A timeless classic, both for children and for adults - Rated 
The strange thing about Winnie-the-Pooh was that, as a child, I don't remember being a big fan; I was more into Paddington Bear. I bought this book in either my late teens or early twenties, and have loved it ever since. It is a fantastic book - the stories, of course, are funny and light-hearted, but the colour illustrations also add to the delight. The detail is just so sweat - from the map at the very beginning showing where they all live, including Eeyores Gloomy Place, which is 'Rather Boggy and Sad', to where the Woozle Wasnt!
Of course, anyone who has read the stories will know that al of the characters have their own little quirks. Piglet is very small and easily scared; Eeyore is always rather gloomy and sad; Pooh is described as a bear of 'very little brain' who loves nothing more than eating honey; Owl is very wise, etc. Perahps this is why, once you have developed a love for these characters, it rarely leaves you. Even as an adult, you can dip into this book and enjoy the subtle humour and the nuances of the lovable characters Milne created all those years ago.
Still superb stories for young children - Rated
I was constantly haunted by a sense of deja-vu when reading this book to my 5-year-old children. As I read the sentences, I remembered them being read to me as a child, and it was that I realised what an impact these books had made on me. AA Milne's stories are beautifully written: simple, calm, and moving, they seem to speak directly to the feelings and minds of young children like nothing else. Each chapter is self-contained, and just the right length for a bed-time story. I'd recommend reading Winnie the Pooh first before this book, so that the background and characters makes sense. Every child should have these stories read to them!
a much-loved classic revisited - Rated
I can remember reading this as a small child and laughing until it hurt (in the Heffalump story). In places it is very funny, but it's much more than that. Pooh is a most attractive character for a child - cuddly, friendly, not very bright, usually cheerful, a bit silly .... and he is supported, as are all the animals, by the most wonderful, gentle, characterful illustrations by E.H. Shepherd. It seems in a way a shame to analyse why this book (and, of course, its companion 'Winnie the Pooh') is so successful and has lasted so well - tempting just to be grateful that it's there for our children to read, and for us to read to them. But there is an interesting mix of personalities among the animals( bouncy, rather irritating Tigger, cynical Eeyore, reliable but timid Piglet, busy animal-of-affairs Rabbit), the stories are all beautifully crafted, the little rhymes (the 'hums') are immediately memorable and a lot of funny things happen. Put all these things together with the wonderful pictures and add an indefinable 'extra something' and you've got this treasurable book.
Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. What more do you need? - Rated
One of my favourite books of all time (and im 22 now) and still i read it once in a while. The strength of the book lies in the simplicity of the stories themselves. Eeyore is as gloomy and tragic as ever while Pooh as ever continues along his way appreciating the simple things in life, like using your imagination and hunting woozles and heffalumps. Milne's interpretation of a childhood through toy friends is an excellent parllel with my experiences when younger and his tales are likely to strike a chord with readers of all ages. Rediscovering "pooh sticks" earlier on this year led me to read the book again and i remembered the stunningly unexpected undertones in the last chapter of the book. Piglet, Owl, Pooh, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo all feature, not forgetting the fabulously fun filled feline that is Tigger. A must for a desert island book list.
|
