Debut Picture Book
*
Debut Picture Book *
The Boy Behind the Wardrobe:
How C.S. Lewis Grew Up to Create Narnia
Written by Suzanne Poulter Harris
Illustrated by Mira Miroslavova
Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Publication date: October 20, 2026
Print length: 56 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0802855169
Reading Age: 6-12 years
Part of series: Incredible Lives for Young Readers (ILYR)
Order anywhere books are sold:
Once a boy was born to make stories: C.S. Lewis. He insisted on being called “Jack” and loved to write and draw with his older brother. But after his mother died, he was shipped to boarding school, where he longed for real friends and sought refuge in books. And words and stories would strengthen him during World War I, connect him to bookish friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, and drive him toward his destiny as a world-renowned author…
With lyrical words from Suzanne Poulter Harris and lush, fantastical art from Mira Miroslavova, The Boy Behind the Wardrobe goes beyond the traditional picture book biography to explore the history and emotional trajectory of a child who struggled to fit in, yet created books beloved by millions around the globe. Like the wardrobe transporting the Pevensies to Narnia, this biography will transport readers into Lewis’s solitary childhood, his fantastic imagination, and his journey of hope. An author’s note, timeline, bibliography, and other back matter offer additional insights into Jack’s life and inspiration.
The Boy Behind the Wardrobe is Suzanne Poulter Harris’s debut picture book, shaped by the echoes of Narnia that she found in her homeland of Northern Ireland.
REVIEWS
“Harris’ biography of Lewis offers a detailed, sensitive account of his early years in Ireland … This beautifully designed and elegantly illustrated book will interest the many young people who enjoy The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
—American Library Association Booklist STARRED REVIEW
“This stunningly illustrated picture book biography leans into the influences and circumstances that inspired C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) to write his masterpiece series “The Chronicles of Narnia.” VERDICT: A magical addition to any biography collection.“
—School Library Journal
“A subdued and honorable encapsulation of a creative life … The seeds of Lewis’ celebrated creations are peppered throughout this story of his youth, whether in imagined armored bunnies or the carved wardrobe he and his cousins would crawl into to tell stories …Miroslavova’s intricate, atmospheric art reveals the industrial and wartime reality of Lewis’ life ... These pages lighten and sparkle whenever Jack’s imagination is at play.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Wonder-inducing...alluring.”
—Foreword Reviews