Map of the “100 Aker Wood”–Drawn by Christopher Robin with the help of Mr. Shepard.
Today we celebrate Edward Bear–known as “Winnie-the-Pooh”–and the birth of the beloved bear’s creator, A.A. Milne, who was born January 18, 1882! I’ve been writing Pooh-Bear postcards all week, so I thought I’d drop by and share a few from my collection with a tiny bit of Pooh wisdom.
“Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it. And then he feels perhaps there isn’t. Anyhow, here is is at the bottom, and ready to be introduced to you. Winnie-the-Pooh.
I’ve loved the Pooh characters since I was a kid, and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the 100 Acre Wood with my own little one. Although he watched some episodes of Disney’s “new” Winnie-the-Pooh (My Friends Tigger and Pooh)—with Darby not Christopher Robin–we read every original Milne story with E.H. Shepard’s art.
I appreciate Disney for introducing the classics to a younger generation of kiddos, but I don’t think anything can top the Milne/Shepard duo. The art is sweet and innocent and the plots are cute, but what keeps us returning to Pooh is the simple wisdom we glean from the interactions of Pooh and friends.
“Pooh and Piglet walked thoughtfully home together in the golden evening, and for a long time they were silent.” Illustration from Christopher Robin Gives Pooh a Party.
Through Winnie-the-Pooh Milne inspired books and articles that focus on the life lessons and wisdom offered through Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Roo and the rest. My favorite bit of wisdom for today is:
Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering. –Piglet in Pooh’s Little Instruction Book
I’m looking forward to the weekend when I can spend a day of “not bothering.” Do you have a favorite bit of Pooh wisdom to share?
Pics and Posts 
Yes!! “The power of doing nothing.” Not to be confused with laziness. A lost art that society is so quick you trying to revisit.
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“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.”
(Drop-the-Mic COMMON SENSE!)
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These are some of my favorite books ever!
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This post brings back so many happy memories of reading the original stories to my boys when they were young! We did poetry memorization, and my older son memorized “Forgiven” from his poetry book “Now We are Six.” Such a great author!!
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I love those too! My son recited “Now We Are Six” when he turned 6 at Montessori School and I made a collage of his first 6 birthdays with the words of the poem embedded. Great times!
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Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
I agree the old versions are better, just more heart. I will never be too old for Pooh bear 😉
Happy “not bothering” 🙂
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Yes. I love that one! Pooh is just…everything.
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For me I loved Tigger — The greatest thing about Tiggers, is I’m the only one! Yes each one of us is unique, one of a kind, just like Tigger. I didn’t know there was a Winnie the Pooh day. Glad to know this.
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Yes! Tigger! Tigger is one of my (many) nicknames, so I’ve always liked him too. Happy that you now know about Pooh Day!
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This is a brilliant post 😀 I had no idea there was a Winnie the Pooh day 🙂
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I’m so sorry. Somehow, I missed your comment from several months ago! Thank your for the compliment, and I’m happy to introduce you to Winnie-the-Pooh Day. I hope you remember to celebrate next year!
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We’re so glad you did – yes, definitely making a note of it for next year. Pooh just makes you feel better 😀
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Agreed!
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