The name “Winnie-the-Pooh” first appeared in print in a Christmas story by A.A.Milne, published in the London Evening News on Christmas Eve, 1925. [1]
Most people seem to love the stories of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends.
The first collection of stories was the book Winnie-the-Pooh, written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard. Published on 14 October 1926, it was an immediate success, selling 35,000 copies in the U.K. and over 150,000 copies in the U.S. This was followed 2 years later by The House at Pooh Corner.
After making a brief appearance as “Mr Edward Bear” in a poem named “Teddy Bear” included in best-selling book of poetry entitled When We Were Very Young published in 1924, Winnie-the-Pooh had a name change and quickly became a favourite. A.A. Milne found his inspiration for these stories in his son and his son’s stuffed animals. Christopher Robin Milne was the only child of former British Army officer Alan Alexander Milne and his wife Daphne. On his first birthday, young Christopher Robin was given a cream-coloured teddy bear that he named Edward. This teddy, along with an actual bear at the London Zoo named Winnie and an uncooperative swan named Pooh, became the basis for Milne’s classic children’s character, Winnie-the-Pooh. Eeyore was a Christmas present in 1921 and Piglet arrived later.
In the stories, Winnie-the-Pooh is naive and slow-witted, but he is also friendly, thoughtful, and steadfast. Although he and his friends agree that he is “a bear of very little brain”, Pooh is occasionally acknowledged to have a clever idea, usually driven by common sense. Pooh is very fond of food, particularly honey (which he spells “hunny”), but also condensed milk and other items. When he visits friends, his desire to be offered a snack conflicts with the impoliteness of his asking for it.
In 1961, Walt Disney Productions licensed some film and other rights to the Winnie-the-Pooh characters, stories and trademarks and has released numerous animated productions starring its version of the characters.
Selected links for relevant websites, books, movies, videos, and more. Some of these links lead to protected content on this website, learn more about that here.
Susannah Fullerton: Winnie-the-Pooh – A.A. Milne, Video Talk
Susannah Fullerton: A.A. Milne
Susannah Fullerton: A.A. Milne marries
Susannah Fullerton: Christopher Robin Milne
Susannah Fullerton: Christopher Robin Milne is born
Susannah Fullerton: A.A. Milne dies
Susannah Fullerton: Edward Bear makes his first appearance
How Winnie-the-Pooh Became a Household Name
Now We are Six by A.A. Milne, E.H.Shepard (Illustrated by)
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, E.H.Shepard (Illustrated by)