Powerful lines from children's books

Books have the power to inspire us, scare us, teach us, take us on wild adventures we never imagined possible and so much more. From J. M. Barrie’s tales of Peter Pan to C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, children’s stories form a huge part of our identity growing up.

That’s why we’ve pulled out a few of our favourite lines from children’s books, past and present, which in some way resonate with our learning’s in Behind the Magic Door.

Peter Pan - J. M. Barrie

‘The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.’

Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan - a mischievous young boy who flies around Neverland and never grows up. His never-ending childhood takes him on adventures that have him chasing shadows with Wendy and caught up sword fighting Captain Hook.

Despite being penned over hundred years ago, J. M. Barrie reminds us of the power of self-belief, fantasy, magic and imagination.

The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis

‘Lucy woke out of the deepest sleep you can imagine, with the feeling that the voice she liked best in the world had been calling her name.’

Belfast-born C. S. Lewis is most famous for his seven-part Chronicles of Narnia released post-World War Two. The story predominantly follows (a different) Peter - the youngest of four children.

Sent from London for safety during the war, Peter and his brother Edmund, and sisters Susan and Lucy, find themselves behind a different kind of magic door in their journey through the wardrobe to Narnia.

The quote above from Prince Caspian, highlights Lucy’s deep connection with a name: Aslan, a great guide of good and kindness. In our book, Behind the Magic Door, we find ourselves in search of an equally important name!.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J. K. Rowling

‘It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.’

We couldn’t write this without a Harry Potter quote. When Dumbledore says this to Harry, we learn that our choices define us more than what we know. The choice to be the best you can be - smart, confident and kind - is part of our very own Teddy’s teachings in Behind the Magic Door.

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! - Dr. Seuss

‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.’

No post like this would be complete without a quote from American heavyweight storyteller Dr. Seuss.

Having published over 60 children’s stories, and widely considered one of the best children’s authors, Dr Seuss (real name - Theodor Seuss Geisel) reminds us of the wanderlust ignited by reading.

Winnie the Pooh - A. A. Milne

"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

It seems only fitting to conclude with a book that features one of the most iconic bears of our childhood, Winnie the Pooh. A. A. Milne was primarily a playwright before Pooh overshadowed his previous work.

We think our very own Teddy from Behind the Magic Door has learnt a thing or two from Winnie the Pooh about being strong, smart and brave.