Peter Pan and Wendy
The Book
The first chapter book I ever read was my mother's old copy of an abridged Peter Pan and Wendy, by J.M. Barrie, retold for boys and girls by May Byron with Barrie's approval. It was first published in 1920. My mother would have received her copy in the late 20s or early 30s. I read it when I was home sick for a few days in Grade 2 and have never forgotten it. It was the beginning of a love affair with the written word. The charming illustrations are by Mabel Lucie Attwell.
The Stage Production - "Strings! They've got strings!"
When my son was young and my mother still alive, she took us to see a production of Peter Pan at the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. The memory of that outing is very, very dear to me.
I will never forget my little boy being entranced by the actors as they flew across the stage and suddenly whispering "STRINGS! They've got strings!"
Illustrations - professional and child-coloured
In my rather beat-up copy of the book, the original coloured illustrations are delighful. But best, I love the pictures that my mother carefully painted ... almost 90 years ago. You can see most of the book illustrations below. If you are interested, I've also provided links to items made from some of these images.
Issues
The biggest problem with the illustrated Peter Pan, which modern stage productions also must deal with, is the stereotypical representation of the "Indians". I have chosen not to reproduce those here.
The first chapter book I ever read was my mother's old copy of an abridged Peter Pan and Wendy, by J.M. Barrie, retold for boys and girls by May Byron with Barrie's approval. It was first published in 1920. My mother would have received her copy in the late 20s or early 30s. I read it when I was home sick for a few days in Grade 2 and have never forgotten it. It was the beginning of a love affair with the written word. The charming illustrations are by Mabel Lucie Attwell.
The Stage Production - "Strings! They've got strings!"
When my son was young and my mother still alive, she took us to see a production of Peter Pan at the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. The memory of that outing is very, very dear to me.
I will never forget my little boy being entranced by the actors as they flew across the stage and suddenly whispering "STRINGS! They've got strings!"
Illustrations - professional and child-coloured
In my rather beat-up copy of the book, the original coloured illustrations are delighful. But best, I love the pictures that my mother carefully painted ... almost 90 years ago. You can see most of the book illustrations below. If you are interested, I've also provided links to items made from some of these images.
Issues
The biggest problem with the illustrated Peter Pan, which modern stage productions also must deal with, is the stereotypical representation of the "Indians". I have chosen not to reproduce those here.