The illustrators
Peter Pan was a theatrical play first, premiering in 1904, with female actors playing the role of Peter. It wasn’t until 1911 that J.M. Barrie published Peter Pan and Wendy as the chapter book we know, with illustrations by F.D. Bedford. However, he was not exactly the original illustrator, the work having been published in picture book form and illustrated by Alice B, Woodward in 1907, before the chapter book had been written, not to mention the myriads of illustrated play bills and theatrical posters accompanying performances.
Ten years after F.D. Bedford’s superbly detailed illustrations, Mabel Lucie Attwell gave it her gentle, cutesy, colorful touch, and from there it took flight, attracting flocks of illustrators, both classic and modern, which I have tried my best to bring to you here.
Leira Salaberria
This extremely purple edition has the most wonderful illustrations by Spanish illustrator Leira Salaberria, who, in spite of the exterior gives it a very autumnal feel. It includes Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, the only book on this list to do so. It comes with a beautifully decorated slip case. I love it and have added this one to my collection!
Arcturus, 2019
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∞ Amazon
Robert Ingpen
Australian illustrator Robert Ingpen has a series of classic works that he has beautifully and meticulously illustrated, and his Peter Pan and Wendy is yet another beautiful masterpiece in his Classic Series of books – Click here for a full list. This version also has a very interesting introduction by J.M. Barrie’s closest living relative, David Barrie.
*Do note there is also an adapted version, so be cautious when purchasing!
Welbeck Editions, 2019
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Silke Leffler
How wonderful are these illustrations by German illustrator Silke Leffler?!!! Her Peter Pan is playful and creative, and I love the patterns she places on the toadstools! This is one of the more lavishly illustrated versions on this list, with an illustration on almost every other page. I also love how she imagined Peter’s kite as a dragon!
North South Books, 2016
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∞ Abebooks
MINALIMA
The very first of Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina’s interactive classics series, this version shows signs of its being the novice, as, although wonderful, it is a little sparser illustrated than books that came later. Nonetheless, it is still absolutely magical. My son, who got this for me as a Mother’s Day gift last year, LOVED it.
I also owe it to this version for making me realize this is a great autumnal classic!
Harper Design, 2015
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Scott Gustafson
Don’t be put off by the unremarkable cover…this book is a beauty! Scott Gustafson spent over four years creating the fifty oil paintings found in this version! It may very well be my favorite illustrated version in fact! When I first saw the interior illustration, I was absolutely blown away with the sharpness of detail – it is a feast for the imagination!
Viking Penguin, 1991
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Michael Foreman
Michael Foreman’s illustrations are always to be found colorful and light, and so have become one of my top recommended illustrators when reading to younger children! His Peter Pan & Wendy is no exception, with many a lovely full-page illustration, and illustrated chapter headings. I also love the use of pinks in the illustrations, which feels like a nod towards the narrative’s theme of motherly love.
Clarkson N. Potter, 1988
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Jan Ormerod
I wanted to highlight my favorite paperback version, for those of you who prefer the lightness and ease these compact books provide. Jan Ormerod’s B&W line drawings are prolific, unique, and overall just “Darling” 🙂
FYI: Another paperback you might enjoy is by Charles Vess, listed below in the “Other” section. Amazing artwork, but a bit sparser than Jan Ormerod’s pictured here.
Puffin Books, 1988
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Michael Hague
Michael Hague writes that he strives to create a whole ‘other world’ in his artwork, and, his Peter Pan is definitely otherworldly – he is wild! Unbrushed hair and almost always sporting an unusual expression, this kid is truly a child of the forest!
Henry Holt and Company, New York 1987, 100th Anniversary Edition
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Greg Hildebrandt
Master of fantasy art Greg Hildebrandt uses real people as character models which he paints into each illustration, and the effect is stunning. Be prepared to fall into the pages!
The Unicorn Publishing House, 1987
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Trina Schart Hyman
Trina Schart Hyman is an American illustrator who’s work can be seen throughout the world of classic children’s stories. Her version of Peter Pan is classy, cute, with both a modern and vintage feel. I love her Tiger Lily! There are a ton of illustrations, two or three per chapter. This is a favorite!
Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1980
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For newer, 2014 Atheneum Books for Young Readers edition: Amazon
Original and Golden Age Illustrators
Francis D. Bedford - Original!
When Barrie first published his novel Peter and Wendy in 1911, British illustrator Francis D. Bedford, who had originally trained as an architect, created twelve pen-and-ink plates, as well as a gorgeous title illustration (which oddly enough, is left out of the two books picture here). His work was so fine that the majority of robust Peter Pan publications still feature his artwork today.
His illustrations remained the only to accompany this classic, until 1921, when Mabel Lucie Attwell’s sweet, colored images began to make an appearance (see Compilation of Classic Illustrators by Cooper Edens below).
Note: The aforementioned, missing title page illustration can be found in the Cooper Edens title below. The Annotated Peter Pan listed at the end of this post, also has it, along with all twelve of his illustrations.
Barnes & Nobles, 2014
Everyman’s Library Childrens Classics, 1992
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∞ Abebooks (Everyman’s Library edition)
Classic Illustrators Compiled by Cooper Edens
If you are a lover of classic early-twentieth century-illustration, you will adore this version. In fact, this was the first Peter Pan I read to my son. It is chock full of beautiful artwork carefully chosen by Cooper Edens and includes playbill and poster artwork from the original stage production in 1904.
Mabel Lucie Attwell, Arthur Rackham, and my personal favorite, Gwynedd Hudson, as well as more than thirteen other illustrators have works included.
Chronicle Books, 2000
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Other Peter Pan Illustrators
Here are others that I didn’t feature above but are still worth mentioning – I’ve included stand-alone versions of classic illustrators whose artwork can be found in the Cooper Edens version above. I also leave out some of the versions and include them in this section because they are just too difficult to find, or because I felt the illustrations didn’t work for this blog’s target audience, for example. the number of illustrations might be too few, or the presence of insensitive cultural depictions, or images that just feel too mature (See notes below each image). Look for these on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, Alibris Books, Abebooks, or find them on internet archives or from your local bookstore or library!
Scroll left to see them all!
Adapted Retellings
Peter Pan and Wendy retold by May Byron and illustrated by Shirley Hughes
Although only black and white, this version illustrated by Shirley Hughes has captured my heart completely! The lack of color is hardly noticeable with the first letter of each chapter turned into an illustrated chapter heading, the personality of each character displayed with affectionate clarity, and the nostalgic quality of the illustrations filling the senses.
Originally published in 1925, this retelling is by May Byron, with permission from J.M. Barrie.
Newly Re-published 2007 by Hodder Children’s Books
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
Peter Pan and Wendy retold by Jane Carruth and illustrated by Anne Grahame-Johnstone
This version is a treasure! It is simply darling in every way! I love this illustrator, who is one part of a sister illustration team and whose works are usually found in conjunction, (see my post on The Hundred and One Dalmatians for views of their work as a team). Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone illustrated works have become something of a collectible, so I was happy to find this book still very much affordable.
Published in 1988 by Award Publications Limited
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
Peter Pan adapted by and Illustrated by Eric Kincaid
Eric Kincaid’s atmospheric illustrations adorn this barely abridged version and impart a beautiful clarity of the emotions of each character upon the reader. It is beautiful! And an excellent choice if you are looking for an abridgment that stays very close to the original. My son stares at the pictures, which are full of fun detail to spark his imagination!
Published by Brimax, 2013
Where to Find:
∞ Abebooks
Note: link is to different cover as I’m having trouble finding this cover in English.
Peter Pan retold by Rose Impey and illustrated by Ian Beck
You may recognize British illustrator Ian Beck’s work, from the cover art he did for Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. In this Peter Pan, Beck’s delicately direct style shines off the page!
Published 2015 by Orchard Books
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Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, edited by Josette Frank and illustrated by Diane Goode
What I love about reading edited versions are the details that suddenly spring to light, that might have been missed in previous readings. For example, it somehow completely escaped my notice, even after two readings, that Nana had been found in Kensington Gardens! This version is older, but quite wonderful, with Diane Goode’s happy illustrations mesmerizing the reader.
Published 1983 by Random House
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Graphic Novels
Peter Pan by Blake Hoena & Fernando Cano
Mexican illustrator Fernando Cano and writer Blake Hoena have created an immersive experience in this shining interpretation of the Peter Pan story, which sticks very close to the events of the original, with the exception that much of Tinkerbell’s roles are omitted, including the part where she drinks the poison to save Peter’s life and has to be saved by clapping hands and believing in fairies – my favorite part! However, still a swashbuckling, adventure paced version that I enjoyed reading very much!
Published in 2016 by Stone Arch Books
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Peter Pan by Stref (Stephen White)
The first ever graphic novel of Peter Pan published in the UK, and a tribute to Stephen White’s Scottish roots, this graphic novel is absolutely beautiful, and very true to the original story, with much dialogue to accompany the delicate illustration. I foresee this becoming a collector’s item in time.
Published in 2015 by BC Books
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Foreign Language
Peter Pan illustrated by Quentin Greban
I first saw Quentin Greban’s work while exploring the illustrators of The Adventures of Pinocchio. Greban’s artwork on an adapted version of Pinocchio was just so beautiful, that it really stood out to me! So when I saw this French version (abridged) of the classic, I just had to include it. Also available in German.
Published in 2014 by Mijade
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Peter Pan by Antonio Lorente
Editorial Luis Vives (Edelvives) has been publishing unabridged classics in foreign languages, most particularly Spanish, that are just extraordinary! See below video for some interior of this expressive masterpiece by illustrator Antonio Lorente.
Published in 2019 by Edelvives
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For the Collector
The Folio Society Illustrated by Debra McFarlane
I absolutely love Debra McFarlane’s work and have the version of The Little White Horse illustrated by her. Fine and moving, with fantastic choices and use of color are her forte. The overall book design is wonderful!
Beehive Books Illustrated by Brecht Evens
Although I would not choose this as the version to read to a young child due to the abstract nature of Belgian cartoonist, Brecht Evans’ illustrations, this book is certainly a beauty to behold. I came across it last year while visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and found it bright, beautiful, and very well made! I have since acquired their The Great Gatsby, and am so happy with it!
Check out this title at Beehive Books
Other
The Annotated Peter Pan – The Centenial Edition.
Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Maria Tatar
A wonderful source of information on the life and works of J.M. Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies family, with a section that provides every one of F.D. Bedford’s illustrations, and other classic illustrator’s of both the books and theatrical artwork included. Also includes many pictures of Barrie and the people in his life, as well as history on the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens. Superbly researched – a real treasure!
Published in 2011 by W.W. Norton & Company
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Author's Note:
I have never clapped as loudly as I did the day I discovered that Tinkerbell’s life depended on it.
For many of us, Peter Pan, or Peter Pan and Wendy, is a story that first introduced us to fantasy – flight, faraway lands, fairies and mermaids. But it also introduced us to reality – we will all someday grow up. Childhood is fleeting.
In fact, the character and story are riddled with this mixture of reality and fantasy; this back and forth; a “normal” family who employs a dog as a nanny, a sweetly named fairy with a jealous disposition, a pirate who was once a gentleman, a grinning, slow-moving crocodile that reminds us that time is quickly running out. Even the character of Peter Pan himself, who above all wants a mother, yet will not accept her when offered, and whose very name is a mixture of the biblical Peter and the mythological flute-playing Pan, the ancient Greek god of the wild, implies that never-ending cycle of opposing forces.
Barrie himself, was a childless man who became a father to five boys- the Llewelyn Davies boys who inspired the story we know well today.
And for me, this swashbuckling story about a wild boy, is, in reality, a love-letter to motherhood.