Peter Pan (Hardcover)

by J. M. Barrie (Author), Scott Gustafson (Illustrator) "ALL CHILDREN, except one, grow up..." (more)
Key Phrases: home under the ground, Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, Tiger Lily (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
"All children, except one, grow up." Thus begins a great classic of children's literature that we all remember as magical. What we tend to forget, because the tale of Peter Pan and Neverland has been so relentlessly boiled down, hashed up, and coated in saccharine, is that J.M. Barrie's original version is also witty, sophisticated, and delightfully odd. The Darling children, Wendy, John, and Michael, live a very proper middle-class life in Edwardian London, but they also happen to have a Newfoundland for a nurse. The text is full of such throwaway gems as "Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter Pan when she was tidying up her children's minds," and is peppered with deliberately obscure vocabulary including "embonpoint," "quietus," and "pluperfect." Lest we forget, it was written in 1904, a relatively innocent age in which a plot about abducted children must have seemed more safely fanciful. Also, perhaps, it was an age that expected more of its children's books, for Peter Pan has a suppleness, lightness, and intelligence that are "literary" in the best sense. In a typical exchange with the dastardly Captain Hook, Peter Pan describes himself as "youth... joy... a little bird that has broken out of the egg," and the author interjects: "This, of course, was nonsense; but it was proof to the unhappy Hook that Peter did not know in the least who or what he was, which is the very pinnacle of good form." A book for adult readers-aloud to revel in--and it just might teach young listeners to fly. (Ages 5 and older) --Richard Farr

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-7-- A pleasure to view, read, and hold, this new edition of an old favorite deserves space in every collection. From jacket painting, to cover (with Tinker Bell embossed in gold), to endpapers (dark maps of Neverland), Gustafson's artwork opens doors to glimpses of old friends and to new interpretations. Fifty oil paintings reveal expressive, changing characters. Peter Pan is dewy-cheeked, spry, wicked. Maternal Wendy is tender, then stoic. Even Hook is at times downcast. The Indians, proud and handsome, avoid stereotype. Masterly composition and use of light create dramatic full-page illustrations, accompanied by cameos of ordinary objects (kite, bear, tea kettle). Compared to Hague's illustrations for Peter Pan (Holt, 1987), which were dark and surreal, these are light and vital. Handsome bookmaking, Barrie's text, and Gustafson's pictures combine to breathe new life into Peter Pan's old shadow. --Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; 2nd.printing edition (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670841803
• ISBN-13: 978-0670841806
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,713 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic To Be Discovered, June 14, 2004

By	J. Fees "imaginart" (Port Carbon, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Illustrated by one of today's most influential illustrators, Gustafson's Peter Pan is a delight to the eye. His painstaking illustrations bring the world of Peter, Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys to glorious full color life. A lavish edition, the pages are filled with vignettes as well as vast full color landscapes of the world we know as Neverland. This book in particular captures all of the magic and childhood whimsy we know from Peter Pan and have come to expect from gustafson. The text is broken up into chapters as was Barrie's original story, so this edition will delight a new generation looking to know the full story of Peter Pan. Expect to see Peter and Tinkerbell at their most magical, The Darling children at their most adventuresome and Hook at his most dreadful in this classic brought to life by a favorite illustrator.A+

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely version., April 4, 2000

By	Karen L. Vandusen "cloudpeak" (Woodinville, Washington United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Peter Pan is among my favorite children's tales. This a particularly lovely version because it's unabridged and has beautiful illustrations. In this version, the story and characters take on a rich quality that is missing in the Disney and other shorter version. Nonetheless, I think the the original version of the story is better appreciated by teens and adults. For young children, some of the shortened versions work better. As your own Peter Pans start to grow up, hand them a copy of this book. Maybe they'll learn to fly in their imaginations for at least a little while longer!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story full of simple childhood joy and merriment, November 4, 2001

By	Jennifer "reader" - See all my reviews

I have always loved the Disney animation of Peter Pan and often walked by this book in the library with a curious smile. This is a really classical children's story - beautifully told by J. M. Barrie. He has a unique touch that brings young characters to life in a highly entertaining perspective. It's really amusing - all the adventures that the children have and all their different personalities, in constant change and development. The book was written in the early 1900's so the tone is a bit old-fashioned, the way I like it ;-)

Neverland is a very mystical place, inhabited by magic and villains. It's like a virtual land of survival and play open only to children and imagination. Now I must comment on the characters: Wendy is very sweet and angelic (sometimes too good - but I still can't get over Tinkerbell trying to kill her!), John is dignified and honorable, and of course we have adorable baby Michael. Peter himself is much more adorable in the book with his heroic airs and moments of relapse. They are the main characters and through their point of view come the adults, which is very cute. The book shows how sweet and innocent and precious childhood is, and even if you consider this too juvenile, I say it serves as a delightful reverie and a sensational adventure for all ages!! I actually read this book 2 yrs. ago but it's still a pleasant memory.