The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (2004, Hardcover)

Although the book would be rather bulky for younger hands, this is a great edition for older children and adults. Not only do you get all seven books in the series in one hardcover, but you get the original illustrations by Pauline Baynes, Lewis's illustrator since "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" was first published. If that weren't enough, this edition also includes an essay by Lewis: "On Three Ways of Writing for Children." The essay gives a little insight into how the Chronicles came into being, and also discusses the value of "Fantasy" as a genre for children--and adults as well. He answers the critics who think that Fantasy and Fairy Tale give children a false concept of the world. The essay alone is worth the price of the book!