Are You Helping Them Build Their Reading Muscles

Peter Pan, written by J.M. Barrie, is a whimsical and enchanting tale that explores the themes of youthful innocence, perpetual youth, and the reluctance to grow up. The story follows Peter Pan, a free-spirited and mischievous boy who lives in Neverland, a magical island inhabited by fairies, mermaids, Native Americans, and pirates. Peter Pan whisks away the Darling children—Wendy, John, and Michael—to Neverland, where they engage in various adventures. The narrative delves into the contrast between childhood and adulthood, with Peter Pan representing the eternal child and Captain Hook embodying the fears and responsibilities of adulthood. The book also touches on themes of motherhood, as seen through Wendy's role as a surrogate mother to the Lost Boys, and the psychological aspects of Peter's inability to age, which may be linked to his possible status as a symbol of children who died young.

Aesop's Fables are a collection of stories that have been passed down through oral tradition and later written down. These fables feature animals and other elements that take on human characteristics to convey important moral lessons. The stories cover a wide range of themes, including social, religious, and political issues, and have been used as ethical guides and educational tools for both children and adults. The fables are known for their simplicity and the profound truths they convey, making them timeless and universally relevant.

Plutarch's Lives, also known as Parallel Lives, is a collection of 48 biographies of notable men from ancient Greece and Rome. The work is structured in pairs, with one Greek and one Roman figure of similar destiny, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, or Demosthenes and Cicero. Plutarch's primary concern was not to write strict historical accounts but to explore the moral virtues and failings of his subjects, aiming to provide examples of conduct to imitate or avoid. The biographies are significant not only for their insight into the individuals but also for their historical value, offering a glimpse into the times in which they lived.