Book Review: LIFE AND TIMES OF THE REAL WINNIE-THE-POOH, THE The Teddy Bear Who Inspired A.A. Milne By Shirley Harrison
My first bear, and Kiddo's first bear, were both WInnie the Pooh. Mine did not last for Kiddo- it was too well loved, so she got a replica of the original bear, as featured in this story, as well as a heart sounds Pooh, when she was a baby.So when I saw this book available for review, I was quite happy to read it!
Synopsis: The story truly does begin in Acton, England, at the Farnell toy factory where the hand-made mohair bear was born. This biography traces the steps of the actual stuffed bear from his creation to his final resting place in the Children’s Center of the New York Public Library. Winnie-the-Pooh was brought to life as a loveable playmate flowing from the vivid imagination of Christopher Robin and introduced to the world by his father, A. A. Milne.
Shirley Harrison uses original documents, photographs, and the diaries of the late Elliot Graham, caretaker to the bear for more than forty years, to give a glimpse into the hidden world of Winnie-the-Pooh and those whose lives he changed forever. Well-researched details flesh out the myths surrounding Winnie-the-Pooh’s name, his journey to American, and his brief return to England. Filled with details of the real Christopher Robin, his mother, father, and the impact the stories had on their lives and illustrated with photographs of the people and places that brought the bear to life, this book chronicles the origins of one of the best-loved children’s series in the world and focuses on the stuffed toy that started it all.
Review: Did you know that Winnie the Pooh was based on a REAL stuffed bear, as were all his playmates? Or that he got his name from a real (orphaned) bear cub that was sent to the London Zoo during WWI, for safekeeping from Winnipeg, Canada, thus the name Winnie? Or that the Hundred Acres Wood really existed in England, complete with Pooh's bridge?
This was a very concise and detailed book that shared about all things Pooh. I found it to be terribly interesting (sorry, after reading this book, 'Britishisms" start coming out), and a lot of fun. Like Pooh, the story of him and Christopher Robin, is very well set in a time and place, that is no longer with us. Can you imagine letting a group of young children into a bear's den at the zoo, to PLAY with a bear? Right- time and place!
As well loved and endeared as Pooh has become to so many generations, it was interesting to see how life was not as blissful for Christopher Robin (his father, A.A. Milne was not an affectionate man to him) and the many tragedies that seemed to have occurred around the orbit of Milne's family. As Christopher said "I learned to hate the books, as they had more of my father, that I had in my life". But as an adult, he understood his father put into the books, what he could not say or do in real life.
I did not realize that the real Winnie the Pooh was never sent back to England. That he came for tours, and just never left/was sent back! In fact, during President Clinton's term in office, there was an attempt to repatriot him, but with more pressing issues going on, Britain's Prime Minister Blair, chose to put the issue on a table for later. meanwhile, President Clinton also tabled it, and New York Mayor claimed that he had visited Pooh, and he was happy and did not want to go home! Who knew? While Disney has made Pooh and institution stateside, there is something to be said about sending him home. A.A. Milne's will provided for a trust, from the proceeds from Pooh, that provides for SO many charities in England, and does such wonderful works, it seems a shame that Pooh, that created all the bother (and funds), has not been sent back!
This is a very enjoyable book, one that showcases the era of WWI in England, and America, and the changes that Pooh has made in so many lives. I highly recommend it to all lovers of Pooh!
About the Author: While a young schoolgirl, Shirley Harrison first broadcast on BBC’s Children’s Hour. She has worked as a freelance journalist and authored many nonfiction books. After moving to Sussex, she started one of the first preschool playgroups in the U.K. in Winnie-the-Pooh’s very own hometown. Harrison interviewed Mrs. Milne for a magazine article about the toy bear and was inspired to tell the bear’s true-life story.
Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was sent this book, free of charge, for review purposes, from Pelican Publishing. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it.
“Once upon a time an anonymous teddy bear set off, from a factory in a north London suburb with a van-load of similar bears and other toys. His spectacular journey was to take him into the hearts of people of all ages, around the world and that is where we will join him first—in Acton where it all began.”
Synopsis: The story truly does begin in Acton, England, at the Farnell toy factory where the hand-made mohair bear was born. This biography traces the steps of the actual stuffed bear from his creation to his final resting place in the Children’s Center of the New York Public Library. Winnie-the-Pooh was brought to life as a loveable playmate flowing from the vivid imagination of Christopher Robin and introduced to the world by his father, A. A. Milne.
Shirley Harrison uses original documents, photographs, and the diaries of the late Elliot Graham, caretaker to the bear for more than forty years, to give a glimpse into the hidden world of Winnie-the-Pooh and those whose lives he changed forever. Well-researched details flesh out the myths surrounding Winnie-the-Pooh’s name, his journey to American, and his brief return to England. Filled with details of the real Christopher Robin, his mother, father, and the impact the stories had on their lives and illustrated with photographs of the people and places that brought the bear to life, this book chronicles the origins of one of the best-loved children’s series in the world and focuses on the stuffed toy that started it all.
Review: Did you know that Winnie the Pooh was based on a REAL stuffed bear, as were all his playmates? Or that he got his name from a real (orphaned) bear cub that was sent to the London Zoo during WWI, for safekeeping from Winnipeg, Canada, thus the name Winnie? Or that the Hundred Acres Wood really existed in England, complete with Pooh's bridge?
This was a very concise and detailed book that shared about all things Pooh. I found it to be terribly interesting (sorry, after reading this book, 'Britishisms" start coming out), and a lot of fun. Like Pooh, the story of him and Christopher Robin, is very well set in a time and place, that is no longer with us. Can you imagine letting a group of young children into a bear's den at the zoo, to PLAY with a bear? Right- time and place!
As well loved and endeared as Pooh has become to so many generations, it was interesting to see how life was not as blissful for Christopher Robin (his father, A.A. Milne was not an affectionate man to him) and the many tragedies that seemed to have occurred around the orbit of Milne's family. As Christopher said "I learned to hate the books, as they had more of my father, that I had in my life". But as an adult, he understood his father put into the books, what he could not say or do in real life.
I did not realize that the real Winnie the Pooh was never sent back to England. That he came for tours, and just never left/was sent back! In fact, during President Clinton's term in office, there was an attempt to repatriot him, but with more pressing issues going on, Britain's Prime Minister Blair, chose to put the issue on a table for later. meanwhile, President Clinton also tabled it, and New York Mayor claimed that he had visited Pooh, and he was happy and did not want to go home! Who knew? While Disney has made Pooh and institution stateside, there is something to be said about sending him home. A.A. Milne's will provided for a trust, from the proceeds from Pooh, that provides for SO many charities in England, and does such wonderful works, it seems a shame that Pooh, that created all the bother (and funds), has not been sent back!
This is a very enjoyable book, one that showcases the era of WWI in England, and America, and the changes that Pooh has made in so many lives. I highly recommend it to all lovers of Pooh!
About the Author: While a young schoolgirl, Shirley Harrison first broadcast on BBC’s Children’s Hour. She has worked as a freelance journalist and authored many nonfiction books. After moving to Sussex, she started one of the first preschool playgroups in the U.K. in Winnie-the-Pooh’s very own hometown. Harrison interviewed Mrs. Milne for a magazine article about the toy bear and was inspired to tell the bear’s true-life story.
Disclosure / Disclaimer: I was sent this book, free of charge, for review purposes, from Pelican Publishing. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it.
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