Through the Wardrobe

April 6, 2020
In this picture book biography, Maslo crafts a portrait of how Clive Staples “Jack” Lewis’s upbringing and experiences influenced the creation of Narnia, relaying how tragedies in his life made him yearn for a better world. As Jack progresses from an imaginative child into a disillusioned adolescent, bullied in boarding school and wounded in WWI before finally becoming a faith-filled author and professor, Maslo conveys his journey in an accessibly lyrical style (“But when Jack was nine, his mother became sick and died. And his wonder-filled world began to crumble”). Stippled, crosshatched, and otherwise detailed illustrations done in dip pen, India inks, and acrylics on watercolor paper provide a lushly colored look into Lewis’s world, complementing the peaks and valleys of his creative and personal endeavors. Additional facts, trivia about Lewis’s inspirations, and a bibliography flesh out the back matter. A heartening story, and a rich supplemental read for young Narnia fans. Ages 4–8.