Peter Pan (Puffin Chalk) Paperback – Deckle Edge, 25 Sept. 2014

This is one of my favourite children's books. It has everything you want in a children's book: adventure, magic, pirates, fairies, etc. However, if you haven't already, read it as an adult and you will be able to see that the book has a much darker tone. You can begin to see Peter as a much more sinister character. He's impatient, selfish, and a bit of a sociopath - all the things that should be implicated when presenting a child who never grows up. It really makes the book a lot more interesting for adults, while it isn't so obvious that children can't enjoy it too.

This is a wonderful complex and enchanting story. However there are themes that will need to be discussed with a younger reader - the position and role of women in society and the portrayal of native Americans being the most significant.

I had seen Walt Disney's animated film of Peter Pan with my aunt when I was about 8 years old and, like hundreds of other kids, enjoyed it immensely. The characters, memorable on the screen, including Nana, the dog, the ticking crocodile, Smee, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell were funny, fascinating, visually appealing and the story was fantastic - everyone at sometime or other wants to fly or stay young and perhaps live forever and live on a tropical island with Red Indians, don't they? I had never read the J M Barrie classic although a copy had sat on a shelf in my bedroom for many years. A relation recommended The Nightmare Stone but told me to read this classic first. Of course, when I began to read, the Walt Disney images came to mind, but the story is quite dark and Peter Pan isn't such a pleasant character after all. In fact, only Wendy and her brothers, John and Michael, shone through as... well, normal. The writing style is a bit dated now, but is easy to read, uncomplicated and gripping. It's imperative to read this before you read Finian Black's The Nightmare Stone, which I recommend.

A classic piece of literature for children and adults. Most people know the story but very few read the actual book. This book led to the term 'Wendy House 'entering the English language. The character of Peter is both sad and slightly bad but the book lets us know that parents are an essential part of a childs life and that nothing is as sad as the loss of a child. Captain Hook, a most well known villain is basically evil but you wonder about his upbringing and the influences that shaped his character. A book with some very out dated ideas and morals but a timeless piece of work none the less.

My colleagues and i were doing fancy dress for world book day and i decided to brush up on the story. Not my style of book at all and at times i found it difficult to follow and not an easy childrens book at all. It's definitely a classic, and written as such. But be aware, of the time ti was written, and as such, the style it is written in.

This just arrived in the post today with the Barnes & Noble leather bound edition of King Arthur & I honestly couldn't be more delighted. It is a stunning book. The cover is mint green in colour with a gorgeous illustration of Peter, Wendy, John and Michael flying, in black and silver set against the green. The leather binding and spine are wonderful as are the silver lined pages which really top the look off. It looks fantastic when placed on the bookshelf. As for the story itself, it is captivating. I've read a little of Peter Pan before and adore every movie version I've seen as well as the stage production I saw two years ago. A story of a boy never growing up and living in the wonderful Neverland never gets old and takes me right back to my childhood. Overall an excellent purchase. I can't wait to buy more of the Barnes & Noble leather bound editions - really fantastic design :)

A wonderful book, beautifully bound and good quality paper. The illustrations are delightful.

Good value for money