'Narnia' books fly off of the shelves

FORT WAYNE -- Retailers and librarians say they're having a hard time keeping copies of C.S. Lewis' books on their shelves as fans prepare for the opening of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe" Dec. 9.\nAt a Fort Wayne Barnes & Noble, customers can buy individual Narnia books, or the entire seven-book series, along with puzzles, games and books about the stories.\n"It's a great story that a lot of people know and love," manager Jeff Chapman told The Journal Gazette.\nThe book tells the story of four siblings whisked through a magic wardrobe to another world where they battle an enchantress who has cast the land into endless winter.\nThe Allen County Public Library purchased nearly 120 new copies of "The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe" to keep up with demand.\nKathy Witwer, an adult bibliographer at the library, said the demand for the book is similar to Harry Potter.\n"A lot of people who read them as a child want to introduce them to their own children," she said. "This is a steppingstone-type thing for children who like fantasy. It's a wonderful book to read aloud"