Caroline McAlister
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A Starred Kirkus Review for Finding Narnia!

8/26/2019

4 Comments

 
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Finding Narnia is my second book with Macmillan; the release date is November 19. For both John Ronald's Dragons and Finding Narnia the production process feels a little mysterious from my end. Out of the blue I'll get an e-mail from editor Katherine Jacobs informing me of the release date. Then an ARC, advance release copy, will land on my doorstep. Then e-mails arrive with copies of the reviews.  If a review is negative, my agent, Jennifer Mattson, will try to provide soothing words and context. But with Finding Narnia the two reviews I have received have been wonderful, so no soothing words necessary, only kudos and joy. But especially kudos and joy for the starred Kirkus review!

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★ FINDING NARNIA
The Story of C. S. Lewis and His Brother Warnie
Author: Caroline McAlister, Illustrator: Jessica Lanan
Publisher: Roaring Brook, Pages: 48
Price (Hardcover): $19.99
Publication Date: November 19, 2019, ISBN (Hardcover): 9781626726581
​A vivid portrait of inspiration and imagination focuses on teamwork and historical fact.C.S. "Jack" and Warren "Warnie" Lewis were brothers and best friends, curious dreamers and inspired playmates, but they probably never guessed that their games would help fire the imaginations of generations of children. Following the two from early childhood to later life, straightforward, energetic text paired with appealing, specific, and skillful illustrations provides background for the genesis of Lewis' ideas (Norse legend, Raj-era India, Irish shipyards, and English boarding schools all played a role). However, rather than exclusively focusing on interesting or chronological details (though both are included), McAlister looks at how Narnia was born. She finds its roots in the brothers' invented worlds, their on-again, off-again partnership, the different directions their lives took, the behavior of wartime refugee children who stayed in their home, and, of course, the presence of a magical wardrobe in their childhood. Lanan's paintings combine homey views of the family's Belfast house, pictures, maps, and diagrams of their imagined world, and luminous, magical paintings of Narnia. In a nice touch, the focus extends to the endnotes, where McAlister, as biographer, and Lanan, as illustrator, mention their own research discoveries and related artistic choices.Masterfully explains how a classic series came to be while maintaining a sense of mystery and wonder. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)







4 Comments
Sandra Warren link
8/28/2019 01:38:19 pm

Wonderful review! Wow! Congratulations!

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11/26/2019 03:50:14 am

This book entirely the base of the real world and I know loads of the books just comprised of entrancing things. I need to peruse this book on the grounds that the tale of this book is so intriguing and unique. Your perspectives are likewise positive about this book.

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Marni H
2/12/2020 02:43:55 pm

We purchased "Dragons" a few months ago, then saw "Finding Narnia" and quickly purchased that as well. We love them! Our family loves both authors and the worlds they created, and you've done a wonderful job of giving a taste of the authors and how they became who they are. It's hard for me to understand the 4-8 age listing on picture books. I read them with all my children, 6 to 21! Plus myself of course. :) Maybe someone in books needs to look at the Lego system of aging things.

I'm actually working on a picture book biography myself (way too long in my head, in the active writing stage now working towards #pbpitch), and yours are beautiful examples to me.

I hope you've got more wonderful works ahead!

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    Caroline McAlister

    Caroline is an avid reader, children's writer, and teacher. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and dog. Check out her bio for more!

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