My Top Ten Favourite Books - #2

Having been completely fascinated by this story since childhood, Peter Pan has to make the top of my list.  I am still unsure whether I should have put this first, before The Blue Castle, but 'what's done is done'.
As you know, I am one of those people who have grown up believing in fairies and romanticizing everything, so Peter Pan is a perfect fit.  It has pirates and mermaids, Indians and fairies, but best of all, it has Peter.  Ever since this impish little boy entered the world of fictional literature, he truly has become eternally young.
I believe that J. M. Barrie was a genius.  In his sweet little book he has hidden so many truths about children and growing up that to find them all you have to re-read it many times.  For example, haven't you always suspected that when you were little your mother tidied your mind while you were asleep?  Or that the nightlight was watching over you when she wasn't there?
The humour and truthfulness of the tale caught me after the adventure, excitement, and the romance of the idea of Neverland did.  I bought the version that was illustrated by Scott Gustafson, who is one of my favourite illustrators.  It took him four years to complete and there are over fifty breathtakingly beautiful oil paintings in it as a result.  He captured the essence of Neverland perfectly.
Peter Pan featured in most of my dreams as a child and we had many merry romps in Neverland together.  Unfortunately, now I have grown up and cannot fly anymore, but I will treasure the memories forever.  I can even relive them by opening the front cover of Peter Pan and stepping back into J. M. Barrie's world.
I can't say enough about it, but I don't want to gush, so I'll leave it there.  Please, if you have never read the original version, read it!