Wonderland: Lewis Carroll to JRR Tolkien

Why did children’s literature enter a golden age between 1880 and 1940? This fascinating documentary delves into the lives of the famous authors behind these works. Photographer, writer, and inventor Lewis Carroll was the originator of the notion of ‘Wonderland’ with his magical Alice stories. Swallows and Amazons creator Arthur Ransome held radical political views.

They created magical, fantastical worlds, but many authors from the golden age of children’s literature led troubled lives. JM Barrie had a complicated relationship with the children who inspired Peter Pan. Beatrix Potter suffered a repressive childhood and was forced to give up the love of her life, but still created the iconic Peter Rabbit.

Tragedy, especially surrounding children, was a common theme with some of the great children’s authors. As this documentary reveals, Kenneth Grahame, creator of The Wind in the Willows, was overwhelmed with grief when his son committed suicide. While Rudyard Kipling wrote the Just So Stories, The Jungle Book and Kim for his daughter Josephine, and was devastated by her tragic death.

Many of the works created during the golden age of children’s literature are still best sellers. JRR Tolkien created magical stories such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings which are still inspiring blockbuster films and TV series today. Erskine Childers, writer of perennial favorite The Riddle of the Sands, was a British patriot later shot in Ireland as a traitor.

So many classic children’s books deal with the festive season. There are Christmassy moments in great works by Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, Kenneth Grahame, J. M. Barrie, J.R.R. Tolkien and many more. This ingenious arts documentary delves into both the joyous descriptions of yuletide created by these writers and also some darker moments in Christmas stories.