The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

For the classic's challenge category, choose a children's classic, hosted by Ann at Search For Wonder I chose The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (1950) by C. S. Lewis.  It's the second book in Lewis's acclaimed Narnia series.  But even if you haven't read the other books in the series, and I haven't, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe can be read as a stand-alone and it's worth your time.

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are siblings who when the novel begins are living in the English countryside at the home of a kindly professor.  The year is 1940 and the children were sent to the countryside from London due to the blitz.  The professor's home is huge with many rooms and secret compartments.  And since their parents are not with them, possibly still in London, the children are on their own and begin exploring the house.  It is Lucy who first discovers the wardrobe cabinet: 

"This must be a simply enormous wardrobe!" thought Lucy, going still further in and pushing the soft folds of the coats aside to make room for her. Then she noticed that there was something crunching under her feet. "I wonder is that more moth-balls?" she thought, stooping down to feel it with her hands. But instead of feeling the hard, smooth wood of the floor of the wardrobe, she felt something soft and powdery and extremely cold ... And then she saw that there was a light ahead of her; not a few inches away where the back of the wardrobe ought to have been .. A moment later she found that she was standing in the middle of a wood at night-time with snow under her feet and snowflakes falling through the air" 

Lucy finds herself in the world of Narnia which is run by the evil White Witch.  In Narnia it is always winter but there is no Christmas.  The witch who refers to herself as the Queen of Narnia forbids it.  And if the animals, birds, fauns and other creatures who live in Narnia disobey the Queen she will turn them into stone.  

Lucy upon arriving in Narnia is greeted by a faun named Mr. Tumnus.  He is friendly and invites Lucy to his cave for tea and cake.  Lucy is the first human Mr.Tumnus has ever seen.  Humans are referred to by the people of Narnia as sons of Adam and daughters of Eve.  The Queen is terrified of humans because there is a prophecy that when four humans, two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve, sit on the four thrones of Cair Paravel the reign of the White Witch will be over and a great and good Lion named Aslan will rule Narnia.

Mr. Tumnus tells Lucy all this and he also confesses that the White Witch has sent him to Lucy so that he can bring her to the witch's castle.  But he doesn't have the heart to do it and helps Lucy escape.  When Lucy returns home she tells Peter, Edmund and Susan about Narnia.  They don't believe her.  

But in a day or two all four children go through the wardrobe together and arrive in Narnia.  They learn that Mr Tumnus has been arrested for treason for disobeying the White Witch by helping Lucy escape.  Lucy, Peter and Susan are scared but they are also brave and they feel they must rescue Mr. Tumnus.  

Edmund in comparison is not so noble.  He went through the wardrobe door once before and he met the White Witch and fell under her spell.  He is particularly interested in the delicious Turkish Delight candy the witch dispenses and her promise that if Edmund does what she asks he will be made a Prince of Narnia.  I will leave the story there.  

The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe can be read as a Christian allegory, a children's fantasy novel or just as a good story.  Lucy, Peter, Edmund and Susan are well drawn and  each is very much their own person.  Lucy is kind hearted, inquisitive and she takes risks.  Peter being the eldest feels responsible for the younger children.  Edmund resents Peter's authority.  Susan is quiet and gentle but brave when it matters.

I have read my share of children's classics in the past few years.  And though a few have been a let down, the majority: Little House In The Big Woods, Ramona The Pest, Anne of Green Gables and now The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe are first rate and these books can be enjoyed at any age.