

However another CEO, who wished to remain anonymous, expects the book to do well considering the success of Tolkien’s Children of Hurin last summer.

“Children of Hurin was number 1 on the New York Times Best-Seller list. It knocked a Harry Potter book off of it’s spot and out sold the final Left Behind book. A rare feat for a book by a deceased writer. This has shown it could work.”

Narnia has it’s own built in fan base. Readers young and old have been hoping for more Narnia books since the release of the Last Battle,” said Colin Duriz, a noted Lewis scholar and author of various handbooks devoted to CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and their various works. “Now they have their wish.”

Hardcore fans will remember that Queen Swanwhite was mentioned by Jewel the unicorn in the Last Battle as an important figure in Narnian history. Her name is featured on countless Narnia Timelines. There does appear to be some discrepancy between when Jewel says the events happened ( the year 1500 in Narnia time), and the official timeline compiled by Lewis. ( 900. Approximately before Jadis came to rule Narnia.)

“This book will definitely shed some light on those questions,” said Hooper. “Fans have been wondering about her for years. Now they will discover her rich story.”

We have yet to receive any details on the full plot or what other characters will appear in the story. Early rumors indicate that it may also deal with the Jadis’s return to Narnia, the beginning of the 100 year winter and how Tumnus came under her employment.

The book is expected to be released sometime this Christmas. We have not yet been able to reach Douglas Gresham for comment on this book.

Casting Announcement : HSM Star joins the Voyage.

Word on the street indicates that a choice has been made on a crucial member of the cast of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. That role is Eustace Scrubb. It is none other than High School Musical star, Zac Efron.

“They were hesitant on casting him at first,” the insider reported. “ As he is such a high profile star. But he gave the best audition.”

Other finalists on the very short list included Dylan and Cole Spraus from the Disney Channels Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Ricky Ulman from Phil of the Future, Jake Lloyd ( Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace), and Haley Joel Osment.

“Our preferences were for either Efron, Ulman or one of the Spraus twins to get a role in this franchise,” said a Disney insider. “Narnia is one of our most bankable franchises, and these are some of our biggest stars. Efron, especially has a lot of street credence with our target audiences.”

“They’ve cast plenty no-names in the series, such as that guy from Schindler’s List ( JS: Liam Neeson) as the voice of Aslan,” said a member of the filming crew. “While he’s a great actor, what we need is a big star to carry the franchise. No one is bigger than Zac Efron right now. It was a perfect fit.”

Efron has already been training for his role and is meeting with his dialect coach to prefect a British accent. Reports indicate he is getting along well with the cast already. It has also been reported that Partick Stewart ( X-Men, Star Trek: TNG), and Christopher Lee ( Lord of the Rings, Star Wars Episode II&III) have also been seen on set. Could they also be filling in roles for the film, perhaps as Coriakin and Ramandu?

Check back with NarniaFans tomorrow for more news on these casting choices!

Lindsey Lohan enters Narnia!

One of the biggest names in Hollywood is getting to become part of one of the biggest fantasy franchises. Sources indicate that child star Lindsey Lohan has received a role in the next installment of the Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. She has been tapped to play the small, but memorable character of the daughter of Ramandu.

Fans of the series will remember that Caspian, Lucy, Edmund and Eustace meet the character at the last island they landed on before they reached the edge of the world of Narnia. The character is the daughter of the wizard Ramandu, a retried star. She and Caspian fall in love and get married. The two of them become the parents of Prince Rillian, one of the main figures in The Silver Chair.

The character is never named, but expect the screen writers to amend that situation. The star’s agent says that this will be a great way for her to repair her image following her legal problems that were the subject of tabloids for weeks, as well as the box office failures of her recent films.

An executive from Disney said, “We are honored to have her coming back. She has had a great record with us.”

The actress has gone on to say, “I really like the books. They’re my favorite. Goblet of Fire is my favorite out of all of them. Wait, this isn’t Harry Potter? Oh well, a jobs a job.”

Long time fans of the Chronicles of Narnia who were saddened by the end of the series in 1956 may rejoice at some news from publisher Harper Collins. With the help of Walter Hooper, Colin Duriez, and other Lewis scholars, Harper Collins is posthumously publishing the book that existed in various fragments. Lewis scholars had found these fragments and pieced them together, resulting in a coherent story.

“Parts of it were in old notebooks. A page or two had been written on a couple of cocktail napkins. The opening page had been scribbled on a student’s test booklet that he was grading. A few other bits and pieces were found in other places,” said Hooper, a long time editor and collaborator with Lewis.

“A few fragments were even found on an old chewing gum wrapper from a stick of gum that Tolkien gave to Lewis,” he added.

“We are very excited about this new release,” said a representative of Harper Collins. “ We were a little leery at first about releasing it as we weren’t sure if it would sell. The only fantasy books that seem to sell now a days are Harry Potter books. You can’t bank on the success of some old dead guy.”

However another CEO, who wished to remain anonymous, expects the book to do well considering the success of Tolkien’s Children of Hurin last summer.

“Children of Hurin was number 1 on the New York Times Best-Seller list. It knocked a Harry Potter book off of it’s spot and out sold the final Left Behind book. A rare feat for a book by a deceased writer. This has shown it could work.”

Narnia has it’s own built in fan base. Readers young and old have been hoping for more Narnia books since the release of the Last Battle,” said Colin Duriez, a noted Lewis scholar and author of various handbooks devoted to CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and their various works. “Now they have their wish.”

Hardcore fans will remember that Queen Swanwhite was mentioned by Jewel the unicorn in the Last Battle as an important figure in Narnian history. Her name is featured on countless Narnia Timelines. There does appear to be some discrepancy between when Jewel says the events happened ( the year 1500 in Narnia time), and the official timeline compiled by Lewis. (900. Approximately before Jadis came to rule Narnia.)

“This book will definitely shed some light on those questions,” said Hooper. “Fans have been wondering about her for years. Now they will discover her rich story.”

We have yet to receive any details on the full plot or what other characters will appear in the story. Early rumors indicate that it may also deal with the Jadis’s return to Narnia, the beginning of the 100 year winter and how Tumnus came under her employment.

The book is expected to be released sometime this Christmas. We have not yet been able to reach Douglas Gresham for comment on this book.

Devin Brown e-mailed us to let us know that there’s an excerpt from his book: Inside Prince Caspian on CBN.com! Here’s a piece of the article, written by Devin Brown, followed by a link to the story.

In my book Inside Prince Caspian, I provide readers with a detailed look at C. S. Lewis’s second Chronicle of Narnia. Here is a very brief overview of some of the issues in Prince Caspian, one which I hope will be helpful for those going to see the upcoming film or for anyone who will be leading discussions about the book.

In Prince Caspian when the children first arrive in what they later learn is Narnia, there is something missing. On their earlier journey, when the four children came out from the wardrobe into Narnia, there was a mysterious sense of enchantment. Yes, Narnia was under the control of the White Witch. And yes, she had made it always winter and never Christmas. But somehow despite this, there was an immediate sense of wonder and awe evoked by the snowy woods and the mysterious lamp-post, and by something else as well, something which was simply part of the land itself.

Now after the four children are whisked off the train platform, the thick, overgrown woods they find themselves in hold no enchantment—they are just woods.

Because there is no special feeling to the place, Lucy has to ask Peter, “Do you think we can possibly have got back to Narnia?” His answer speaks loudly about the magical quality which has been lost or repressed. Peter responds, “It might be anywhere,” a comment which could never have been said about the Narnia of the first book.

This ordinariness, this lack of enchantment, is appropriate. King Miraz, the tyrant who holds power over Narnia, is not a magical creature like the White Witch was. Instead, he is just a two-bit dictator, the descendent of lowlife pirates, and not particularly bright or imaginative, the type of self-seeking autocrat found in minor institutions and backwater organizations of every world.

Like his kind everywhere, after he usurps the crown through cowardly, underhanded means, he does away with his opposition by way of hunting accidents, trumped-up charges, and hopeless quests. He will pretend to be fond of his nephew only until he has an heir of his own. Unlike the Witch, who is killed by Aslan in a dramatic battle scene, Miraz will meet his end, very appropriately, by the hand of one of his own henchmen after tripping on a “tussock.”

Read the rest at CBN.com

In the Chronicles of Narnia, the White Stag is fabled to grant wishes to whoever catches him. There is a Scottish dance called The White Stag of Arran and, according to local tradition, a white stag is said to appear near Brodick Castle when one of the Hamilton chiefs dies to herald him to the other side.

It is like a ghost fleeting among the heather, a beast of myth whose precise location must be protected from those who would do him harm.

The white stag, an animal of such rarity that it was revered by the ancient Celts as a messenger from the afterlife, has been seen on the west coast of Scotland.

These exclusive pictures show the rare beast grazing quietly among young red stags, unaware of his celebrity status as the only known example in Britain.

The animal was spotted during a recent field trip by Fran Lockhard, the partnership manager with the John Muir Trust, who photographed and filmed the white stag.

“It was amazing to crawl up so close to such a magnificent looking animal,” she said. “He looked almost ghost-like next to the group of young red stags that he was mixing with. I am thrilled to know that there is a white stag roaming free out there in the Scottish Highlands. We will be watching this animal with interest, particularly as he will be reaching his full potential in the next couple of years.”

The countdown to Walt Disney Pictures’ and Walden Media’s film ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ begins today with the release of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA MOVIE TIE-IN EDITION. For the first time, readers can experience Narnia in a collectible edition featuring an 8-page, fold-out insert based on C. S. Lewis’s own timeline conceived for Narnia. The stunning cover artwork from ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ movie introduces a dashing new hero-actor Ben Barnes (‘Stardust’) as Prince Caspian.

The full-color timeline, recreated from C. S. Lewis’s original and paired with Pauline Baynes’ classic full color illustrations for the first time, provides the key to the passage of time in Narnia and Earth by laying the two worlds side by side. Never before has C. S. Lewis’s timeline been included in a complete edition of all seven books of Narnia. Readers can now enjoy the beloved stories and use the timeline as a guide to orient themselves within the epic work.

This Spring the timeline will be expanded into NARNIA CHRONOLOGY: From the Archives of the Last King (April 1, 2008; $19.99), an interactive version of The Chronicles of Narnia. NARNIA CHRONOLOGY will include pop-ups, gatefolds, pull tabs and many other exciting features to tell the stories in a sweeping linear format as C. S. Lewis imagined it.

On May 16, 2008, audiences will be enthralled by the film, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.’ With THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA MOVIE TIE-IN EDITION and NARNIA CHRONOLOGY, readers will have the chance to experience Aslan’s world first, in their own imagination.

Clive Staples Lewis, known as Jack to his friends, was born in 1898. Lewis and his good friend J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, were part of the Inklings, an informal writers’ club that met at a local pub to discuss story ideas. Lewis’s fascination with fairy tales, myths, and ancient legends, coupled with inspiration drawn from his childhood, led him to write The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, one of the best-loved books of all time. Six further books followed to become the immensely popular The Chronicles of Narnia. The final title in the series, The Last Battle, was awarded the Carnegie Medal, one of the highest marks of excellence in children’s literature.

HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures-Charlotte’s Web, The Chronicles of Narnia, Goodnight Moon, Where the Sidewalk Ends and Where the Wild Things Are; and popular new classics-A Series of Unfortunate Events, Warriors and Fancy Nancy. HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, one of the leading English language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation . Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australasia. You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at www.harpercollinschildrens.com and HarperCollins Publishers at www.harpercollins.com.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA MOVIE TIE-IN EDITION
Written by C. S. Lewis
Illustrated by Pauline Baynes
HarperEntertainment
Paperback / Ages: 10 and up / January 8, 2008 / ISBN: 978-0-06-123105-6 /
$21.99 / 6 x 9 /
767 pages with b & w illustrations and a full-color 8-page foldout

NARNIA CHRONOLOGY
From the Archives of the Last King
Based on the books by C. S. Lewis
Including full color illustrations by Pauline Baynes
HarperCollins Children’s Books
Paperback/ Ages: 8 and up / April 1, 2008 / ISBN: 978-0-06-124005-8 /
$19.99 / 10 1/4 x 11 3/4 /
32 full-color pages

www.harpercollinschildrens.com

The International Christian Retail Show 2007 was held this last week in Atlanta, GA with many publishers displaying new Chronicles of Narnia products coming Spring 2008.

The products look very similar to the ‘Wardrobe’ tie-ins. One tie-in book is called “The Tail of Reepicheep” and includes this synopsis: “Reepicheep is the bravest of the mice and stands beside Caspian in the battle to reclaim the throne. In the struggle, Reepicheep loses his tail. But his bravery and the loyalty of his fellow Mice earn him a special reward from Aslan.”

Available February 2008:

Prince Caspian Read-Aloud Edition

Available April 2008:

Prince Caspian movie tie-in editions
Movie tie-in box sets
This is Narnia (I Can Read)
Lucy’s Journey (I Can Read)
Fight for the Throne (Chapter Book)
Prince Caspian: The Movie Storybook
The Tail of Reepicheep
Caspian’s Army
Activity Book and Gel Pen
Coloring and Activity Book and Crayons
A Narnia Chronology
Chronicles of Narnia books (David Wiesner covers)
Book and Audio Box Set
Puzzle Book
Prince Caspian: The Reusable Sticker Book
Prince Caspian Book and CD

Bob Siemon will also once again be providing a new line of Narnia jewelery.

There will also be a Making of Prince Caspian book that was unmentioned in this catalog, but I cannot yet divulge more details than that.

After Edmund is a band that takes it’s name from the character “Edmund Pevensie” in “The Chronicles of Narnia.” I confirmed that with the band through their MySpace page. Matt replied, “I’m glad you asked . From none other than CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia!” They are releasing their first album, in stores starting today!

Sophisticated and complex musically, yet lyrically direct and accessible, new Slanted Records artist After Edmund is poised to take the Christian music scene by storm. Kicking off their debut album with the swirling chords of “Clouds” and the frenetic, driving “Thank God”, After Edmund tackles themes of a desperate desire to feel God’s presence, being honest in the midst of pain and losing everything to truly find Christ. Producer Sotty Wilbanks (DecembeRadio, Third Day) adeptly captures the crackling energy of the band’s powerful, kick-out-the-slats live shows.

Track Listing

01. Clouds
02. Thank God
03. No Tomorrow
04. Tears
05. Everyone
06. Darkest Room
07. Let It Go
08. Stealing Away (Sabade)
09. Like A Dream
10. To See You Leave
11. When You Need Someone
12. Go Oboe

If you become their friend on MySpace, tell them we sent you!

Kelly Kyle, the owner of a bookshop named “Narnia Children’s Books” is facing a lawsuit for having the word “Narnia” in their store name, according to TimesDispatch.com. This comes as a surprise because the store opened in 1984, and they have not received any prior requests to change the name.

According to Narnia’s official website “‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ ‘Narnia’ and all book titles, characters and locales original to ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ are trademarks of CS Lewis Pte Ltd. Use without permission is strictly prohibited.”

Walden Media LCC, who maintains the website and holds the ‘Narnia’ film rights, said the dispute has nothing to do with them. Times Dispatch could not contact Disney Enterprises Inc., who also holds the film rights, and HarperCollins, who has held the Narnia book rights.

Outside entities, including the Memphis-based C.S. Lewis Society, the Australian C.S. Lewis Today, and even Narniafans.com, have permission to used words coined by Lewis.

Kyle has stated that she hopes there is room for negotiations and she can keep the name.