Flying to Neverland with Peter Pan

Following Phyllis Newman's introduction about the song and its connection to her family and late husband, the lyricist Adolph Green, there's a small amount of prose from the musical that leads into the exact lyrics of each song. The story begins with "Never Never Land," which features Wendy and the other Darling children's first encounter with Peter Pan as he tells them about where he lives ("a place where dreams are born"). Peter then teaches the children how to fly (key advice from "I'm Flying": Think lovely thoughts.) The story shows the kids flying to and arriving in Neverland, accompanied by a reprise of one of the verses of that song to provide a suitable and satisfying ending. A large gatefold that shows Peter Pan and the Darling children flying over London adds extra visual drama.

"Is a truncated Peter Pan better than none at all? Bates's (Minette's Feast) gossamer watercolors give this version of Barrie's story, told primarily through the lyrics of two songs from the 1954 musical, an immediacy and dreamy wildness. Peter is unmistakably feral — he's naked to the waist — while Tinker Bell, although never mentioned directly, is a spitball of jealous fury. Today's overscheduled children should find the lyrics as seductive and heart-tugging as did their parents and grandparents: 'I have a place where dreams are born,/ And time is never planned./ It's not on any chart,/ You must find it with your heart./ Never Never Land' (audio of both songs is available on the publisher's Web site). But because this book starts with Peter flying into the nursery and ends with the arrival of the children on the magical island, both its essential framing device (no Nana! No battling Darlings!) and two thirds of the action (no crocodile! No Captain Hook!) are missing. Readers even remotely familiar with the story may feel cheated — or simply reach for the Disney DVD instead. Ages 4 — up." Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Betty Comden and Adolph Green produced six decades-worth of plays, melodies, and lyrics. Drawing on J.M. Barrie's book and play, the duo wrote lyrics for several songs in the 1954 smash hit musical "Peter Pan." The production went on to become a perennial favorite with countless revivals and productions. Their other famed collaborations include "On the Town," "Do Re Me!", "Singing in the Rain," and "Applause", to name but a few. While both are now deceased, their legacy and melodies linger on--on stages, screens, and in this lovely book. Phyllis Newman, a two-time Tony award-winning actress, brings a personal perspective to these songs whose lyrics her late husband wrote with his creative partner, Betty Comden.