Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader -- Peter Pan

Author: Li Zhengshuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Views on Reading from Famous English Scholars. It's not enough to just learn a few dry English sentences; don't always put the purpose of reading solely on improving English. Reading is primarily about absorbing knowledge, and in the process of absorbing knowledge, the language is naturally absorbed as well. — Xu Guozhang
Using English thinking is an aspiration many English learners hope to achieve, as it is the foundation for expressing thoughts fluently in English. For Chinese students living in a non-English environment, it can be quite challenging to think partly or entirely in English, but it is certainly not an unattainable goal. From my own experience learning English, I've found that persistent extensive reading is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal. — He Qixin (Vice President and Doctoral Supervisor, Beijing Foreign Studies University)
For intermediate and advanced English learners, I especially recommend easy English readers. The materials should be simple and engaging, and the reading speed should be as fast as possible. The more you read, the better. This is a tried-and-true method for learning English. — Hu Wenzhong (Professor, Beijing Foreign Studies University)
Peter Pan is the breakthrough work of James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937). It primarily narrates the adventures of Wendy and Peter Pan and a few other children on Neverland. On an island far from the British mainland—Neverland—lives a child who refuses to grow up and never does—Peter Pan. It is a magical and lively place inhabited by a group of children who were accidentally lost by adults, fairies, mermaids, various beasts, Native American tribes, and a band of pirates. These children live carefree and freely on the island. Their only regret is that they are all boys, unsure how to take care of themselves or manage household chores. They urgently need a mother. However, Peter, due to his mother's influence, looks down on all adult mothers in the world and wants to find a little girl to be his mother. On a starry summer night, he flies to London, taking advantage of the opportunity when Mr. and Mrs. Darling are out for a dinner and the nanny Nana is locked in. He flies into the nursery and describes the many interesting people and things on the island to Wendy, captivating her and her two brothers, who follow him to Neverland. Wendy becomes the children's little mother. From then on, the three children from London live a wonderful life that can only be found in fairy tales and dreams. They live in a house underground, passing through tree holes and chimneys hidden among large mushrooms. They play war games with the Native Americans and rescue Tiger Lily, the chief of the pirates, from a battle with them, becoming good friends. Peter and Wendy narrowly escape death and are saved by a grateful bird mother. The children are kidnapped onto a pirate ship, and to rescue them, Peter engages in a life-or-death struggle with the cunning and cruel pirate captain Hook, who ultimately falls into the crocodile's gaping mouth. Wendy begins to miss her mother and begs Peter to take them back to their home in London. Despite Peter's reluctance, he agrees. Years later, Wendy grows up and becomes a mother. Peter then takes Wendy's little daughter to Neverland to be their new little mother. Thus, generation after generation, the little mothers change, but Peter remains a boy who never grows up. This novel, with its magical fantasy, thrilling plot, and humorous language, captivates readers of all ages and is a timeless masterpiece enjoyed by both the refined and the masses.