This is it. It’s AWFUL. Why is there a lion’s pawprint on a window? It only has three toes making it zoologically suspect. Or is that supposed to be a minimalistic version of the back of the White Witch’s head facing three of the Pevensie kids?
Worldbuilding Wednesday 6/17/26: Talking Mice (Narnia LXXVI)
“What do you mean we weren’t always talking mice?”
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 Talking Horse names here) and Reepicheep and Peepiceek, for mice. Today I’m going to go into these mouse names.
Though we get only two examples it’s easy to see how they’re extensions of a small rodent’s natural high-pitched squealing and chirping cries. So syllables like peep and pip, squeek and squip, and adding vowels between them, makes for a good formula.
Since both named mice are male and have an i as the middle vowel, I’m going to say this is a naming convention for male mice only. Female mice have an a as the middle vowel.
Narnian Mouse Names
| Male
Pikisqueek Pipikeep Chittiteek Ripipeep Squipipeep Ripinceek Chichiceep Chipimeep Ceekipeep Tippireep Reechireep Neesimeep |
Female
Teepaceek Tippasqueek Cippapeep Cheekareep Squeekacheep Pripacheek Richareep Pippapeek Teepacheep Squeepameep Tipaneek Pipasqueek |
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 here. I sense some… yearning from her? Maybe with a little persuasion she could have been swayed to Aslan’s side.
A haughty White Witch offering up one measly piece of Turkish Delight! That’s not right.
I like the stylization though, which seems Disney-inspired. I’m seeing Cinderella’s wicked stepmother here and a little Cruella DeVille..
Now here’s a very rare White Witch.
It’s a still from the 10-episode ITV serialization of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe that aired in 1967. Only two episodes remain; the rest has vanished forever, as ITV was not in the habit of archiving its productions back then — they preferred to record over the precious tape. Elizabeth Wallace plays the witch, with George Claydon as her Dwarven flunky. Episode 8 can be watched here.
Costume-wise, the witch’s crown echoes Tilda Swinton’s in being a mass of icicles, though instead of coming through her hair they’re attached to a glittery helmet. Her makeup is decidedly Vulcan which dates the production, as does Edmund’s Beatle cut. The cheapness of the budget shows in the groovy geodesic metal and plastic display that serves as her “castle.”
I call the pic rare because I’ve been searching for almost 10 years of Narnian Summers for good photo stills of this production. The internet gives up, eventually, for the patient.
There’s some more info about it here.
This is a gown is from a Chinese designer, likely a one-off used to add glamour to a fashion show. But she’s very White Witchy, and I could see her being in some high-end stage production of the book.
The next three witches are very different from the usual fare.
First there’s this odd, terrifying creature from a Norwegian language edition. Decidedly NOT glamorous. The artist must have read the book though, as she’s symbolically melting into a summer meadow of grass and flowers. There’s even a little mouse nibbling at some grass seeds, a foreshadowing of Aslan’s unbinding at the stone table. But those clawlike red fingernails, yuck.
In Scandinavia a witch is a witch and never to be gussied up.
Then there’s cover, which is the libretto for a musical version of the book, not the book itself. Even so, why are the witch and Aslan hanging around together in front of the wardrobe, which is back in England? Maybe she did some exploring and Aslan is persuading her to go back.
Here’s another wardrobe mishap: the White Witch strokes a fur coat that she sees through the wardrobe as if coveting it. None of that was in the book, but this is AI, so something got lost in the translation.
Now here’s the most bizarre White Witch I’ve yet to see: she’s trapped in a birdcage. And Lucy’s crying over it! (This is the title graphic for an abridged Youtube version of the story.)
White Witch Diversity, Part 1
Artwork by Emma Allen
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 be pleading for his life. In the background, a few gray statues are scattered, their eyes covered as if they’ve sighted Medusa (though the witch’s magic works by wand and not her eyes, or lack of eyes.)
Concept art by Bosmat Agayoff
White Witch thumbnails with sneering expressions. I particularly like #4.
Figures by David Paul, part of a diorama in Leicester’s Town Hall Square at Christmas in 2010
The classic scene from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe where the witch meets Edmund and asks “What are you?” Warm tones are used instead of the usual cool ones, which makes it different. Note the odd face in the tree like a Greek mask of Tragedy. A frozen or petrified dryad perhaps? It’s slightly clumsy, but memorable.
Artwork by Inna Kapustenko
A stylized White Witch whose costume is heavily feathered. She’s got gray hair not black and gray eyes with a hypnotic stare.
An AI White Witch modeled after the Tilda Swinton depiction. She looks older, harsher, and more psychologically brittle here. Most AI versions say nothing new about the witch’s character, but this one does.
Artwork by Arbetta@deviantart
This is actually a Snow Queen, but she’d make a fine haughty witch.
The witch menacing Edmund in this watercolor version. I like witches that have the gold crown as is stated in the book, but I’ll allow other versions if the artwork is fetching enough. After all both the Disney and the BBC movies didn’t give the witch a gold crown.
Artwork by Ben Doublett
The witch is captured just as she bites into the silver apple that makes her immortal. Note her angry, defiant expression!
This is a fashion shoot, not a Narnia one, but she sure looks like a spooky White Witch! Just color her crown gold, please.
Narnia 1979 (Part 1)
Storyboards from the TV special
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 some familiarity with them, as the Peanuts gang pre-empted regular programming. I would never had guessed that until researching the cartoon’s history. I had always assumed the production company was Rankin-Bass. But in hindsight it’s easy to see the similarities. Both the Peanuts specials and the animated LWW had the same minimalistic character design, stiff and a little jerky in motion, but balanced by well-chosen voice actors and effective music. Many Narnia fans continue to have a soft spot for the Melendez version to this day.
Unlike the Narnia movies, the 1979 version was more faithful to the book (no pun intended) with a few differences, the major one being the modern (1970s) setting for the framing story, where the lack of parental supervision for the kids was blamed on mom and dad being on an archaeological expedition. Which wasn’t such a big change that you’d think it was; after all, in the original book WWII is never mentioned again after the first chapter. But it did have a big effect stylistically. It was and still is jarring to see the kids in bell bottom pants, turtleneck sweaters, and Lucy in Cindy Brady ponytails. Fans have described it was both charming and embarrassing to watch. (It’s available in its entirety on YouTube.)
Mr. Tumnus: His ancestors came to Narnia on a Yellow Submarine?
Certain of the other characters had a 1970s, or late 1960s, vibe to them as well, especially Mr. Tumnus, who could have walked out of a Schoolhouse Rock episode of the time. So could Edmund, who is depicted with a chubby build, tousled blonde hair and round glasses, perhaps to suggest he is the “imperfect” one who betrays the others. Or, like Piggy in The Lord of the Flies, to denote a sacrifice.
Aslan was fine. The special being animated meant he could be more active in ways that were impossible in the movies, even with all their CGI.
Welsh music composer Michael J. Lewis did the soundtrack for the film for which he won an Emmy Award. Still living, he later released a series of albums of Welsh music which seems like the “right” soundtrack that the books might have had. Hmm, well I’ll guess I’ll have to rewatch it now.
The show was broadcast on CBS in 1979 over two nights: April 1 and 2. It won two Emmy Awards. In subsequent years it was released on VHS and later DVD with The Childrens Television Workshop (the same company that made Sesame Street) involved with the release.
As to why this particular version of LWW was made at that particular time? Well, it seems that the rights to create a television production were given by C. S. Lewis himself to the Episcopal Radio TV Foundation in the mid-1950s. Despite his grumping that it could never be adapted to film.
Last year I came across an assortment of press releases and other written material for this special, and I’ll be posting them here.
The following press release details Kraft’s (of Kraft macaroni and cheese fame) involvement in the project, for which is was the underwriter. The letters are hand-typed; this was before word processor days.
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 business.
This Tash has the head of a … Canadian Goose? And he’s in Native American garb. Granted, maybe he’s not a real Tash, but he sure has the malice and energy of one.
A somber Tash with human hands walks through a silent forest.
Artwork by Alejindio
A simple yet effective cartoon Tash with red glowing eyes.
Tash from a book cover. In fact, he’s the STAR of the book cover, not sissy Jewel the unicorn or the Doorframe of the Apocalypse ASlan creates as the world is ending. He has a writhing Rishda firmly in his grasp.
Art by Joanna Simon
Tash’s head in detail. Looks a bit like a Skeksis, no? But since the Dark Crystal came much later than The Last Battle, it’s likely Jim Henson cribbed from C. S. Lewis’s description, not the other way around.
A hairy Tash without his usual ceremonial wardrobe. He’s shadowy so you can see through him.
Artwork by Joanna Simon
Another Tash that adheres closely to Baynes’ version.
Art by Julianna Mateja
Concept art for a Tash who has a toucan’s beak, or maybe a flamingo’s beak, in Polish. In the largest sketch he looks like he’s taking a dump in a sack, but I think the yellowish cloud was meant to depict his foul odor, which, if you’ve read The Last Battle closely, almost made Jill faint.
Art by Tomato Bird
A linocut Tash with eyes on his wings.
Worldbuilding Wednesday 6/3/26: What’s New in Narniaworld for 2026 (Narnia LXXV)
What new things have been planned for Narniaworld for the Summer of 2026?
First of all, the Fire Festival! Based on Edinburgh’s world-famous solstice celebration, this event is for one night only, the shortest one of the year in fact. A parade, stilt-walkers, dancers, acrobats, fire jugglers and the like will entertain guests from sunset into the wee hours of the night, culminating with the marriage of the White Lady and the Green Man! Aslan, Bacchus, and maenads, nymphs and dryads will make appearances as well. All family-friendly and free with admission to the park. Tickets for this event are selling out fast so be sure to get yours now!
Difficulties with the current economy have meant the park could not add new attractions as quickly as was thought. A mermaid show planned to open this year has been delayed, as well as the water park renovation. Admissions costs have also increased as has the price of food, sad to say. But return visitors will still find new things to entertain them.
The Tisroc’s Baths have a new addition, a special section for small children (with parents of course.)
There’s a new addition to the roaming performers entertaining the campgrounds at night: Queen Prunaprismia, who will give hilarious lessons on proper etiquette at court.
A new shop has opened: The Well-stocked Wardrobe. This store sells clothing items, everything from Narniaworld rain ponchos for inclement weather days to (fake of course!) fur coats, English wool sweaters, dryad scarves, adventuring buskins, and royal crowns. It’s located inside the Queen Charlotte Hotel.
Previous Narniaworld posts:
Narniaworld, Part 3 (Shows and events)
Narniaworld, Part 4 (Shopping)
Narniaworld, Part 5 (Guest Services)
Narniaworld Extra Credit (AI generations of the park)
What’s New in Narniaworld for 2025
Summer of Narnia 2026
Stained glass window depicting Charles Williams (at top) Owen Barfield (right), C. S. Lewis (bottom), and J. R. R. Tolkien (left.) All were members of The Inklings.
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 writers, but perhaps they shouldn’t be. They likely had a huge unsaid influence on both men.
Speaking of stained glass, to the left is a window from St. George’s Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio. It depicts Lewis with a rocket ship, imp, and lion, representing his Planets Trilogy, Screwtape Letters, and Narnia series, respectively.
You can see all the windows, some of which depict modern figures such as Lewis, here.
BTW, the shield the lion is holding is that of Oxford University, where Lewis once taught.
Buy me a coffee
Put a dollar in my coffee jar for all
the hard work I do at Ko-fi. com!