Reindeer Readathon Book: The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh

Prancer's Reindeer Readathon book is required to have a map in it, and I wanted to choose a book I would actually want to read. Finding one wasn't easy, but finally, I did!

Once upon a time, a very long time ago now, about last Friday, Winnie-the-Pooh lived in a forest all by himself under the name of Sanders. - "In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees, and the Stories Begin," Winnie-the-Pooh

Confession: I chose this book for two reasons: it had a map in it, and I loved Winnie-the-Pooh!

But I was sure that the book, itself, would be dreadfully boring, and I'd just have to slog through it and enjoy looking at the pictures. To my surprise, it was sweet and charming, instead.

​The author's writing is exquisite! And she tells the reader so much about A.A. Milne, his father, and the adventures of his childhood, that those stories were almost like a book within the book. 

His collaboration with E.H. Shepard and the stories of how Winnie-the-Pooh came to be are fascinating, too. But what I loved most was the tender recounting of Milne's idyllic childhood, and what must have been very loving relationships with his father, his next oldest brother, Ken, and his family, in general.

The real and imagined places of the Hundred Acre Wood are tender touchstones for the precious time of childhood. - Kathryn Aalto

Would I Recommend it?

Yes, I do. Especially if you have loved the Winnie-the-Pooh books and movies!

It's just so neat to learn about the author, and his childhood, and how the books came to be.

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine
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