This was another of the books I read for my C. S. Lewis class. I did pick it because it was shorter and less intense than some of the others that we plowed through during our six weeks and dozen or so readings. The letters are charming and funny, and it is lovely to see how Lewis took the time to compose replies to so many of his young fans. ( )

Very difficult to get a copy of this book but throughly glad I persevered and found a used copy. I always enjoy CS Lewis greatly and this little book had a very special quality about it and I found it immensely endearing. To hear both the voices of children and CS Lewis’ replies to them really shows so much about his personality and his faith.

Favorite quote

“A perfect man would never act from a sense of duty; he’d always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute for love (of God and of other people) like a crutch which is a substitute for a leg. Most of us need the crutch at times; but of course it is idiotic to use the crutch when our own legs (our own loves, tastes, habits etc.) can do the journey on their own!”


Highly recommend! ( )

A cute but ultimately dull little collection of letters from CS Lewis to kids, mainly those who knew him (like his god-daughter Sarah) or those who read Narnia. Was interesting to see the letters written to him as the series was being published. His letters discussing poetry and such with 'Joan' and a few others was nice, and his critiques of their works were both well done as an adult and caring as a friend. Ultimately though this collection is too small a sampling, and doesn't contain all that much to add to knowing CS "Jack" Lewis. ( )

This is a delightful title. Lewis at his most authentic and unassuming as he addresses some of the vast mail he received from children around the globe. I could not put it down. I had read a few of his letters to children in an anthology before but this book is only letters to his younger fans, and Lewis is a pure pleasure to read.
A highly recommended read! ( )

What a lovely and civilized little book. I find it charming that he would take the time to write back to all those adoring fans. And without e-mail, no less.

I especially liked finding out that the Author considered Susan Pevensie, whose liking for dating and wearing nylons caused her to be left out of Paradise at the end of "The Last Battle" to be simply a person who had wandered away from the True Path and might well re-find redemption later in her story. I think what happened to Susan frightened me much, much more than what happened to Bambi's mother, so I'm ever so glad to discover that her literary creator didn't really condemn her in a permanent way.

I figure poor old Susan needed comfort badly, what with her family dead in a train wreck. Maybe that helped her remember her time with Aslan.