[SamAdams76]

Are the C.S. Lewis books worth reading by kids? If so, what order should they be read in? I'm thinking of getting them for my son at Christmas. He's read the Harry Potter books but he's still a bit young for Lord Of The Rings.

[newberger]

Are the C.S. Lewis books worth reading by kids?

Yes, YES, YES!

Read them in the order of publication.
Start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

[Cicero]

The Narnia Chronicles, beginning with "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," are excellent children's fantasies. You can get them in a boxed set of paperbacks, or you might want to try that one first, to see how they like them.

The SF trilogy beginning with "Out of the Silent Planet" is also excellent for teenagers (or adults).

Lewis's best fantasy is "Till We Have Faces," but it may be a bit too subtle for some readers. It's based on the Greek myth of Psyche and Eros.

I'm also a fan of Lewis's literary criticism and his popular religion books, but that's another story.

[62chrysler]

I am a big C.S. Lewis fan, in general, but I have never enjoyed his science fiction or children's books. One of the reasons that I didn't enjoy reading the Narnia Chronicles was that I was spoiled by Tolkien's far better writing, characterization, and epic richness. I read THE HOBBIT to my children when they were 9,7, and 5. They loved it so much that I move on with TLOTR, clearly not a children's book in the way THE HOBBIT was begun. The children wouldn't let me put it down. It took six months, but we finished it, and they loved it. It was my second time, and I enjoyed it more than the first (when I was 14). I am reading it now to my 4th and 5th children. Meanwhile, the 9,7, and 5 year-old are now 14, 12, and 10, and are delighted to stay in the room while I read. There is no book like it, and you will be surprised how well even relatively young children follow the narrative and grasp even the many profound insights.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Actually, you want to start CS Lewis's books with the Magician's Nephew.... the largely forgotten first book in his series. It is similar to the Hobbit, but it gives a fantastic and most entertaining history to the whole series. Some of the later books get long and dark, but they seem to follow the themes of Tolkein's books.

And in regards to Tolkeins books getting better every time, oh yes. I am reading them to my kids now, probably the 3rd or 4th time I have read them. I have forgotten so much of it. But it does make you think. My son cannot understand why I cry while reading during certain passages......they are so rich.

[mamaduck]

Narnia books are the best books ever written.

I was introduced to them in 5th grade, didn't "get" them until 6th, had to have my own set by 7th (my parents bought them for me as a confimation gift).

I have read them 20x myself, read them all to my kids and look forward to reading them again!