Parents' Guide to

Peter Pan

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Magical adventure has stereotypes, offensive language.

Book J.M. Barrie Fantasy 1904
Peter Pan Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Lebron12James3
Lebron12James3 Parent
May 18, 2022
age 2+

Did you sleep in the window again

hannahrw1991
hannahrw1991 Adult
February 7, 2020
age 8+
Tinker Bell continues using the word "ass" when Peter "is being stupid," according to a parent review. Parents may think "orgy" is sexual, but probably meant a religious ceremony at the time the book was published (1904). Wendy asks about "spinsters" and believes they "should be envied" during her time with the Lost Boys in Never Land (the term meant women who made clothes).

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In J.M. Barrie's PETER PAN, Peter flies through the window of the Darling nursery in search of his shadow. He meets Wendy, Michael, and John, teaches them to fly, and leads them to the home of the Lost Boys in Neverland so that Wendy can be all of the boys' new mother. There, among pirates, Native Americans, mermaids, and wild animals, the children have exciting adventures. However, Captain Hook and his band of pirates are determined to wipe out the Lost Boys, especially the cocky Peter Pan. Hook plans to kidnap the boys and Wendy, poison Peter, and make the boys walk the plank while Wendy watches. It will take equal parts magic and courage for the Darling children to make their escape and find their way back home to London.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (13 ):

This classic fantasy is full of thrilling adventures that spark children's imaginations, but some of the attitudes and language in J.M. Barrie's masterpiece are dated and offensive. Peter Pan is richly complex, inspiring moments of humor, pity, sadness, excitement, and fear. Another fascinating aspect of this novel is the fact that the author occasionally breaks the "fourth wall" by inserting himself into the story. For example, he writes of trying to decide whether to let Mrs. Darling know in a dream that her children are on their way home. This aspect of the book -- along with the archaic ideas and language about gender roles and indigenous people -- make the novel a great subject for home or classroom discussion, as well as an exciting and magical childhood fantasy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Peter Pan sparks the imagination. Do you wish you could fly? Do you wish you could have adventures like the Darling children and fight with pirates?

  • Have you seen the Disney movie of Peter Pan? How are the book and the movie different from each other?

  • What do you think about the way Native Americans are shown and discussed in the book?

  • In this book, what does it mean to be a mother? Would you like to have a mother like Wendy or Mrs. Darling?

Book Details

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