Never Land Books
Encyclopedia
The Never Land Books or Never Land Adventures are a series of short chapter book
s set in Never Land, the home of Peter Pan
. They are based on the situations and characters established in the novel Peter and the Starcatchers
and its sequels. Like the novels, they are written by Pulitzer Prize
-winning humorist Dave Barry
and suspense novelist Ridley Pearson
, and illustrated by Greg Call. Although five books were planned, only three were published, in 2006–2008. The stories focus on supporting characters from the novels, such as the Indians
, mermaid
s, pirates, and Lost Boys. They include:
The books are published by Hyperion Books (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company
) in defiance of a copyright
claim of Great Ormond Street Hospital
of London, to which writer J. M. Barrie
gave the Peter Pan works in 1929, as confirmed in his will. GOSH has argued that United States copyright law
gives them exclusive rights to the characters and setting until 2023. Disney argues that the copyright had already expired in the U.S. when Congress extended the term to the length claimed by GOSH.
Chapter book
A chapter book is a story book intended for intermediate readers, generally age 7-10. Unlike picture books for younger readers, a chapter book tells the story primarily through prose, rather than pictures. Unlike books for older readers, chapter books contain plentiful illustrations...
s set in Never Land, the home of Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
. They are based on the situations and characters established in the novel Peter and the Starcatchers
Peter and the Starcatchers
Peter and the Starcatchers is a best-selling children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of Disney, in 2004. Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the book provides a backstory for the character Peter Pan, and serves as a prequel to J. M. Barrie's novel Peter and Wendy...
and its sequels. Like the novels, they are written by Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning humorist Dave Barry
Dave Barry
David "Dave" Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author and columnist, who wrote a nationally syndicated humor column for The Miami Herald from 1983 to 2005. He has also written numerous books of humor and parody, as well as comedic novels.-Biography:Barry was born in Armonk, New York,...
and suspense novelist Ridley Pearson
Ridley Pearson
Ridley Pearson, born on March 13, 1953 in Glen Cove, New York, is an American writer. Pearson has historically written suspense and thriller novels for an adult audience, but has also begun branching out by writing adventure books for children....
, and illustrated by Greg Call. Although five books were planned, only three were published, in 2006–2008. The stories focus on supporting characters from the novels, such as the Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, mermaid
Mermaid
A mermaid is a mythological aquatic creature with a female human head, arms, and torso and the tail of a fish. A male version of a mermaid is known as a "merman" and in general both males and females are known as "merfolk"...
s, pirates, and Lost Boys. They include:
- Escape from the Carnivale (August 2006)
- Cave of the Dark Wind (July 2007)
- Blood Tide (September 2008)
The books are published by Hyperion Books (a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
) in defiance of a copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
claim of Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
of London, to which writer J. M. Barrie
J. M. Barrie
Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, OM was a Scottish author and dramatist, best remembered today as the creator of Peter Pan. The child of a family of small-town weavers, he was educated in Scotland. He moved to London, where he developed a career as a novelist and playwright...
gave the Peter Pan works in 1929, as confirmed in his will. GOSH has argued that United States copyright law
United States copyright law
The copyright law of the United States governs the legally enforceable rights of creative and artistic works under the laws of the United States.Copyright law in the United States is part of federal law, and is authorized by the U.S. Constitution...
gives them exclusive rights to the characters and setting until 2023. Disney argues that the copyright had already expired in the U.S. when Congress extended the term to the length claimed by GOSH.
See also
- Peter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and Wendy, published in 1911, is the novelisation by J. M. Barrie of his most famous play Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up...
- Peter and the StarcatchersPeter and the StarcatchersPeter and the Starcatchers is a best-selling children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of Disney, in 2004. Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the book provides a backstory for the character Peter Pan, and serves as a prequel to J. M. Barrie's novel Peter and Wendy...
- Peter and the Shadow ThievesPeter and the Shadow ThievesPeter and the Shadow Thieves is a children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, in 2006. Written by humorist Dave Barry and novelist Ridley Pearson, the book is a sequel to their book Peter and the Starcatchers, continuing the story of the orphan...
- Peter and the Secret of RundoonPeter and the Secret of RundoonPeter and the Secret of Rundoon is a children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of Disney, in 2007. Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the book is an unauthorized prequel to the original Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up by J. M. Barrie, and tells the story...
- Peter and the Sword of MercyPeter and the Sword of MercyPeter and the Sword of Mercy is a children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of Disney, in 2009. Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the book is an unauthorized prequel to the original Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up by J. M. Barrie, and tells the story of...