Fantasy · Children's
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Four siblings sent away from wartime London find a wardrobe that leads into a snowy land where it is always winter and never Christmas. A talking lion and an ancient prophecy put them at the centre of a struggle against a witch.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1950
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 131
- Format
- Book 1 of 7 in The Chronicles of Narnia (Publication Order)
Read this if you want a short, classic children's adventure with talking animals and a clear good-versus-evil story.
Skip this if you want complex characters or find overt allegory and old-fashioned narration irritating.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- What is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe about?
- Four siblings sent away from wartime London find a wardrobe that leads into a snowy land where it is always winter and never Christmas. A talking lion and an ancient prophecy put them at the centre of a struggle against a witch.
- Who should read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
- Read it if you want a short, classic children's adventure with talking animals and a clear good-versus-evil story. Skip it if you want complex characters or find overt allegory and old-fashioned narration irritating.
- How long and how fast is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 131 pages, first published in 1950.
- Does The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Golden Compass, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Hobbit.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
-
The Golden Compass
A darker, more questioning children's fantasy that is often seen as a reply to this kind of story.
-
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Another portal-style classic where a child is swept into a magical land and has to find her way home.
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The Hobbit
Another cozy, adventurous classic with a gentle narrator and a clear sense of wonder.
Fantasy
