Peter Pan
What can I say to introduce a character as renowned as Peter Pan?
Originally Peter Pan was an ensemble character in "The Little White Bird". Eventually, Peter Pan grew up a little (he was an infant and became a young boy) and Barrie created a highly successful play entitled, "Peter Pan or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up".
Barrie's play ran for almost 10 years, during which time a children's novel was written based on some extracted chapters from The Little White Bird.
The story we all are familiar with is titled "Peter and Wendy" and while Peter Pan seems to spring from the pages larger than life – in truth he was a character that was developed and perfected over the course of a decade.
Why it's on the list
The messages that Peter Pan shows us are lessons that all children (and adults!) need to learn. Escaping, as a child, to neverland is fantastical and wondrous, but eventually, we all need to grow up. Growing up has nothing to do with age – we "grow up" when we stop believing in our dreams.
And the last life lesson that Peter Pan teaches us? After a life of fairies, pirates, love, singing, dancing, and sword fights – after a life filled with adventure - death waits for us all. But instead of seeing this as a little morbid and sad – Barrie has one last thought, "To die would be an awfully big adventure".
Read if you like
A light-hearted story that will let your imagination run wild and set your inner child free.
Booklists having this book
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Other books by Barrie, J. M.
Peter Pan
Another classic book that features a story for all ages and genders. Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. Peter Pan is one of those stories that stays with... Read more
Peter Pan
What can I say to introduce a character as renowned as Peter Pan? Originally Peter Pan was an ensemble character in "The Little White Bird". Eventually, Peter Pan grew up... Read more