Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is not a continuation of the tale Peter Pan, as it may seem at first glance. On the contrary, it is a backstory of the most famous tale. The book tells the reader about the birth of Peter Pan, how he runs away from his mother, how he finds refuge in Kensington Gardens. The tale is about his friendship with fairies, birds and children. In general, the book deserves attention as it is not only about magic, but it also teaches children to appreciate their parents and friends. The rest of the characters look somewhat blurry against the background of Peter, but the fairies stand out in the context – the author describes them very colorfully. They are very capricious and impermanent creatures.
This is a very sad book about how it is difficult to be a kid. It is unbearable to read, how the main character runs away, how his mother first falls into despair and is going to wait for him forever, and then decides to have a new baby. This tale shows that the real world can be uncomfortable and some people may feel superfluous in this world. Only in the magical world of fantasy a person can build a cozy fairy house for himself.
The tale is instructive as well. There is not only magic in it, but also a moral that every child and even adults need to learn. For example, the book says, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today” and “It is very important to take care of the feelings of people that close to you”. Of course, if Peter Pan had returned to his mother on time, the readers of this amazing book would not have such a chic tale and that would be a completely different story. However, exactly in this sad context all lessons are the most instructive. There are many other instructions in the book, which will be no less didactic. For example, “REAL boys never leave the weak in trouble” and “Never stand idly by”. However, the book has some moments that can develop in children egoism and jealousy towards mothers, brothers and sisters in the family. For example, there is a moment, when Peter tells Maimie Mannering about his mom and all moms in general that they are insidious and can have other children on the appropriate occasion.
The book will be interesting not only for children, but also for adults, who have not forgotten how to believe in miracles and like to dream. Besides the beautiful illustrations in this book, there is the most important thing – morality, which can help a child to understand and perceive the right things.
