RAR #260: The Woman Behind Narnia’s Iconic Illustrations
Read-Aloud Revival ®
Sarah Mackenzie
4.9 • 3.3K Ratings
🗓️ 20 March 2025
⏱️ 45 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
What comes to mind when you think of C. S. Lewis’s Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings?
There’s a good chance a lot of us are seeing very similar pictures. We’re seeing images that swept us into the whimsical world of wonder beyond the wardrobe (and into the Shire).
The beloved images of these childhood stories remain with us.
But it’s likely we don’t know much about the woman who created the iconic illustrations of the White Witch, Mr. Tumnus and Lucy, and the Pevensie children having tea with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver.
Her name is Pauline Baynes, and her artwork brought the worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien to life.
Today, author and illustrator Katie Wray Schon is here to share her gorgeous new book, Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. This stunning picture book biography tells the story of the woman behind the pictures of Narnia that we know and love so much. You’re going to want to add it to your shelves!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How Katie’s own creative journey led her to Pauline Baynes’s story
- The joys and challenges of illustrating a book about an illustrator
- Katie’s advice for holding onto creativity as a source of enrichment in your life, even as a busy mama
Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:
Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/woman-behind-narnia
📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Once upon a time, a little girl grew up to draw pictures. |
| 0:06.4 | These pictures would wing their way into millions of hands around the world, maybe even yours. |
| 0:13.8 | But who was the woman behind these beloved illustrations? |
| 0:19.1 | From Narnia to Middle Earth, |
| 0:21.8 | Pauline Baines brought worlds to life with her art. |
| 0:26.3 | And now, Waxwing Books presents Painting Wonder, |
| 0:30.5 | how Pauline Baines illustrated the worlds of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. |
| 0:35.8 | It's a new picture book biography for the whole family, |
| 0:39.6 | written and illustrated by Katie Ray Shone. Pre-order the book now at Waxwingbooks.com or text the word |
| 0:47.3 | Narnia to 3377777 and let the Wonder Begin. |
| 1:01.0 | What do you see in your mind's eye when I say a wardrobe or a lamp post or maybe a fawn and Lucy under an umbrella? |
| 1:11.2 | How about tea with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver? |
| 1:15.1 | Or a white witch in a sleigh? |
| 1:18.2 | I would bet that a lot of us are seeing very similar images. |
| 1:22.5 | We're actually seeing the images of the Chronicles of Narnia, |
| 1:26.4 | illustrations that formed part of who we are |
| 1:29.9 | because they carry us into the world of Narnia that we loved so much. Those illustrations |
| 1:35.4 | were created by a woman named Pauline Baines. And today, I've got a treat for you. |
| 1:56.8 | Welcome to the Read Aloud Revival. |
| 1:57.9 | I'm Sarah McKenzie. |
| 2:03.1 | This is the show that helps you make meaningful and lasting connections with your kids through books. |
| 2:05.8 | And today I have a treat for you. |
... |
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