Which C.S. Lewis book was the first Narnia story published?

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first Narnia story published by C.S. Lewis. It appeared in 1950 and introduced readers to the magical land accessed through a wardrobe.

The novel follows the four Pevensie children—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—during the Second World War. Lucy discovers Narnia first, and the others later enter the world, where they encounter the White Witch and a long winter. The story combines adventure, folklore, Christian symbolism, and themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and courage.

The book was the first published Narnia novel, but later editions and reading guides often place The Magician’s Nephew first in the fictional chronology. That earlier-set novel was published in 1955. This difference between publication order and story chronology is the main source of confusion about which Narnia book came first.