lou's library

Would you believe it? My favourite bear (sorry, Paddington) is turning 100 today. Now, we mustn’t tell him that this is really rather an advanced age for a bear like him, because we wouldn’t want to upset him. But I thought some well wishes and a show of gratitude were in order on this very special day.

Exactly 100 years ago, A. A. Milne published the first of the Winnie The Pooh books, and children’s bedtime stories have never been the same since. Nor were, if you were like me as a child, their collection of stuffed animals, their bedding, their clothes, their lunch boxes. Everything had to be Winnie The Pooh themed when I was a child, because there was something about that silly little bear that was forever endearing and intriguing to me. Who am I kidding? It still is, because that bear will forever have a very special place in my heart. Although the lunch box is gone now.

It took me a while to understand that it is not only possible, but highly enjoyable, to read children’s books as an adult. I would recommend it to anyone, particularly in times of stress or worry. And they can offer you a comforting sense of nostalgia if they remind you of your childhood, as is the case with Winnie The Pooh for me.

It was only a couple of years ago that I read the books as an adult, and I was both relieved and overjoyed to find them every bit as entertaining and special as I had hoped. A. A. Milne truly was the greatest at writing for children, if you ask me. His characters have their flaws, in fact each one of them can be said to exemplify one particular shortcoming, in order to make it understandable for children, but they are lovable, fun, and kind nonetheless. Rabbit can be an absolute pain in the ass and a know-it-all, but he cares deeply about Winnie, Eeyore, Piglet and the others, and it often shows in his actions (when he’s having a good day, at least).

These characters are friends, more than anything else, and I so wished to be living with them in the Hundred Acre Wood that my Dad built me a replica with little figurines of all the characters that I would play with for hours. Christopher Robin to me had the best life ever, and his gentleness towards his friends, most of all Pooh Bear, I find touching to this very day.

I know that the author at times voiced frustration at the lack of success of his non-Pooh-related work, and while I get that it might have been annoying at times, I would like to gently shake that man and tell him to chill because he wrote Winnie The Pooh, for God’s sake. It doesn’t get much better than that (I know it had some really negative effects on his personal life, but still, it’s pretty cool to have written such an iconic and beloved story). And to have the ingenuity to take your son’s stuffed animals and make them come to life in stories so whimsical, fun, and entertaining is no small feat. I believe the enduring appeal of Winnie The Pooh is its peaceful setting that is removed from the real world, a place of refuge, where the worst thing that might happen to you is to encounter a Heffalump.

I know how easy it is to find fault with some of the aspects in the stories, for example the fact that Kanga is pretty much the only female character, and mainly defined by her motherhood. And of course, these stories may be too sweet for some, and overly sentimental. I personally eat that stuff up, but can see how they might not be for everyone.

To me, Winnie The Pooh has become synonymous with the adventures and joys of childhood, and friendship, and showing kindness to one another. There is a lot of wisdom in these books, sometimes of the kind that would fit nicely on a little sign in a middle aged woman’s kitchen. It’s kitsch at times, but also true, and it should not be underestimated how funny a lot of the stories are.

I truly do believe it to be impossible to read these books and not let this silly little bear into your heart. He may be of rather little brain, but he sure is brave when it comes to helping his friends, and he has a big, big heart. I am ever so glad I got to grow up with him by my side, and to know that these stories will always be there to welcome me back when I feel in need of a hug. Winnie has done so much for me, but also to countless other children over the past 100 years. I hope he is celebrating with a big party in the Hundred Acre Wood today, with all his friends. He sure deserves it, the silly little bear.