Winnie the Pooh stories are among the few classics that should be read as a child and also as an adult. The messages and tender words ‘stick’. The characters are beloved.
I was thrilled to discover the book, “Finding Winnie”, by Lindsay Mattick.
This is the true story of Winnie the Pooh, the bear that became famous in WWI before he went to the London zoo. It is captivating, with real photos and beautiful illustrations. The reader is immediately drawn to the soldier Harry Colebourn on the train in Canada to fight in the war, and finding a bear cub.
Joy Lennick’s delightful post opens the door to author A.A. Milne, his son, and Pooh’s many animal companions. The ending is some of the best words in the stories. These quotes have become words to live by.
Every now and then I pontificate on the power and magic of words. Those twenty-six little letters have faithfully served us ever since “Adam” said Ugg to “Eve.” And, in what variety! True and Fairy tales… Sci-Fi and Paranormal, Murder and Mystery, Love and Romance, Historical, et al – all cater to different literary tastes.
What led to writing today’s post was reading about Alan Alexander Milne and his Pooh stories. The House on Pooh Corner (1928), and Winnie the Pooh in particular. Without Milne, Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and the rest of the gang, would have been lost to so many fans. Christopher Robin, Pooh’s human companion, was named after Milne’s own son. Sadly, Christopher was not happy about his inescapable connection to the popular books as he grew older. Winnie the Pooh was based on his teddy bear. Also on his infant bed, were a stuffed piglet, a tiger…
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A Teacher's Reflections 
Milne’s personal story and quotes are well-known and much celebrated here. And Winnie is something of a ‘national treasure’. We can even visit 100-Acre Wood!
https://www.visitengland.com/experience/play-pooh-sticks-ashdown-forest#
Best wishes, Pete.
I’m glad to know Pooh is a ‘national treasure’ in England, as it should be. It’s rather sad that Milne’s son wasn’t keen on the books. In America Disney helped make Winnie the Pooh well known. Fortunately the books remain very popular.
Speaking of books, “Finding Winnie” is fascinating. I hope this backstory is part of what is celebrated as well. Best to you, Pete.
You may find it hard to believe but when I was a young woman I went out with a man from India who wanted to marry me.I took him home to meet my parents, but when I discovered the man in question had never read Winnie the Pooh I realised that the cultural differences were too great and turned him down.
What a powerful story! I completely understand. Thank you, Julie.
I love how the little bear from Winnipeg became the inspiration for the famous Winnie the Poo of the stories we all love.
I do, too! Thanks so much, Darlene.
Well, Pooh bear is my absolute favourite 🥰🥰🥰
Yes!!! ❤️
My children loved Winnie the Pooh and my grandchildren do too! Such a genius! So simple yet so powerful.
The power of words – symbols and nuance. They make pictures out of thin air.
Yes, simple + powerful = genius. Words can paint incredible pictures.
Amazing post!
Thank you!
There are many great quotes by Pooh, and the gang. Even grumpy Eyeore has a few good ones.
Yes, there are so many! Milne was a genius who really understood children. Your grandchildren will LOVE the book “Finding Winnie”. What a story!
So interesting. I actually grew up on another famous bear, not Winnie. Smokey the bear. I made my mother read me that book almost every night. For some reason I was never introduced to Winnie the Pooh. I guess I need to make up for it.
I grew up with Smokey the Bear, too! I can still sing the song. He was a bit scary with his deep voice, but I loved him. Winnie the Pooh wasn’t part of my childhood (sadly), but he was as soon as I had children and began teaching preschool. Thanks, Luanne.
Wow, so you know my childhood, Jennie! I didn’t read Winnie the Pooh until I after I taught my first children’s lit college course. They kind of threw me into that course with no background at all, other than literature in general. Then I loved it, stayed with it, and learned on my own. I stayed a step or two ahead of my students the whole way haha. Now I am wondering if I still have my Smokey book. I loved the whole idea of that bear cub living with the ranger’s family!
Thanks for sharing that story, Luanne. I’m glad you enjoyed teaching children’s lit. And I hope you find that Smokey book. 🙂
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
My mother’s edition of Winne the Pooh from the 1930s was the first book I ever read. I was in the first grade and bored silly with Look, Jane, look. See Spot run.
Lucky you! I hope you still have the book. I was not a good reader as a child. My mother never read to her children, although she was a voracious reader. Interesting. In first grade the Dick and Jane books were my level. I really embraced Pooh and his friends when I had children and began teaching preschool. It’s never too late. 🙂
Yes, I do still have the book!
Hooray!
🙂
Jennie, thank you for this wonderful post!
I know you like quotations. This one hit me like a thunderbolt.
My children were brought up on Winnie the Pooh and I used to read the stories as a treat to my primary age class with allll the voices. We also play pooh sticks as a family and I read the stories to the grandsons when they were younger, too. I’m hoping to visit Ashdown Forest one of these days…
How wonderful!!
Oh no. Now I am singing “Smoky the Bear.” That will teach me to read comments! Milne’s poems were the first ones I memorized as a very small child. They still come in handy, especially “now I am six I am clever as clever so I think I’ll stay six now forever and ever.”
I do love Pooh bear and the simple, clear right and wrong in the 100 acre woods. Such lovable characters.
This song always gets me choked up a bit, silly I know.
Kenny Loggins – Return to Pooh Corner:
I feel the same way. And, I love that song! Many thanks.
I fully agree with Pete’s comment. Winnie the Pooh is a must read, for children of all ages. Michael
Yes, indeed!
:-))