NEW YORK – A certain silly old bear is turning 100, and he’s looking great for his age.
Winnie-the-Pooh, the anthropomorphic teddy bear, appeared in his first full-length novel written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard 100 years ago Oct. 14. Milne wrote the books for his son, Christopher Robin Milne, who readers remember as the famous young protagonist of the same name. Pooh makes a smaller appearance in one of Milne’s poems in the 1924 collection “When We Were Young,” arriving with his given name – Mr. Edward Bear. An author’s note explains that Christopher Robin has taken to calling the teddy “Pooh.” But it wasn't until Oct. 14, 1926, that Pooh got his own story.
In his first century, Pooh has traveled the globe, starred in silver
screen adaptations and been on scores of adventures with his pals Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and more. He’s even been in a horror movie.
Pooh, in physical form, was once in the care of longtime E.P. Dutton publicist Elliott Graham. He shepherded the animals around like royalty. Pooh got his own seat on airplanes.
Now, the original stuffed animals have been spruced up and are behind bulletproof, climate-controlled glass at the New York Public Library. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, Penguin Random House donated 3,000 copies of "Winnie-the-Pooh." A special display of rare franchise items includes a rare Latin translation and a replica of Roo (the original was lost in the 1930s) gifted by Queen Camilla.
Look back at 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh
The Dutton offices at Penguin Random House in New York City are a treasure trove of old Pooh and Milne memorabilia. As the longtime publishers of the books, editor Julie Strauss-Gabel has a soft spot for the original, Shepard-drawn bear.
We chat in an office adorned with birthday cards sent from children. Bookstores around the country have mailboxes set up for the anniversary. Here, archives include original Shepard artwork, correspondence between editors and a certificate from when Pooh flew on the British Airways Concorde in 1983, signed by the crew. There are even copies of emails from “Poohgate,” when a member of British Parliament attempted to repatriate the stuffed animals to their native country in 1998. But he remained stateside, and that’s where you can visit Pooh and his friends today.
“I hope this anniversary brings more people back to see how special it really is,” Strauss-Gabel says. “And get a little bit of comfort and light in it at this time. I always feel better after I read Winnie-the-Pooh.”
Best Winnie-the-Pooh quotes, from a longtime book editor
Crediting Milne for inspiring her career in children’s publishing, Strauss-Gabel is a Pooh aficionado. She’s also passionately against fake Winnie-the-Pooh quotes, of which there are many. Sorry, folks, Milne never wrote: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?”
But if you’re looking to commemorate the tender stories, here are this Pooh expert’s favorite quotes:
- "So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing." – "The House at Pooh Corner" (1928)
- "Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh!” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?” “Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.” – "The House at Pooh Corner" (1928)
- “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast,” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said. – "Winnie-the-Pooh" (1926)
- “It just shows what can be done by taking a little trouble,” said Eeyore. – "The House at Pooh Corner" (1928)
- “It is hard to be brave,” said Piglet, sniffing slightly, “when you’re only a Very Small Animal.” Rabbit, who had begun to write very busily, looked up and said: “It is because you are a very small animal that you will be Useful in the adventure before us.” Piglet was so excited at the idea of being Useful that he forgot to be frightened any more. – "Winnie-the-Pooh" (1926)
Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, covering buzzy releases, chatting with authors and diving into the culture of reading. Find heron Instagram, subscribe to our weeklyBooks newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at cmulroy@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winnie-the-Pooh turns 100 – Celebrate with these essential quotes and old photos
