Yesterday I wrote about the history of C.S. Lewis and his famous work The Chronicles of Narnia. Today I want to spend a few minutes talking about a new book that was just released which tells the story of Pauline Baynes, the talented woman who illustrated the original Narnia books. This new book, Painting Wonder, is a beautifully illustrated and deeply moving story about the woman who brought both C.S. Lewis’ and J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories into the visual world. I have to admit, with a huge amount of pride and love, that the artist/author who wrote and illustrated Painting Wonder is also my lovely niece, Katie Wray Schon. Her newest illustrated book, which is appropriate for all ages, is available at all book vendors and is sure to become a classic.
Painting Wonder by Katie Wray Schon
How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien
“Read about Pauline Baynes and how her childhood and work during World War II brought her to the right place and time to do something magical: illustrate all seven books of the Chronicles of Narnia. This picture book biography, told in lyrical prose with vivid and detailed illustrations, will be a favorite read-aloud for kids and grown-ups alike.”
Pauline Baynes, born in 1922, was an English illustrator, author, and commercial artist who honed her craft while working as a map illustrator and making marine charts for England’s Royal Navy during WWII. This experience helped her later in life when she was commissioned to illustrate the maps for both the worlds of Narnia and Middle Earth. She also illustrated many of J.R.R. Tolkien’s minor works, including Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and Smith of Wootton Major. While her style wasn’t quite right to do the interior illustrations for Lord of the Rings, she was commissioned to illustrate the original covers for both the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
But it was her work on the Narnia books, which she revisited and edited many times as newer editions were published, that made her famous. I don’t want to give too much away about Pauline’s life, because that is told within Katie’s book, but Pauline was an extremely talented woman, born during difficult times, whose work is still in print and actively sought after since her death in 2008. Pauline lived a fascinating life in India and England, crossing paths with some of the most beloved authors of the 20th century, but she also suffered tragedies and sadness. Maybe that’s why her illustrations carry such emotion, both poignant and grand at the same time. It’s also a talent that has clearly been passed on to my niece Katie. As Kirk’s Reviews stated, “Painting Wonder … is a beautiful tribute.” And I couldn’t agree more.
Painting Wonder by Katie Wray Schon
★ “It’s a beautiful tribute. An accessible and inspiring mini-biography, delightfully illustrated.”―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Just in time for the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe comes Painting Wonder, an enchanting picture book biography about the artist whose illustrations brought the worlds of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien to life.
Young Pauline Baynes lives in India, a land of towering mountains, sparkling lakes, and bright flowers. She even has a pet monkey that joins her for tea.
Then her life takes a turn, and Pauline is sent to dreary England. Books bring light and color to her world, so she sets out to paint the stories she loves. Years later, two iconic authors see her paintings and know she’s the illustrator for their stories―of fire-breathing dragons, towering giants, a golden lion, and four brave children.
Follow Pauline into some of the most beloved and prominent landscapes in all of children’s literature: the magical lands of J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.
Each purchase of a physical Waxwing book includes a free audiobook and videobook version.
