As part of Just Read, Florida, a statewide literacy initiative, students in Florida are invited on a “Journey into the Land of Narnia.” Teaming up with Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, and scheduled to correspond with the Dec. 9 release of “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” the reading in the arts contest is looking for the best essays, poster art and short videos from the states best and brightest students. Go here to view the details of this contest.

NarniaWeb received this report from ‘Howie’: “TheNarniaAcademy.org is providing a free 20-lesson online study of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This is a professional resource for educators, group leaders, and individual learners. It is provided free-of-tuition and any other fees because The Narnia Academy wants to pass on the power of imagination that inspired author C. S. Lewis, and to encourage discussion and consideration of the spiritual allegory and parable in and of the story.
The course has been created with the intent that it be relevant, engaging and true to the writings of C. S. Lewis. It is made to be used by both individuals who wish to learn by themselves and/or by groups of users such as Public, Private, Parochial or Christian school groups, homeschooling co-ops, Study groups and others. Those who register as a Group Leaders also receive Answer Keys, Administration Access (online and by our dedicated staff) and are allowed management access. Groups are also automatically entered in a drawing to receive free passes for each of their group members to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in December.”

NarniaWeb has received this report from FarSightEagle: “My wife just got finished designing this site in preparation for the upcoming Narnia movie. This site is in conjunction with LivingWaters.com. You will get to hear Kirk Cameron introduce a wonderful audio message by Ray Comfort, entitled ‘The Narnia Story’. Get a chance to listen and also there is some wallpaper available in all different sizes of Aslan. Check it out!”

Douglas Gresham’s (Lewis’ stepson, film co-producer) new book “Jack’s Life” is now available! The book also includes a DVD featuring interviews with the Gresham. Gresham talked about the book in a radio interview in August: “I’ve decided if I wanted to read somebody’s life story, particularly Jack’s, I just wanted to read his life story. Not all this gobbledygook about literature, and so on. So I just sat down, and decided if nobody else would write the book the way I wanted to read it, I’d write it myself.” Order: (ChristianBook.com), (Amazon). For those of you who don’t know, Jack = CS Lewis.

GameSpot.com has a look at the people behind the Narnia video game. Here’s a clip: “Sometimes a level can come from just a single line of script, such as, ‘They journeyed across the lake to the frozen castle.’ While in the movie this might take the form of a montage of the cast traveling, in the game it could be a major event–fleshing out the world and providing an added experience for the player to immerse themselves in.” Read the full story here. Thanks to NarniaWeb Spy phil for the link! (Discuss!)

Phil from Blog.Narnia.Ch has alerted us to new soundtrack dates from EMI. The movie soundtrack (picture) and the children’s album “Songs of Wonder” (picture) will be released on November 22, 2005. A special edition of the movie soundtrack (picture) will be released days before the premier on December 6, 2005 and will be $24.98. It has a beautiful cover.

Starting this week, all Family Christian Stores employees are required to read an 18-page “guide” to CS Lewis and The Chronicles Narnia. The guide gives an overview of the Chronicles (books and upcoming film), the life of CS Lewis, FAQ, and upcoming Narnia products (including calendars, storybooks, audio books, and toys). The guide also addresses the best way to talk to customers who may object to having Narnia products in the store. It carefully walks through each of the books and discusses the Christian themes. Click here to see if there is an FCS in your area!

The versatile Tilda Swinton, who plays the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, chats to the Washington Post about her life and film work, and provides some interesting insights into her methods and experiences. Fun fact: apparently her hair was dyed white for her role as the Witch! You can check out the article here.

This display has begun appearing in Family Christian Stores around the United States. The display features a familiar image of Lucy with a lamppost that really flickers on and off. It advertises the Narnia books, “Inspired By” soundtrack, original score, and the video game.

Phil from the Blog.Narnia.Ch writes in with more video game images. These images include battle pictures in Aslan’s camp and at the beavers’ dam and a picture of an armored faun and centaur. See images here.