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Children's quizzes

Quiz: Which classic children’s book should you read next?

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Children's reading lists

14 classic audiobooks you need to listen to

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16 of the best Scottish children’s books and authors

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Quizzes

Quiz: which fictional world do you belong in?

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9 books for fans of pirate stories

Brought to life by magical storytellers

Peter Pan

When Peter Pan flies through the Darling Children's nursery window one night, he is nearly captured and makes a hasty escape, leaving behind his shadow. Returning with the fairy Tinker Bell to reclaim it, he wakes up Wendy, John and Michael, and whisks them away to the magical shores of Neverland. 
 
There they meet the Lost Boys, befriend Tiger Lily and her Braves, swim with the mermaids in the lagoon and have a host of wonderful adventures. But danger awaits too, for the terrible Captain Hook and his pirate gang are determined to make them walk the plank... 
 
Abridged by Martin Jarvis, JM Barrie's timeless masterpiece is introduced by Michael Morpurgo and read by ten star actors: Kit Harrington, Martin Jarvis, Alex Jennings, Alex Kingston, Joanna Lumley, Helen McCrory, Jennifer Saunders, Juliet Stevenson, David Walliams and Zoe Wanamaker. 
 
All publisher's profits from the sale of this recording will be shared equally between The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust (Registered Scottish Charity Number SC041382 and Company Number SC363695) and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (Registered Charity Number 1160024 and Company number 09338724).

J M Barrie (Author) 
James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) was born in Scotland. He moved to London in 1885. He had a high reputation as a playwright, with productions including Quality Street (1901) and The Admirable Crichton (1902). Peter Pan was first produced on stage in 1904 and in 1911 he turned the story into a book. 
 
David Walliams (Reader) 
David Walliams is a comedian, actor and writer, best known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the hugely successfully BBC sketch comedy Little Britain. He is an active fundraiser, memorably swimming both the English Channel and the Thames, as well as broadcasting continuously for 24 hours. His love life has been the focus of much media attention, and in 2011 he tied the knot with Dutch model Lara Stone. 
 
Jennifer Saunders (Reader) 
Jennifer Saunders is a comedian, writer and actress. She has won three BAFTAs (including the Bafta Fellowship), an International Emmy, a British Comedy Award, a Rose d'Or, two Writers' Guild Awards and a People's Choice Award. She also has a certificate for coming third in the discus at the Northwich Area Sports championships, and numerous rosettes for clear round jumping and gymkhana on her pony. She lives in Devon and London with her husband Adrian Edmondson. She has three daughters who are all grown up and have left home. They have been replaced with a whippet called Olive. She has recently been forced to become a grandmother despite only being 55. Bonkers is her first book. 
@ferrifrump 
 
Michael Morpurgo (Reader) 
Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain's best-loved storymakers. He has written over 150 books loved by readers around the world. His best-known work, War Horse, was adapted into a multi-Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg and into a widely acclaimed play by the National Theatre. In 2003 Michael became the third Children's Laureate, a position he helped to create with the poet Ted Hughes. With his wife, Clare, he set up the charity Farms for City Children, and for their pioneering work they were both awarded the MBE in 1999. In 2017 he was awarded a knighthood for services to literature and charity.

Peter Pan and other BBC Radio plays

J. M Barrie

Four of JM Barrie’s finest plays, plus two documentaries exploring the history of Peter Pan 
 
JM Barrie is famous worldwide for his iconic creation, Peter Pan. However, many of his other works have been undeservedly forgotten. This collection contains three of his lesser-known plays, revisited for radio, as well as a dramatisation of his beloved story of the boy who never grew up. 
 
Dear Brutus 
On Midsummer’s Eve, in a magic wood, a group of guests invited by the mysterious, Puck-like Lob are offered something they all desire – a second chance... Starring Jeffrey Segal as Lob. 
 
The Admirable Crichton 
Crichton is the perfect butler, and the perfect snob, but his employer, Lord Loam, believes all men should be equal. Crichton is horrified by his master’s liberal opinions – and it will take a sea change to alter them. Starring Russell Tovey as Crichton. 
 
Mary Rose 
A soldier stares into the fire in an empty, dark house as an unsettling and tragic history unfolds before him. This haunting, eerie drama about a sinister Scottish island and a mysterious, elusive girl stars Bill Paterson and Bryony Hannah. 
 
Peter Pan 
A strange visitor transforms the Darling household one bedtime, whisking the children away to a land of adventure and wonder… This swashbuckling dramatistion of Barrie’s timeless tale, directed by the award-winning Dirk Maggs, stars Toyah Willcox, Ron Moody, June Whitfield and Roy Hudd. 
 
Bonus programmes include Opening Nights: Peter Pan Takes Flight, in which Russell Davies presents a fascinating insight into the world premiere of Peter Pan in 1904, and Why JM Barrie Wrote The Little White Bird, exploring the origins of Peter Pan and his first adventures. 
 
 
Peter Pan published with the support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity 
A company limited by guarantee (company number 09338724) and a registered charity (charity number 1160024) 
Text copyright © 2019 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London 
All rights reserved

James Matthew Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland in 1860. Peter Pan was inspired by the author's friendship with the Llewelyn-Davies family. Barrie would tell George and Jack Llewyllen-Davies - the original lost boys - stories about Neverland. He originally wrote the story as a play and its first performance in 1904was a hit. Barrie then adapted the play into the 1911 novel Peter Pan and Wendy. He was made a baronet in 1913 and awarded the Order of Merit in 1922. J.M. Barrie died on June 19, 1937. Proceeds from every copy will go to benefit Great Ormond Street Hospital

Four of JM Barrie’s finest plays, plus two documentaries exploring the history of Peter Pan

V&A Collector's Edition

"All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust" 
 
When Peter Pan loses his shadow in the Darling children's nursery, things will never be the same again... 
 
----- 
 
Over the rooftops of London, Peter Pan and the fairy Tinkerbell lead Wendy, Michael and John Darling to Neverland to start a new life with his gang of Lost Boys. 
 
There, they will encounter mermaids, princesses, a ticking crocodile and the fearsome Captain Hook and his terrible crew of pirates. 
 
What will their new life be like in Neverland? If Captain Hook has his way, they won't live long enough to find out... 
 
----- 
 
 This special Puffin Classics edition brings together two of the most inspirational collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London - the works of Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris and the literature of J.M Barrie. 
 
 Illustrator Liz Catchpole has selected patterns from the V&amp;A archive and introduced new artwork inspired by the collection to create a beautiful cover which brings JM Barrie's timeless story to life.

James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) was born in Scotland. He moved to London in 1885. He had a high reputation as a playwright, with productions including Quality Street (1901) and The Admirable Crichton (1902). Peter Pan was first produced on stage in 1904 and in 1911 he turned the story into a book.

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland - the island where the lost boys play. Magic and mischief is in the air but if villainous Captain Hook has his way, before long someone will be swimming with the crocodiles . . . 
 
This special Puffin Classics edition brings together two of the most inspirational collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London - the works of Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris and the literature of J.M Barrie. 
 
Illustrator Liz Catchpole has selected patterns from the V&amp;A archive and introduced new artwork inspired by the collection to create a beautiful cover which brings Robert Louis Stevenson's timeless story to life.

<a href="https://shop.penguin.co.uk/collections/book-bundles-penguin-english-library/?&amp;utm_source=Penguin.co.uk&amp;utm_medium=Linked_text&amp;utm_campaign=Penguin_English_Library_Series_26_06">Choose 5 classics for £25 over on the Penguin Shop</a>

'All children, except one, grow up.' 
 
It was Friday night. Mr and Mrs Darling were dining out. Nana had been tied up in the backyard. The poor dog was barking, for she could smell danger. And she was right - this was the night that Peter Pan would take the Darling children on the most breath-taking adventure of their lives, to a place called Neverland, a strange country where the lost boys live and never grow up, a land with mermaids, fairies and pirates - and of course the terrible, evil, Captain Hook. Peter Pan is undoubtedly one of the most famous and best-loved stories for children, an unforgettable, magical fantasy which has been enjoyed by generations. 
 
The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War.

James Matthew Barrie was born in 1860 near Dundee in Scotland. He was the son of a weaver. He was educated at Glasgow Academy, Dumfries Academy and Edinburgh University. After working as a journalist in Nottingham he went to London and wrote for various newspapers and journals there. Between 1891 and 1902 Barrie published several successful novels and plays. Peter Pan, his greatest work, was first performed as a play in 1904. Although the original idea for Peter Pan appeared in an earlier adult novel, The Little White Bird, the full 'story' version for children was not set down on paper until 1911. J. M. Barrie died in 1937.

One starry night, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland - the island where lost boys play, mermaids splash and fairies make mischief. But a villainous-looking gang of pirates lurk in the docks, led by the terrifying Captain James Hook. Magic and excitement are in the air, but if Captain Hook has his way, before long, someone will be walking the plank and swimming with the crocodiles...

Ladybird Classics: Peter Pan

This beautiful hardback Ladybird Classic edition of Peter Pan by Sir J. M. Barrie is a perfect first illustrated introduction to the classic Neverland story for younger readers. 
 It has been sensitively abridged and retold to make it suitable for sharing with young children from 5+, whilst retaining all the key parts of the story including Peter's ongoing feud with Captain Hook, his adventures with Wendy, John and Michael as well as the friendship between the Lost Boys. 
 
 
 Detailed full-colour illustrations throughout also help to bring this classic tale to life. 
 
 Other exciting titles in the Ladybird Classics series include Alice in Wonderland, Black Beauty, Gulliver's Travels, The Secret Garden, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and Treasure Island.

J. M. Barrie (Author) James Matthew Barrie was born in 1860 near Dundee in Scotland. He was the son of a weaver. He was educated at Glasgow Academy, Dumfries Academy and Edinburgh University. After working as a journalist in Nottingham he went to London and wrote for various newspapers and journals there. Between 1891 and 1902 Barrie published several successful novels and plays. Peter Pan, his greatest work, was first performed as a play in 1904. Although the original idea for Peter Pan appeared in an earlier adult novel, The Little White Bird, the full 'story' version for children was not set down on paper until 1911. J. M. Barrie died in 1937.

This Ladybird Classic is an abridged retelling of the classic story of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, making it perfect for introducing the story to younger children, or for newly confident readers to tackle alone. 
 
 Beautiful new illustrations throughout and a gorgeous larger format with ribbon marker bring the magic of this classic story to a new generation of children.

The classic story of three ordinary children who go on a very big adventure with Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up

Intensely moving as well as enchanting in its evocation of childhood, the heartlessness of youth and parental grief as children grow older

One of the classic children's stories of all time

Clap your hands for the boy who refused to grow up and whom the world will never allow to grow old

Geraldine McCaughrean, Carnegie Medal Winner

So what makes these different to any other set of classics? In a moment of inspiration Random House had the bright idea of actually asking Key stage 2 children what extra ingredients they could add to make children want to read. And does it work? Well, put it this way...my 13-year-old daughter announced that she had to read a book over the summer holiday and, without any prompting, spotted The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas...and proceeded to read it! Now, if you knew my 13-year-old daughter, you would realise that this is quite remarkable. She reads texts, blogs and tags by the thousand - but this is the first book she has read since going to high school, so all hail Vintage Classics!

National Association for the Teaching of English

James Matthew Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland in 1860. Peter Pan was inspired by the author's friendship with the Llewelyn-Davies family. Barrie would tell George and Jack Llewyllen-Davies - the original lost boys - stories about Neverland. He originally wrote the story as a play and its first performance in 1904was a hit. Barrie then adapted the play into the 1911 novel Peter Pan and Wendy. He was made a baronet in 1913 and awarded the Order of Merit in 1922. J.M. Barrie died on June 19, 1937. Proceeds from every copy will go to benefit Great Ormond Street Hospital

Come Away! Come Away! 
 
The Darling children are tucked up in bed when Peter Pan bursts in to their nursery. Peter and his mischievous fairy Tinker Bell entice Wendy and her brothers to fly away with them to a magical world called Neverland. There you can swim with mermaids and play all day with the Lost Boys. But you must watch out for pirates, especially Captain Hook. And how do you find Neverland? Second to the right and straight on till morning of course... 
 
BACKSTORY: Create your own Peter Pan costume and try building a Wendy House!

The Admirable Crichton

A BBC Radio adaptation of J. M. Barrie's classic satire about the changing fortunes of Crichton, the perfect butler. Liberal aristocrat Lord Loam favours a return to nature, with masters and servants living together as equals, but Crichton is the perfect butler and the perfect snob who adores the intricacies of the class system. He cannot help but be horrified by his master's opinions, and it will take a sea change to alter them. Starring Russell Tovey as Crichton, David Bannerman as J. M. Barrie, Beth Chalmers as Lady Mary, David Timson as Lord Loam, Martha Howe-Douglas as Lady Agatha, Gunnar Cauthery as Ernest Woolley, Lizzy Watts as Tweeny, Adrian Grove as Rev. John Treherne, Stephen Hogan as Lord Brocklehurst and Tina Gray as Lady Brocklehurst. Directed by Fiona Kelcher.

'All children, except one, grow up.' Peter Pan

Peter Pan is one of those very British stories which deals with anxiety about emotion. It's about the dread of growing up - a subject about which author J.M. Barrie felt very strongly. He then turned this fear into a myth which touches everybody

James Matthew Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland in 1860. He attended Edinburgh University and began writing stories for regional newspapers, quickly building a reputation as a popular writer of nostalgic Scottish tales, before going to a highly successful career as a playwright. Barrie married the actress Mary Ansell in 1894 but the pair separated in a highly publicised divorce in 1909. 
Peter Pan was inspired by Barrie's friendship with the Llewelyn-Davies family, and was originally written as a play - its first performance in 1904 met with instant widespread acclaim. Barrie then adapted the play into the 1911 novel Peter Pan and Wendy. He was made a baronet in 1913 and awarded the Order of Merit in 1922. J.M. Barrie died on June 19, 1937. In his will he confirmed the gift of the copyright of Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Wendy, Michael and John are sleeping when the window of their nursery blows open and lets in a very remarkable boy, Peter Pan, and his fairy, Tinker Bell. Peter soon entices the three children from their beds and out through the window to Neverland. There, they encounter mermaids, fairies, the Lost Boys, the Indian princess Tiger Lily and her tribe, and do battle with an villainous gang of pirates and their leader, the sinister Captain Hook, in a magical adventure which has enchanted generations of children and adults alike.

James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) was born in Scotland. He moved to London in 1885. He had a high reputation as a playwright, with productions including Quality Street (1901) and The Admirable Crichton (1902). Peter Pan was first produced on stage in 1904 and in 1911 he turned the story into a book.

A timeless classic story, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan is brought to life by Vivian Heilbron and David Rintoul in this abridged, downloadable audiobook edition. 
 
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland - the island where the lost boys play. Magic and mischief is in the air but if villainous Captain Hook has his way, before long someone will be swimming with the crocodiles . . .

Toyah Willcox stars as Peter Pan, with Ron Moody as Captain Hook, Roy Hudd as Smee and June Whitfield as Mrs Darling in this spectacular BBC Radio 4 dramatisation, with stunning sound effects and specially composed music.

J M (James Matthew) Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland in 1860. Peter Pan was inspired by the author's friendship with the Llewelyn-Davies family. Barrie would tell George and Jack Llewyllen-Davies - the original lost boys - stories about Neverland. He originally wrote the story as a play and its first performance in 1904 was a hit. Barrie then adapted the play into the 1911 novel Peter Pan and Wendy. He was made a baronet in 1913 and awarded the Order of Merit in 1922. J.M. Barrie died on June 19, 1937.

When Peter Pan flies into the night nursery of Wendy, John and Michael Darling, he takes them on the journey - and the adventure - of a lifetime. Mermaids, wolves and Indians weave their spell in the magical Never Never Land - where also lurks the wicked Captain Hook.  Relive the wonder and excitement of J.M Barrie's timeless classic in this spectacular, swashbuckling full cast dramatistion, directed by award-winning producer Dirk Maggs.

Peter and Wendy and Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens

J.M. Barrie's timeless tale of the 'boy who would not grow up' Peter Pan is edited with an introduction by Jack Zipes in Penguin Classics. 
 
When Peter Pan and his fairy companion Tinker Bell fly in through the window of Wendy's nursery one night, it is the beginning of an adventure that whisks Wendy and her brothers Michael and John off to Neverland. There they will find mermaids, fairies, pirates led by the sinister Captain Hook, and the crocodile who bit off his leg - and still pursues him in hope of the rest! Peter Pan originally appeared as a baby living a magical life among birds and fairies in J.M. Barrie's sequence of stories, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. His adventures capture the spirit of childhood - and of rebellion against the role of adulthood in conventional society. 
 
This edition includes the novel and the stories, and reproduces the original illustrations by Francis Donkin Bedford and Arthur Rackham. In his introduction, Jack Zipes sifts through the psychological interpretations that have engaged critics, explores the cultural and literary contexts in which we can appreciate Barrie's enduring creation, and shows why Peter Pan is fundamentally a work that urges adults to reconnect with their own imagination. 
 
James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) was born in Scotland, the son of a weaver. In 1885, he moved to London to pursue a literary career. Peter Pan, with its flying and theatrical devices, was a huge success and continues to be performed today; in 1911 Barrie rewrote the play as a novel. On his death in 1937 Barrie gifted copyright of the play Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street hospital. 
 
If you enjoyed Peter Pan you might like Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, also available in Penguin Classics. 
 
'One of the classic children's stories of all time' 
Daily Mail 
 
'Intensely moving as well as enchanting in its evocation of childhood, the heartlessness of youth and parental grief as children grow older' 
Daily Telegraph

James Matthew Barrie lived from 1860 to 1937. He was born in Scotland, the son of a weaver. He adored his mother, Margaret Ogilvie - it was the Scottish fashion in those days for wives to keep their maiden names - and, although the family were quite poor she made sure that he was educated. James moved to London in 1885 to follow a literary career. He first wrote short stories and later successful plays which made him rich and famous. He was very nervous when he gave Peter Pan to his theatrical manager because it was a child's fantasy, the first and only time he had ever written especially for children. But Peter Pan with its flying and theatrical devices was a huge success and continues to be performed today. In 1911 James Barrie turned his play into a novel, one of the most thrilling and magical of all the great adventures that have been written for children.

Peter Pan, the "boy who would not grow up," originally appeared as a baby living a magical life among birds and fairies in J.M. Barrie's sequence of stories, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. His later role as flying boy hero was brought to the stage by Barrie in the beloved play Peter Pan, which opened in 1904 and became the novel Peter and Wendy in 1911. In a narrative filled with vivid characters, epic battles, pirates, fairies, and fantastic imagination, Peter Pan's adventures capture the spirit of childhood-and of rebellion against the role of adulthood in conventional society. 
 
This edition includes the novel and the stories, as well as an introduction by eminent scholar Jack Zipes. Looking at the man behind Peter Pan and sifting through the psychological interpretations that have engaged many a critic, Zipes explores the larger cultural and literary contexts in which we should appreciate Barrie's enduring creation and shows why Peter Pan is a work not for children but for adults seeking to reconnect with their own imagination.

Everyman's Children's Classics has more than 50 titles in print. It offers the finest editions currently available of the world's greatest children's books in handsome, full cloth hardcover bindings. 
 
The library brings back into print major illustrators such as Ivan Bilibin, Kate Greenaway, Arthur Rackham, Nicolas Bentley, Walter Crane, Aubrey Beardsley, Edward Ardizzone, W.Heath Robinson and Mervyn Peake.

Rediscover this beloved children's classic, reissued in a brand new edition, re-illustrated throughout by Hoang Giang (Flower Block) 
 ‘All children, except one, grow up.' 
 
 It was an ordinary Friday night. Until Peter Pan flew in through the Darling children’s window, looking for his shadow. You see, there’s nothing ordinary about Peter Pan. 
Soon, Wendy, Michael and John Darling are flying too, soaring over a sleeping London, led across the twinkling stars by Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. They’re on their way to Neverland! A wondrous world of pirates, mermaids and fairies, where the Lost Boys play all day and never grow up. 
 With magic in the air, it all seems too good to be true until the Darling children meet Captain Hook and his terrible crew, and hear the tick tick tick of the hungry crocodile ... 
A portion of the proceeds of every copy sold is donated to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this irresistible new edition of Peter Pan, illustrated throughout by Hoang Giang (Flower Block). 
 
‘All children, except one, grow up.' 
 
It was an ordinary Friday night. Until Peter Pan flew in through the Darling children’s window, looking for his shadow. You see, there’s nothing ordinary about Peter Pan.Soon, Wendy, Michael and John Darling are flying too, soaring over a sleeping London, led across the twinkling stars by Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. They’re on their way to Neverland! A wondrous world of pirates, mermaids and fairies, where the Lost Boys play all day and never grow up. 
 
With magic in the air, it all seems too good to be true until the Darling children meet Captain Hook and his terrible crew, and hear the tick tick tick of the hungry crocodile ...

J. M. Barrie

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Peter Pan. 
 
The Darling children's lives take an extraordinary turn when Peter Pan loses his shadow in their nursery... 
 
Soaring over a sleepy London and through twinkling stars, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell lead Wendy, Michael, and John Darling on a brilliant adventure to Neverland, where pirates, mermaids, and the Lost Boys play! 
 
With magic in the air, it all seems too good to be true until the Darling children meet Capitan Hook and his terrible crew and their tick tick ticking crocodile...

J. M. Barrie

Books by J. M. Barrie

Articles featuring J. M. Barrie

Quiz: Which classic children’s book should you read next?

14 classic audiobooks you need to listen to

16 of the best Scottish children’s books and authors

Quiz: which fictional world do you belong in?

9 books for fans of pirate stories

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