I had the chance to read Patti Callahan's Once Upon A Wardrobe prior to it's release today. I didn't read any of the blurbs going in so I was not expecting a charming romp through Oxford with CS Lewis. Megs is a student at Oxford and frequently visits her dying younger brother. He has one request, that she find CS Lewis and ask him where Narnia came from. Her conversations with CS and his brother become antidotes about his life and how reality can create fiction. The journey will change both Megs and her brother, George. If you love The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, you have to pick this up now! Even if you didn't, this story will enchant you and maybe have you also reaching for that old classic.

C.S. Lewis created pure magic as he walked us through that wardrobe door and into Narnia. Callahan taps into that magic to give us this nostalgic story of family, hope, and love.

George has lived long past what doctors expected. His poor heart physically can’t take much more. But he’s learned that good literature, particularly The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, gives his heart all the life and joy he can desire. Knowing C.S. Lewis is a tutor at his sister’s college, George sends her, Meg, on a quest to find out where Narnia originated.

Thus, follows an endearing journey between Meg, George, and Lewis. Callahan weaves together facts from CS Lewis’ life and pieces of his classic story together alongside the heartwarming fictional storyline that spotlights the deep bond between a brother and sister.

Callahan’s messaging resonated strongly with me: there is great power in both family bonds and the written word.

This book would be best enjoyed under a cozy blanket with a hot cuppa…even better if snow flurries are forecast!

Thank you Patti Callahan, Harper Muse Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

“You can take what hurts and aches and perform magic with it so it becomes something else, something that never would have been, except you make it so with your spells and stories and with your life.”

ONCE UPON A WARDROBE is a must-read for anyone who has ever been lost in the enchanting world of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. Young George Devonshire, confined to bed because of a heart condition, encounters Narnia for the first time in the brand-new book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. He begs his older sister Megs to find Lewis, who teachers near her school at Oxford, to ask him about the inspiration behind Narnia. Megs approaches Lewis but rather than provide her with the concrete answers she’s looking for, he shares stories of his life and work. As Megs recounts these tales to her younger brother, both Megs and George become more deeply engrossed in the world of Narnia and the magic of imagination. This book is a celebration of the wonder and power of stories and is such a nostalgic read. A perfectly cozy reading for this fall and winter! 4/5⭐️—I liked it!

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan is an amazing historical fiction that weaves together a rich, heartfelt, and beautiful story that reaches down to the depths of one’s heart and soul.

I have been a fan of Ms. Callahan since reading her previous book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, so I knew I had to read this book.

The author’s ability to weave together the story of George and Megs Devonshire, their friends and family, Jack and Warnie Lewis and their respective family and lives, and weave those together with such wonderful, touching, and inspiring narratives was nothing short of stunning.

The concept of a storyline being told through reflections, memories, stories, and inspirations from Jack (C.S. Lewis) and his brother to Megs after her request to help answer questions for her younger brother George whom is very sick and is inspired by The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe is nothing short of stunning and beautiful. I smiled. I cried. I felt the full gambit of emotions as I read this book.

It is absolutely wonderful and I cannot compare it to anything else…and I cannot recommend it enough. We are all looking for answers and Ms. Callahan shows that concept is fundamental and universal. Just beautiful.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Harper Muse for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Meg is a student of mathematics at Oxford. When her terminally ill brother, George, asks her to read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to him, it changes her perspective. George sends her on a quest to find out about Narnia. Meg ends up visiting C.S. Lewis or Jack, as he is called, at his home. This opens up a whole new world for Meg and George.

I have never been a huge fan of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.. GASP! But, I loved this book! It is truly magical and so well written! I enjoyed reading about Jack’s life and family! It adds a whole new perspective to a writer’s process. Add in George and his illness, and you have a fabulous tale you will not soon forget!

Need a book that will take you an an imaginary ride and possibly bring tears to your eyes…THIS IS IT!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I truly enjoyed this story! It was so full of warmth, brightness and hope that it became hard not to love it.

I regret not having read The Chronichles of Narnia yet because I am sure this book would have been even more impressive in that case, but the good thing is that by reading it I now am curious about the stories of Narnia too.

It was a very fast paced read. The fact that the main character was so eager to find an answer to her little brother’s question kept me on the edge of my seat as well, curious to find out how everything comes into the light eventually.

I loved the sibling relationship portrayed in this book, especially the way Megs loved her little brother to the point where she would go out of her comfort zone only to see him happy.

George was such an intelligent and cute little boy. I appreciated his courage, curiosity and innocence and I loved how despite being just a child he taught Megs a few things too.

I liked that throughout the book, Megs found things she didn’t know she needed which changed her life completely and made her whole journey more beautiful.

This book holds life lessons for every person of every age and I truly recommend it!

Favorite Quotes:

“The way stories change us can’t be explained. It can only be felt. Like love.”
“I thought how we are never, any of us, in one place at a time, but in our minds and in our imaginations we are many places all at once.”

Thank you so much @netgalley and Harper Muse Books for the gifted digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

George Devonshire is a dreamer with a vivid imagination. Bound to bed due to a heart condition, where his body is not able to travel his mind takes over. His favorite of all his books is the C.S. Lewis classic, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." He is fascinated by the story, and will often hide in the wardrobe of his own.

His sister Meg is George's opposite. She is on scholarship at Oxford for her profound understanding of Einstein's theories. Everything in her world has an explanation, and the only time she has for fantasy is the hours she spends reading to her brother George. Meg knows that George's life is limited, and when he asks her to find C.S. Lewis and find out where Narnia (the land where the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe takes place) comes from. Meg can't say no, especially since Lewis is a professor on the other side of campus. But in seeking out Lewis and the origin of his fantasies, she learns more about herself than she bargained for. And she learned that reality doesn't always have a simple or straight answer.

When I heard that Patty Callahan was releasing this book I couldn't wait to read it, since I've been a fan of her other books and of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Once Upon a Wardrobe was all I expected and more--really a heartwarming story that makes you want to call your sibling and reread the C.S. Lewis book for the 100th time. I definitely recommend this book, and plan to go back and read some of her earlier books next.

Once Upon a Wardrobe is an enchanting, heartwarming story that brings C.S. Lewis to life. After reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, all George wants is to know where Narnia came from. His older sister, Megs, is a logical university student who believes the answers lie with math rather than stories, but she would do anything for her little brother who won’t live to see his next birthday. Her newfound friendship with the Lewis brothers and the stories she brings back to George change both their lives in profound ways. This book will make you laugh, think, and maybe even shed a tear. Its magic will find its way to your heart and stay there long after the last page. Absolutely charming - highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I grew up reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, so I had a feeling that I would enjoy this book, and I definitely did!
The book follows Megs, a college student at Oxford Universities, and her quest to speak to C. S. Lewis to find out all the details as to where his famous Narnia came from. Megs younger brother George, is dying and may not have long before he passes away. He charges Megs with finding this information from Mr. Lewis, who is a tutor at Oxford University. George has received a copy of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and is obsessed with the story. Megs meets with Mr. Lewis on multiple occasions, in order to find out everything she can about where Narnia came from. Throughout this time, with the help from Mr. Lewis and a new special friend, she finds out about Narnia, and learns about a lot about herself and life in general.
This is definitely a book I would recommend, and I am definitely going to read Becoming Mrs. Lewis, also by the same author.

Once Upon a Wardrobe is an absolutely beautiful and moving experience of love and hope and the power of story.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In 1950 Worcester, England, 8-year-old George Devonshire, born with a heart condition, spends most of his time in bed. He loses himself in fairy tales and fantasy stories, while his older sister Megs is studying physics at Oxford. When George discovers C. S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, he tasks Megs to befriend Mr. Lewis and find out where his inspiration for Narnia came from. Megs soon finds herself in the cozy study of the Lewis brother’s listening to tales about C. S. Lewis’ boyhood and brings these stories back to her brother, one by one.

A heartwarming and moving novel of faith, hope and the transformative power of stories. This enchanting novel brings readers not just the story of Lewis’ upbringing, but the wonderful story of the creation of the magical world of Narnia. Megs, whose focus is on logic and numbers, blossoms into a woman who finds the magic and beauty in books and their power to heal the soul.

This was a charming novel of hope and beauty, with wonderfully written characters and a sense of magic that will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers, but especially fans of the tales of Narnia.

What a fantastic book this book is!. I hadn't read Callahan's previous book Becoming Mrs. Lewis yet, so before I read this book, I read the Lewis book as I knew it would be a good foundation for this one.

This is a tale of hope, dreams, emotions, and wonder that this author told so well. It is captivating, nostalgic and just makes my heart smile. It is well researched and well written. The characters are captivating, sometimes aggravating but mostly magical. It has everything in it a reader wants from a book.

I've read all of Callahan's books and this is the best one yet. I can't wait until her next book.

An amazing story that will bring as many tears to your eyes as smiles to your lips. While a familiarity with C.S. Lewis and his books about Narnia will add extra meaning to this book, it can be read on its own. But you will be inspired to read( and reread) The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe because of Patti Callahan’s book. I was so disappointed that this advanced copy did not include the author’s note because I am curious about the book’s background and how much is based on fact.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #OnceUponAWardrobe.

A fascinating tale highlighting the magic of storytelling. I was moved by connection between Megs and her brother. She was willing to go to great lengths to answer his questions about the world of Narnia. As she sought answers to his questions she also found answers to her own questions, gaining a different perspective. This was a beautifully told story and fans of CS Lewis’ Narnia will be enthralled with this tale of love and the impact of stories in our lives.

Once upon a wardrobe, not very long ago and not very far away a woman named Patti Callahan wrote a book named Once Upon a Wardrobe. So the story begins as Megs starts every story to her brother George. George has a bad heart and is often confined to his bed. He reads and dreams. Recently he finished The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by CE Lewis.

Megs is going to college for her skills in math and physics. Every weekend she can, she goes home to her brother bringing him answers to his desire to understand Narnia. To that end, she has met with Jack and Warnie Lewis and poses the question to them. Instead of giving her a clear answer, Jack regales Megs with stories about growing up. She brings those stories to George. It is through those stories that George understands more, but Megs does not. She is one who looks for a right or wrong answer, so the answers confuse her.

The story seems simplistic, but it is the nuances and the hope and wisdom that eks out of the story that makes the story so rich. And the story is rich, full of so many emotions and hope most of all. I think this is a book that is going to need to be read over and over. I think that each time I am going to find more to stop and think about.

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan is one of the best of the best to read.

Seven-year-old George is dying. His seventeen-year-old sister Megs is a math student at Oxford and will anything for him. At George’s request, Megs goes on a journey to find out where Narnia comes from, and it changes her life.

Patti Callahan beautifully creates a story within a story to reveal the early life of C.S. Lewis. Like Narnia, this book is pure magic. I didn’t want it to end! I highly recommend Once Upon A Wardrobe to everyone.

This would be a great book club selection and can be paired with Becoming Mrs. Lewis, also by Patti Callahan. Both of these books are gifts to C.S. Lewis readers and fans of The Chronicles of Narnia series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness, what to say about this book? I have been crying for a long time now as I was trying to finish the book. When you read this book, you are very aware of how part of the book will end but even knowing it, the tears flowed, at least for me.

Without giving anything away, this beautiful story delves into the origin of Narnia. Centered around Megs and her younger brother, George, we come to know this wonderful older sister who cares deeply for her brother who is dying of a heart condition. However, we learn quickly that he is wise beyond his years and had an unquenchable thirst to learn. While at college, Megs realizes that the author of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a part of the Oxford, faculty at one of the many colleges under the Oxford umbrella. Shy as she is but willing to do almost anything for George, she finally gets to meet the famed author after being discovered outside his home one wintry evening by his brother Warnie. Lewis, better known as Jack to his friends, and his brother spend hours sharing their life with Megs She hurriedly writes down all these stories for her brother as stories to share in their quest to learn about the origin of Narnia.

This story is so much more than "what is Narnia?" For each reader, Narnia is its own place....especially if you have not seen any of the nicely done television shows or movies. But as the author reminds us, getting an author to tell you how a story develops is sometimes almost impossible because a story may develop and the author not remember how it got to that point. Sometimes a story is a story; sometimes it is a story that must develop in a reader's head. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Wiley Cash, author of When Ghosts Come Home, and he said when he finished the book he suddenly realized he had written a mystery, which was not his intention, and had to go back and add clues that a real mystery would need. The book just happened into what it is now. In all honesty, many books are different for each reader which is why it can be so much fun to discuss a book with others who loved it. Sometimes their love for it is completely different than yours.

Also in this book is the love of family, whether biological or created from others. Probably not seen as often now as in the past, people used to really get together and talk and find a familiarity with others thus expanding their family base. Often these new family membes were much closer than actual family. Meg found that through this story and it is a wonderful thing to see it develop.

Oh, and because NetGalley always does ask (of educators,) yes, this would be an interesting addition to a classroom study of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as it would give a good background as parts are shared. Actually, it could be quite good to use after students read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe independently with this book being the one the class reads together and discusses the question, From where does Narnia come? I think some gret discussion could come from this book with middle-high grade students. For elementary, portions of the book could be pulled out to use as supplemental materials to the book. (Oh, the artwork that could come from this book if read without any illustrations!)

And, as the holiday season rapdily apporaches, I think this book can make you truly think about what is important at Christmas. With the warnings this year (2021) that many sought-after gifts may be in short supply, I have seen comments about the real meaning of Christmas is not there if all you worry about are the material things; experiences can be strong, powerful gifts.

While the way the story ended is not so terribly unusual, it was perfect for this book. So the story is told not through a dual timeline but through two stories, one with Megs at Oxford gathering the stories, and another when she goes home to share the stories in their entirety. So the reader gets two stories with each trip home, I truly did love the way the story ended as Narnia continues to be passed along to others...as it is still being passes along now.

I did receive this book ahead of publication through Net Galley. I may have to buy the book to read Patti Callahan's notes on her research. only problem with getting a book early but to have read this book, I will handle this "problem" happily.

#OnceUponaWardrobe #NetGalley.

What an incredible book. I simply adored it. It was so moving, so lovely, heartwarming and magical. The love of Meg for her sick eight-year-old brother George is powerful and beautiful. In her quest to find the answer to George’s question of where Narnia came from, she meets C. S. Lewis and asks him that same question. His answer came in some enchanting and captivating stories of his life as a young boy to adulthood. And in those stories, which Meg takes back to George, they find how Narnia came to be. I received an e-galley of this book, but I do believe it is one I will be buying in hardback to go right next to Becoming Mrs. Lewis. This is a book that captured my heart and is one that I will read again. I highly recommend it.

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

Once Upon a Wardrobe is a magical and enchanting read by Patti Callahan that delves into how C.S. Lewis created Narnia. George Devonshire is a chronically ill boy who is enthralled with the latest bestselling book, C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. His wish is to find out what inspired C.S. Lewis to create Narnia, and sends his older sister, Megs, to find out. Megs is a student at Oxford where C.S. Lewis teaches and proceeds to sneak onto the grounds of the Lewis home. Callahan uses series of conversations between Lewis and Megs to answer how Narnia came to be. that will leave readers distilling wisdom from Lewis' antidotes and stories. It's a book to read quickly and then again slowly with new insights coming from the pages.

I was provided a free copy of this from @netgalley in exchange for my honest review!
When Megs' young ill brother, George, first reads The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, he is memorized by the land of Narnia! So much so that he requests she asks the author, and professor at her college, where Narnia comes from! Wanting to do anything she can for her brother she agrees to ask. What she doesn't realize is how much Mr. Lewis will help her, and many others, navigate the difficulties of life!
In an afterward by Douglas Gresham (C.S. Lewis' stepson) he says, "This is not merely a book worth reading, it is a book that will drive us through the difficulties of love and of sorrow, to struggle, gasping onward and upward, our emotions surging with us until we are brought, once again to love." I thought that was a beautiful and accurate description of the book!
A few months ago I read Becoming Mrs. Lewis, also by @pattichenry , and really enjoyed it. I would ALMOST say, if you haven't read that one already, you should read it after this one. There is a lot of biographical details about Mr. Lewis' life, but this one is more about his childhood and earlier life, and Becoming Mrs. Lewis is about his later years (meeting and marrying Joy Davidman). Joy is briefly mentioned in this book, but solely as his pen pal, as they had not yet met in person. It doesn't REALLY matter, but if you like to learn things in a more chronological order, I would recommend that. Either way, I would highly recommend you read both of these great books! This one comes out Tuesday (19 Oct).
#OnceUponAWardrobe #NetGalley