That's what Alexa told me when I wished her Good Morning today.
A A Milne was born on this day in 1882. He was already an established writer for "Punch" and as a playwright when a teddy bear appeared in poetry from the early 1920's. The bear's name didn't appear until 1925 and was the used in the "Winnie the Pooh" collection of stories published in 1926. Winnie was named after the female black bear called Winnipeg who lived in London Zoo.
I was brought up on the two Pooh Bear collections ("Winnie the Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner") with the charming illustrations by E H Shepard which I still prefer to the rather garish Disney jobbies. These days I still enjoy Alan Bennet's slightly lugubrious readings as an audiobook. I think my favourite story is "In Which Tigger Comes to the Forest and Has Breakfast" which Alexa often reads to me at bedtime. Not that I am a big kid, though!
Oh, I love Alan Bennett's reading of the Pooh stories. We had a very worn cassette tape in the car, and listened to it regularly on the long journey to take the children to Norfolk to see my parents.
ReplyDeleteHe's ideal, isn't he. And I'm just a big kid.
DeleteI've got the full cast versions with Geoffrey Palmer as Eyore and Jane Horrocks as Piglet. Bliss!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fun.
DeleteI still have the copy I was gifted aged 6, now 72 ish. Unfortunately its lost the dust jacket along the way. But still one of my favourite books. Xx
ReplyDeleteThat must be so precious to you.
DeleteI loved the Winnie the Pooh books growing up.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Pooh Bear brigs happy memories for a lot of people.
DeleteI remember reading my step-father's copy of Winnie the Pooh as a child. Later, when my daughter was born, I bought her the complete collection of the books. I think I enjoyed reading them to her more than she enjoyed listening to them being read! LOL
ReplyDeleteMaybe she loves them more as an adult?
DeleteLike you. I was brought up with the wonderful books, and still have two, very battered, of them. I do not care for the Disney versions.
ReplyDeleteNo, Disney didn't do Pooh Bear any favours.
DeleteI have never read a Winnie the Pooh book! I don't know why. Perhaps my mother read them to me, but if she did, I don't remember. Perhaps I'll go to the library and check some out. I feel like I've missed out on something important!
ReplyDeleteThe originals are of a very British bear.
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