Which C.S. Lewis book began the Chronicles of Narnia series when it was published in 1950?

C.S. Lewis began the Chronicles of Narnia series with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, published in 1950.

The novel introduces the land of Narnia through a wardrobe discovered by four English children: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie. Its central conflict pits the lion Aslan against the White Witch, whose rule has brought a perpetual winter to Narnia.

Although it was the first Narnia book published, it is not first in the internal chronological order used by some later editions. The Magician's Nephew describes Narnia's creation and is often listed as the first story chronologically. Lewis originally wrote the books without intending readers to follow a strict chronological sequence.

The title is also commonly shortened to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The definite article and the commas are part of the standard title, helping distinguish it from the other six books in the series.