Many of us grew up having the stories of a certain little bear who loved honey ever so much read to us. Winnie-the-Pooh and all of his friend’s from the Hundred Acre Woods were part of our childhood thanks to the written works of A.A. Milne. Have you ever wondered where the idea for this lovable bear came from?
Many of us Canadians have an idea thanks to a commercial that used to always be played on television, or we learned this bit of the tale thanks to our teachers in school. We learned just a bit about how Canadian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn purchased a bear at a train station from a hunter, and that bear was given the name Winnie after the soldiers hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winnie found herself to be the unofficial mascot of Harry’s regiment, and she was smuggled into Britain. Winnie was eventually left at the London Zoo while her owner headed to France with his unit. After the war ended Winnie was donated to the London Zoo, a place that she had come to know as home. A.A. Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne named his toy bear Winnie after the Canadian black bear that he visited often at the zoo. From this came the inspiration for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories.
Winnie: The Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh is all about this story; of a soldier and his bear. The pages are covered in gorgeous water colour illustrations. This is a tale that many will enjoy, especially all us adults who have already grown up with Winnie-the-Pooh as part of our lives for so long. Knowing the inspiration for the books makes them all the more special. I’m certain this book will be making its way into many classrooms, and homes alike as the real tale of Winnie is shared. I am so glad to have this story, and to be able to share it with my daughter.
You could Win A Winnie
Raincoast Books has very kindly provided the opportunity for one Discovering Parenthood reader to win a copy of Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada only. Enter by clicking on the Raflecopter link below, and following the steps there.
My favourite memory of reading Winnie the Pooh to my child is how my little boy still yells “CHRISTOPHER ROBIN!!” when he’s in distress. 🙂
I have lived pooh bear since I was really little 🙂
I remember my mom reading Winnie the Pooh to us when we were small! One of my favourite memories!
I remember the old edition pictures and loved them the most. The way the stories are written, with Winnie the Pooh being not quite a smart bear, that’s my favorite.
When I was young my Mum would always have story time with me before bed and Winnie the Pooh was a special part of that. I can’t wait to continue this tradition with my daughter and her copy of Winnie the Pooh.
My children and the Winnie the Pooh Little Golden Books that I would read to them.
My kids always like when I read Winnie the Pooh books to them.
My favorite is reading these to my kids.
I love reading the books to my daughter, she gets a kick out of Tigger.
my girls loved Winnie and named one of our cats Winnie
reading to my children
So popular. We have so many different versions of the book. My original hardcover, paperbacks that are really just a chapter each…
My daughters first book set was a Winnie the Pooh board book that I received as a baby shower gift.
I remember reading the stories to my son when he was young.
I am entering your giveaway.
It would be great to win a copy of
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
In response to your question of
What is your favourite memory of reading about Winnie the Pooh or reading it to your children?
My favourite memory of reading about Winnie the Pooh
was when my mother used to read the book to me.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!!
My girls liked the Winnie the Pooh Little Golden Books that I would read to them.
I remember my love of bears came from looking at all the pictures of Winnie the Pooh before I even knew how to read. My brother would always read my Winnie the pooh and I loved the adventures he went on.
Jeannie
Having a small collection in my room and reading them every now and then 🙂
I can’t recall reading the stories when I was little however I do believe I did. But we’ve read Winnie the Pooh a few times to our children now. My favorite one is a board book with sounds that my daughter got on her 1st birthday. She loved it and now my son loves it!
My kids are huge fans of Winnie the Pooh! We have an old VHS movie that we love to watch together:)
I never had the books read to me, but definitely watched lots of the old VHS tapes on repeat as a kid!
Great looking book!
I adore this book. The illustrations. It just warms my heart.