January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day. It celebrates the birth of the original author, A.A. Milne, who was born on this date in 1882, though the holiday has only been observed since 1986. The author wrote about his son, Christopher Robin, and his menagerie of stuffed animals. Winnie the Pooh was originally inspired by a Canadian black bear at the London Zoo during WWI. This bear was named Winnie (as in "Winnipeg"). Christopher Robin named his teddy bear after the live bear and a swan named Pooh.
Milne proceeded to write a four-book series (originally illustrated by E.H. Shepard), depicting a fictionalized Christopher Robin, who went on adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh Bear, and his friends like Rabbit, Piglet, Eeyore, and many more.
- When We Were Very Young in 1924
- Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926
- Now We Are Six in 1927
- The House at Pooh Corner in 1928
Tigger was only introduced in the final book, and he was the last character to join the gang.
Walt Disney purchased the rights to Milne's universe in the 1960's, and, complete with a reimagining of how each character appeared (complete with new wardrobes), he brought Pooh to the big screen. The original illustrations and stories entered the public domain in January of 2022, allowing authors and artists everywhere to engage in stories and fanart about the original creations. The Disney iterations are still copyright protected, so artist beware.
Did you know that you can visit Christopher Robin's original stuffed animals at the New York Public Library? (All except Roo, who was lost in an apple orchard in the thirties). These well-loved dolls have been housed there since 1987.
Other ways to celebrate Winnie the Pooh Day include:
- Revisiting Milne's books
- Watching Winnie the Pooh movies and media
- Writing your own story or creating your own artwork of the original Pooh characters
- Wearing/using your Pooh Bear merchandise
- Cooking your favorite honey-flavored treat.
- Using #WinniethePoohDay on social media to share how you celebrated (feel free to tag us @AlachuaLibrary; we love to see patrons engaging with books).
So please break out these childhood classics, enjoy a bit of something sweet, and transport yourself to the Hundred Acre Wood.
“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
― A.A. Milne
- Winnie-The-Pooh: the original novels, and related (in print) works
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The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh. Written by A.A. Milne. Since 1926, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends have endured. These characters and their stories are timeless treasures of childhood that continue to speak to all of us with the kind of freshness and heart that distinguishes true storytelling.
This deluxe volume brings both Pooh stories—Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner—together in one beautiful, full-color edition. The texts are complete and unabridged, and all of the illustrations, each gloriously recolored, are included. Elegant yet simple, whimsical yet wise, this classic edition is a book to savor and treasure.Image
The Complete Poems of Winnie the Pooh. Written by A.A. Milne. Gathers the poems from When We Were Very Young, and Now We Are Six. The poems are complete and unabridged, and all of the original illustrations are included.
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Disney's Christopher Robin. (2018). Adapted by Elizabeth Rudnick. Capturing the heartwarming magic of Walt Disney Studios' upcoming Christopher Robin film, this novelization pulls fans back into the world of Pooh through a book that enables them to relive the story and revisit their old pals whenever they please. Focusing on the power of love, friendship, and family, the novelization invites readers to join Christopher Robin, Pooh, and their friends from the Hundred Acre Wood on an all-new adventure that adds new depth to timeless and beloved characters old and new.
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Finding Winnie: The True Story of The World's Most Famous Bear. (2015). By Lindsay Mattick. Winner of the Caldecott Medal. A woman tells her young son the true story of how his great-great-grandfather, Captain Harry Colebourn, rescued and learned to love a bear cub in 1914 as he was on his way to take care of soldiers' horses during World War I, and the bear became the inspiration for A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.
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The Tao of Pooh. (1983). Written by Benjamin Hoff. An expert in Chinese philosophy explains facets of Taoism using Milne's famous character and explores the world of Winnie-the-Pooh through Tao, characterizing Pooh as a simple bear who subscribes to the principles of successful living. Contrasted with Eeyore who frets, Piglet who hesitates, Rabbit who calculates, and Owl who pontificates, Pooh just is. And that's a clue to the secret wisdom of the Taoists.
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Who Was A.A. Milne? (2021). Written by Sarah Fabiny. Born in England in 1882, Alan Alexander Milne grew up with a love for exploring the woods with his brother and writing poems about their adventures. Alan carried that love into his adult life by exploring the woods with his son, Christopher Robin. Well known for his articles, plays, and novels, Alan considered himself a "serious" author. But one story about a stuffed bear changed his image forever. Inspired by his son and their time playing in the woods, Alan wrote a story about Christopher Robin and his stuffed bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, on a hunt for honey. The story was an instant success, and soon everyone wanted to hear more about the boy, his bear, and the magical Hundred Acre Wood. Today, children all around the world still read his stories in the classic books Winnie-the-Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner, Now We Are Six, and When We Were Very Young
- Winnie-The-Pooh film adaptations, documentaries, and spinoffs
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Walt Disney's The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Tells the tale of the first, unforgettable meeting between Tigger and Pooh. Laugh when Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit's house from eating too much honey, and enjoy the flurry of activity on a windy day. Includes multiple special features.
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Walt Disney's Winne the Pooh. Christopher Robin's enchanting childhood days return to the big screen. The story unfolds over one eventful day, beginning with Pooh awakening hungry for honey. As the narrator explains, Pooh's belly leads the lovable bear (voiced by Jim Cummings) out the door, only to discover that his gloomy friend Eeyore has lost his tail.
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Fireside Reading of Winnie the Pooh. From a cozy armchair beside a fireplace, Jackson invites viewers to join him as he reads A. A. Milne's unabridged 1924 text, ten chapters in all. Jackson also provides an introduction to the story and the famous bear, as well as how Christopher Robin came to name him Winnie the Pooh.* Reminiscent of the warmth of Mr. Rogers, the delight of Bob Ross, and the serenity of Monty Don, Jackson is a storyteller we all want to hear from.
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The Tigger Movie. Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Rabbit are preparing a suitable winter home for Eeyore, the perennially dejected donkey, but Tigger's continual bouncing interrupts their efforts. Rabbit suggests that Tigger go find others of his kind to bounce with, but Tigger thinks "the most wonderful thing about tiggers is" he's "the only one!" Just in case though, the joyously jouncy feline sets out to see if he can find relatives.
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A Bear Named Winnie. (2005). The story of the bear that the character WInnie the pooh is based on, the film follows Canadian veterinarian/soldier Lt. Harry Colebourn and Winnipeg the bear as they travel to England to fight in World War I.
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Finding Winnie: The True Story of The World's Most Famous Bear. (2016). Before Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. And she was a girl! -- In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war. The true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey. At the London Zoo, Winnie made another new friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin.
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Walt Disney Christpher Robin. (2018). The young boy, who loved taking adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with a gang of spirited and loveable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into that world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.
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Goodbye Christopher Robin. (2018). A rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children's author A. A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne, and his nanny Olive, Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?
Did you know?...
Pooh was not being a silly old bear with his love for honey. Even beyond its lovely color and wonderful taste:
- Eating honey can help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer , diabetes—even help reduce body fat and unwanted weight!—and increase longevity and raise immunity.
- Pure, raw, unprocessed honey is a healthier sweetener than table sugar and high fructose corn syrup. It's chock-full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
- Honey can relieve a variety of ailments, including allergies, coughs, fatigue, pain, and stress.
- The honey bee pollinates about one-third of the food we consume (including nutritious fruits and nuts).
Facts like these (and beyond) can be found in the sweetest part of our collection, detailed below (along with recipes and storybooks).
“Some people care too much. I think it's called love.”
― A.A. Milne
- Time For Something Sweet...
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Sweet Nature: A Cook's Guide To Using Honey and Maple Syrup. (2019). Written by Beth Dooley. Honey and maple syrup might be better for you than sugar. They might be better for the environment. But even better, and sweet as anything, is how these natural ingredients taste and the wonders they do for a dish. James Beard, Award winning cookbook author Beth Dooley and gifted photographer Mette Nielsen make the most of these flavors in this celebration of honey and maple syrup in traditional kitchens as well as cutting-edge food culture.
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Beehive Alchemy: Projects and Recipes Using Honey, Beeswax Propolis and Pollen To Make Your Own Soap, Candles, Creams, Salves, and More. (2018). Written by Petra Ahnert. With this new book, bee lovers will learn about the benefits and attributes of beeswax, honey, propolis, and more alongside a full range of projects and techniques to process and harness the amazing gifts of bees.
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The Healing Powers of Honey: A Complete Guide To Nature's Remarkable Nectar. (2018). Written by Cal Orey. Drawing on the latest honey buzz and interviews with medical doctors, beekeepers, and researchers, this charming and enlightening book (sweetened with stories about honey bees and humans) reveals 30 healing honey varieties paired with cinnamon and teas, tells you how to incorporate honey into Mediterranean-style, heart-healthy recipes like Honey Custard French Toast, Honey-Glazed Game Hen, and Filo Pear and Honey Tarts, and provides more than 50 home cures that combat digestive woes to skin woes, while boosting immunity. You'll also enjoy Cleopatra's milk-and-honey beauty treatments and eco-friendly beeswax household uses--all made with the amazing honey bee's gifts!
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Bee To Honey. (2018) Written by Sarah Ridley. Honey is a tasty food, but do you know where it comes from and how it ends up on supermarket shelves? Find out what worker bees are busy collecting from flowers, how it becomes honey in the hive, and the process that brings it to your table! Simple text is accompanied by large, attractive photographs.
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Please Please the Bees. (2017). Written by Gerald Kelley. Benedict has a pretty sweet life for a bear. Every morning the bees leave a jar of honey on his doorstep, and every day he has honey for breakfast and honey in his tea. It's an important part of his day. But all that changes when the bees go on strike. Now it's up to Benedict to listen to the bees, and he realizes there's a lot more he could be doing to help them. So he fixes up the hive and learns to be a better beekeeper. Will the bees be pleased?
Please enjoy this video of A.A. Milne reading his own work. The voice recording actually starts about 50 seconds in: