A Book Every Child Should Read

by MichelleNoyes on May 17, 2007

I have often said that there are three books every child should read. One of these is J.M. Berrie's, Peter Pan. In addition, I have never seen a lovelier version than the one illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, which I bought for myself on Alibris.com.
The book, Peter Pan, follows the magical adventures of the Darling children, Wendy, Michael, and John. The Darling children are quite normal children who play at make believe during the day and dream of make believe during the night but after they meet Peter Pan, the living incarnation of the Neverland, all of their wildest pretends come true. Wendy intrigues Peter, leader of the lost boys of Neverland, so he steals her and her two brothers away to live with him in his mysterious world of daydreams and nightmares. The reader witnesses their breathtaking adventures until the story winds around to bring the children home once again to their distraught parents.
I believe that this book is enchanting and worthwhile to believers and skeptics of all ages. It offers a uniquely knowing and respectful view of the youthful imagination, which not only tends to encourage the use of it, but also provide fuel to fan it into flame. In this world devoid of books and individual make believe, where children no longer believe in fairies, Peter Pan is a light among literature.