🎉 Happy Birthday, J.M. Barrie – The Man Who Taught Us to Never Grow Up

This month, we celebrate the author who gave us fairy dust, chasing our shadow, and the most iconic boy in green tights!

We’re not just raising a glass. We’re flying to Neverland.

May 9th marks the birthday of J.M. Barrie, the Scottish writer and playwright who gave the world Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and the Lost Boys we still haven’t stopped loving.

🧠 3 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Him

1. Peter Pan didn’t start as a book. Before the 1911 novel Peter and Wendy, Peter debuted in a play called Peter Pan; or, The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.

   
   

2. The Lost Boys were inspired by real kids. Barrie was close friends with the Llewelyn Davies family, and the five boys became his creative muses — and unofficial co-authors of Neverland’s spirit.

   
   

3. He gave Peter Pan away. Like, actually gave it away. He donated all rights to Great Ormond Street Hospital, which still benefits from royalties to this day. Pretty cool of him!

   
   

🎬If Neverland Got a 2025 Reboot (Because, you know, we totally need another one)

There have been so many versions of Peter Pan, but if I were in charge of casting the next one? This is who I would dream of: No wrong answers!

• Peter Pan – Julian Hilliard (Loved him in WandaVision, not sure if he can sing hmm)

• Wendy Darling – Mackenzie Foy (She's come a long way since her Twilight days!)

• Captain Hook – Pedro Pascal (Who doesn't love Pedro?)

• Tinker Bell – Sadie Sink (It would be amazing to see her as a non-redhead, and I absolutely loved her in Taylor Swift's video and Fear Street on Netflix!)

✨ Got a dream cast of your own? Comment Below. No wrong answers!

💬 Hey Bookworms, Let's Chat!

Every birthday party needs some fun games.

• What’s your favorite moment in Peter Pan?

• First time you met Pan — was it in the book, the Disney movie, or Hook?

• Which character are you most like?

Until Next Time…

That’s it for this month’s Toast to an Author. Whether you're rereading Peter Pan or just daydreaming out your window, remember:

“To live will be an awfully big adventure.”

Next up? A new author, a new story, and another reason to fall in love with the people behind the pages. Stay curious, stay cozy, and never grow! 💫