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Quick answer: If your child loved The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, read the other Narnia books, such as Prince Caspian and The Silver Chair, then try The Hobbit, A Wrinkle in Time and The Phantom Tollbooth. All send young heroes on journeys into strange lands.
C.S. Lewis's third Narnia book sends Edmund, Lucy and their cousin Eustace on a sea voyage with King Caspian to find seven lost lords. Each island brings a new challenge. The books below share that sense of voyage, wonder and growth. Most are for ages 8 to 12, and all are real, in-print books.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Caspian | C.S. Lewis | 8–12 | more Narnia |
| The Silver Chair | C.S. Lewis | 8–12 | dark adventures |
| The Magician's Nephew | C.S. Lewis | 8–12 | origin story |
| The Horse and His Boy | C.S. Lewis | 8–12 | fast journeys |
| The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | C.S. Lewis | 8–12 | first Narnia book |
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | 8 and up | classic fantasy |
| A Wrinkle in Time | Madeleine L'Engle | 9–13 | science fantasy |
| The Phantom Tollbooth | Norton Juster | 8–12 | wordplay |
| Alice's Adventures in Wonderland | Lewis Carroll | 7 and up | nonsense and wit |
| Peter Pan | J.M. Barrie | 8 and up | flying adventure |
| The Golden Compass | Philip Pullman | 10 and up | older readers |
| Treasure Island | Robert Louis Stevenson | 10 and up | pirate adventure |
| Swallows and Amazons | Arthur Ransome | 8–12 | boating adventures |
| Dragon Rider | Cornelia Funke | 8–12 | journey stories |
| The Wonderful Wizard of Oz | L. Frank Baum | 7–12 | classic quests |
1. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
The Pevensies return to Narnia and help a young prince reclaim his throne. A faster and more martial book.
Best for: more Narnia.
2. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
Eustace and Jill go underground to rescue a lost prince. Eerie, with a memorable villain.
Best for: dark adventures.
3. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
The story of Narnia's creation, told through two children and a magic ring. A good place for newcomers.
Best for: origin story.
4. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
A talking horse and a boy flee across Narnia and its neighbors. A fast adventure.
Best for: fast journeys.
5. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Four siblings find a land of winter through a wardrobe. The most famous Narnia book.
Best for: first Narnia book.
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo joins dwarves to reclaim treasure from a dragon. The classic quest.
Best for: classic fantasy.
7. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Meg Murry travels across space to rescue her father. Imaginative and warm.
Best for: science fantasy.
8. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
A bored boy drives through a tollbooth into a kingdom of words and numbers. A classic full of puns.
Best for: wordplay.
9. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice follows a rabbit down a hole into a world of nonsense. Witty and strange.
Best for: nonsense and wit.
10. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
A boy who never grows up takes the Darling children to Neverland. Magical and sad.
Best for: flying adventure.
11. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Lyra travels north with her daemon to rescue lost children. Rich and bold.
Best for: older readers.
12. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
A boy finds a pirate's map and sails for treasure. Fast and fun.
Best for: pirate adventure.
13. Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
Children sail a dinghy and camp on an island in the Lake District. Gentle, outdoor and classic.
Best for: boating adventures.
14. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
A dragon and his friends search for a hidden valley. Gentle and imaginative.
Best for: journey stories.
15. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Dorothy is swept to Oz and sets out for the Emerald City. A classic with a simple, brave heroine.
Best for: classic quests.
How to Choose
For more Narnia, read Prince Caspian or The Silver Chair. For a sea adventure, Swallows and Amazons and Treasure Island. For wonder, Alice and The Phantom Tollbooth. For older readers, The Golden Compass. The Narnia books can be read in different orders, so choose either publication or story order. Voyage stories are good for sharing at bedtime or on a long drive. Keep a map of Narnia nearby so your child can follow the islands. Audiobooks narrated by well-known actors are widely available. Reading a chapter each night makes a gentle routine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader about?
Caspian sails east with the Pevensies and Eustace to search for seven lords who vanished, visiting strange islands along the way.
Do I need to read the other Narnia books first?
It helps to know Prince Caspian, but the story can be enjoyed on its own.
What order should I read Narnia?
Publication order starts with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Story order begins with The Magician's Nephew.
What age is it for?
About 8 to 12, and it works well as a read-aloud.
Is there a film?
Yes. A 2010 film of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was released.
Who is Eustace Scrubb?
The Pevensies' bratty cousin, who changes during the voyage after he turns into a dragon.
What is Reepicheep?
A brave talking mouse who leads the quest to find Aslan's country.
Are the Narnia books Christian allegory?
Lewis was a Christian and included symbolic elements, but the stories can be enjoyed as adventure.
Is there a map?
Most editions include a map of the Eastern Ocean.