Book Review of Peter Pan
The Children’s Book Review
Peter Pan
Written by J.M. Barrie
Ages: 8+ | 154 Pages
Publisher: Sky Publishing | ISBN-13: 9789916987032
What to Expect: Fantasy, Adventure, Classics, and Friendship
J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan has stood the test of time as a whimsical and enchanting tale, weaving together the innocence of childhood with the allure of perpetual youth. The narrative follows the Darling children—Wendy, Michael, and John—whose lives take an extraordinary turn when the mischievous Peter Pan whisks them away to the fantastical island of Neverland, where Peter is the leader of the Lost Boys, a group of orphaned boys who, like Peter Pan himself, do not want to grow up. What ensues is a captivating adventure filled with mermaids, Native Americans, pirates, and a memorable tick-tocking crocodile.
One cannot help but marvel at Barrie’s ability to transport readers to a world where imagination knows no bounds. The addition of flying adds a layer of magic that echoes the unfettered joy of childhood dreams. It has been said that when the story was first created, Peter and the Lost Boys could fly without fairy dust, but after a few reports of children hurting themselves attempting to fly from their beds, J.M. Barrie wrote in the necessary step of using fairy dust.
This edition of Peter Pan treats readers to 13 original, first-edition illustrations by the legendary artist F. D. Bedford. These illustrations complement the narrative and serve as a visual feast, bringing the characters and landscapes of Neverland to life, making this edition a delightful addition to any collection. The inclusion of a quiz at the end of the book adds an interactive element, engaging readers in a fun and educational manner. This thoughtful touch caters to both children and adults, inviting them to revisit the story’s intricacies and test their knowledge of the beloved characters.
In conclusion, J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan remains a timeless masterpiece, and this edition, with its exquisite illustrations, interactive features, and careful design, pays homage to the enduring charm of the story. As readers take flight into the pages of Neverland, they are sure to experience the same sense of wonder and delight that has captivated audiences for generations. Peter Pan is not just a story; it is an invitation to embrace the boundless magic of imagination and the eternal spirit of childhood.
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About the Author
Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860–1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright best known as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several successful novels and plays. There he met the Llewelyn Davies boys, who inspired him to write about a baby boy who has fascinating adventures in Kensington Gardens, then to write Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, a 1904 West End “fairy play” about an ageless boy and an ordinary girl named Wendy who have adventures in the fantasy setting of Neverland. In 1911, Barrie developed the Peter Pan play into the novel Peter and Wendy.
What to Read Next if You Love Peter Pan
- Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
- The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
- Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Alices’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
Bianca Schulze reviewed Peter Pan. Discover more books like Peter Pan by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Fantasy, Adventure, Classics, and Friendship.
