Talking Animal names in Narnia follow two patterns. The first are descriptive and in English, like Pattertwig or Slinkey. The second are from the natural sounds the animal makes. Lewis never calls it a language, though that is surely what it is. Examples are the names Bree and Hwin for horses (I go into …
Category: Fantasy
White Witch Diversity, Part 2
Sometimes it’s the simplest White Witch portraits that are the most effective, like this one here, which substitutes glacial green for the ubiquitous blue tones that are usually used for the background. It’s part of a homeschool art lesson. Another simple, yet effective, witch, with a gray or pewter cast. She seems not so evil …
White Witch Diversity, Part 1
Once again it’s time to present some notable and unusual depictions of the White Witch that I’ve discovered over the past year. Like this one, above, that’s suitable for a professionally published children’s book. The artist gave her no iris or pupils, which makes for a scary touch. Edmund looks very small and seems to …
Narnia 1979 (Part 1)
There’s been only one animated version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and it was made by Bill Melendez of all people — who owned the same animation studio that made most of the Charlie Brown specials broadcast on American TV during the 1970s. If you were a child then, you probably have …
Jumpin’ Jack Tash
Here’s some more depictions I found of Narnia’s favorite baddie, Tash! The illustration above, by Trenton Long, adheres both to the book and Pauline Baynes’ iconic illustration. Tall, skinny, with man-snatching Bandersnatch claws, plus that pectoral collar and scraggly loincloth. The head is more pterosaur-like than avian, but his expression says he’s full of evil …
Summer of Narnia 2026
The Summer of Narnia begins yet again. This year, there’s plenty of excitement as Greta Garwig’s Magician’s Nephew movie continues to film and interest in Narnia is again beginning to crest. Above is a stained glass designed by Marc Burckhardt depicted the Inklings’ best known members. Williams and Barfield are less known than the two …
Worldbuilding Wednesday 5/26/26: Magic of the Five Senses (The Box of Breath Weaponry)
I’m giving this magic item of the Taste School its own entry, because frankly it’s such a neat concept. One of best-known enchanted items native to the Five Senses magic system, The Box of Breath Weaponry comes in many sizes and shapes. Basically, it’s a lidded or latched container, of any shape, divided into at …
Worldbuilding Wednesday 3/4/26: Magic of the Five Senses (The School of Smell)
I went only minimally into the School of Smell in the WW post for 1-14-26. Today I’ll go into further detail. The School of Smell is considered one of the minor schools, along with Taste and Touch. This isn’t to say the sense is valued less, only that Sight and Hearing are more popular with students, …
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