Winnie the Pooh Turns 91!

My sis posted this on her blog a couple of days ago.  This post was  origionally written by Elizabeth Browne on August 23, 2011,  I'm sure she won't mind, since I've been ill and unable to blog for a couple of weeks...... 

oh, my favorite part of all of this is “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart… I'll always be with you.”   thanks nat for bringing the bear's birthday to our attention!! 

21 AUGUST 2012

Happy birthday Pooh!

Long before Walt Disney turned Pooh and his pals into movie stars, Christopher Robin Milne, a very real little boy living in England, received a small stuffed bear on his first birthday. He named him Edward Bear (later renamed Winnie-the-Pooh). Following Edward came the rest of the stuffed animals, which Christopher loved and played with throughout his childhood. One day Christopher's father, A.A. Milne, and an artist named Ernest H. Shepard, decided that these animals and two other imaginary friends, Owl and Rabbit, would make fine characters in a bedtime story. From that day on Pooh and his friends have had fanciful adventures, from Piglet's encounter with a Heffalump to Eeyore's loss of his tail.
I looked up this info ↑ about Winnie after realizing by reading this post below ↓ that last year was Pooh's 90th birthday!



I'd change one word in the title: Teaches. Winnie's still going strong - today he's 91.

TEN THINGS WINNIE THE POOH TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE

by Elizabeth Browne on August 23, 2011 - 9:40am

GENERAL QUIRK

This past Sunday marked an important birthday for one of the most beloved characters in the history of children’s literature. Winnie the Pooh. And although he didn’t appear in print until 1926, the actual stuffed animal that inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories is 90 years old. People sent the real Winnie the Pooh a birthday card via the New York Public Library. I’ll be honest: I was a little disappointed that I was too old to send a card. I am firm in my belief that Winnie the Pooh is such a lasting character because he can’t be fully appreciated until you’ve grown up. Only then can you realize all the life lessons the silly old bear has given you.  

1. Positive Thinking. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.” (The House at Pooh Corner, p. 11) Although Eeyore is generally known as the gloomy one, even he can look on the bright side occasionally.

2. Empathy. “What about me?” said Pooh sadly. “I suppose I shan’t be useful?” “Never mind, Pooh,” said Piglet comfortingly. “Another time, perhaps.” (Winnie the Pooh, p. 95) Piglet, being a Very Small Animal, acutely understands what it is like to feel useless.  

3. Gratitude. But Eeyore wasn’t listening. He was taking the balloon out, and putting it back again, as happy as could be… (Winnie the Pooh, p. 89) It doesn’t matter to Eeyore that Piglet meant to give him an inflated balloon and Pooh meant to give him a pot of honey for his birthday and what he got was a popped balloon and an empty pot. He enjoys his gifts because his friends thought to give them to him.  

on this one I'd add, "sometimes, you just have to let go...."

4. Creative Problem Solving. In the very first story of the very first book we learn about Pooh’s Passion for Honey. (We also learn that capitalizing words in the middle of the sentence makes them serve two purposes; to stand out as a Very Important Idea and to define A. A. Milne’s Narrative Voice.) In Pooh’s quest for honey, the bees have become suspicious of him, and thus he needs a new plan that will allow him to fly under the radar and stealthily take the honey. He decides on attaching himself to a balloon. But a blue balloon or a green balloon?

He explains the benefit of each to Christopher Robin: “When you go after honey with a balloon, the great thing is not to let the bees know you’re coming. Now, if you have a green balloon, they might think you were only part of the tree and not notice you, and if you have a blue balloon, they might think you were only part of the sky and not notice you.” (Winnie The Pooh, p. 13) 

5. The Importance of Education. “But to the Educated - mark this, little Piglet – to the Educated, not meaning Poohs and Piglets, it’s a great and glorious A." (The House at Pooh Corner, p. 88) Those who can spell in the Hundred Acre Wood are the ones the others look up to. Owl is wise and often consulted for advice because he can spell Tuesday.

6. Taking Pleasure in the Simple Things in Life. And that was the beginning of a game called Poohsticks, which Pooh invented, and which he and his friends used to play on the edge of the forest. (The House at Pooh Corner, p. 95) Poohsticks may be one of the simplest games invented, but with the right friends, it can be endlessly entertaining.  

7. Get Along With Everyone. “Tigger is all right, really,” said Piglet lazily. “Of course he is,” said Christopher Robin. “Everybody is really,” said Pooh. “That’s what I think.” (The House at Pooh Corner, p. 108) Even though Tigger is strange to them at first, the other characters soon embrace him as a friend. If these woodland creatures are able to put aside their, at times, staggering differences, certainly we human beings can as well.  

8. Take Time to Do Nothing. “It means just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” (The House at Pooh Corner, p. 173). In an increasingly stressful world is it important to remember that a break is necessary to one’s physical and mental health.  

9. Embrace Your Individuality. There are so many wonderful things about Tigger, but what’s the MOST wonderful thing? That he’s the only one! Being different is great.   

10. Friendship. “Pooh, promise you won’t forget about me, ever. Not even when I’m a hundred." Pooh thought for a little. “How old shall I be then?” “Ninety-nine.” “I promise,” he said. (The House at Pooh Corner, p. 179). The overall theme of Winnie the Pooh is the importance of forming solid, lasting friendships. With good friends, you will always have someone there to lean on, someone who will go on adventures and expeditions with you, and even someone who might invite you over for tea and a mouthful of something.

Winnie the Pooh is the source of one of my all-time favorite quotes, and it seems particularly fitting on this occasion.

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart… I'll always be with you.”

Happy 90th Birthday, dear silly old bear.

THURSDAY'S THEMES: PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT THE LIBRARY

Picture Books about the Library!

Everybody loves the library! These picture books from Good Reads celebrate the library as a fun place to be!

all votesadd books to this list

1		Library Lion  by Michelle Knudsen (Goodreads Author)   4.30 avg rating — 2,150 ratings vote for this book    score: 3,378, and 36 people voted
2		The Library  by Sarah Stewart   4.29 avg rating — 903 ratings vote for this book    score: 1,674, and 18 people voted
3		The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians  by Carla Morris   4.10 avg rating — 779 ratings vote for this book    score: 1,376, and 14 people voted
4		Library Mouse (Library Mouse #1)  by Daniel Kirk   4.05 avg rating — 704 ratings vote for this book    score: 1,262, and 13 people voted
5		The Library Dragon  by Carmen Agra Deedy   3.87 avg rating — 432 ratings vote for this book    score: 1,253, and 14 people voted
6		Lola At The Library  by Anna McQuinn (Goodreads Author)   3.88 avg rating — 206 ratings vote for this book    score: 1,063, and 12 people voted
7		Wild About Books  by Judy Sierra   4.17 avg rating — 1,123 ratings vote for this book    score: 963, and 11 people voted
8		But Excuse Me That Is My Book  by Lauren Child   4.15 avg rating — 518 ratings vote for this book    score: 873, and 10 people voted
9		When the Library Lights Go Out  by Megan McDonald   3.35 avg rating — 86 ratings vote for this book    score: 676, and 7 people voted
9		Bats at the Library  by Brian Lies   4.13 avg rating — 1,378 ratings vote for this book    score: 676, and 7 people voted
11		The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq  by Jeanette Winter   4.12 avg rating — 464 ratings vote for this book    score: 675, and 7 people voted
12		Please Bury Me in the Library  by J. Patrick Lewis   4.03 avg rating — 182 ratings vote for this book    score: 586, and 6 people voted
13		The Little Red Fish  by Taeeun Yoo   4.09 avg rating — 129 ratings vote for this book    score: 584, and 6 people voted
14		Miss Brooks Loves Books!  by Barbara Bottner   4.18 avg rating — 730 ratings vote for this book    score: 582, and 7 people voted
15		That Book Woman  by Heather Henson   4.18 avg rating — 575 ratings vote for this book    score: 577, and 6 people voted
16		Book! Book! Book!  by Deborah Bruss   3.80 avg rating — 250 ratings vote for this book    score: 483, and 5 people voted
17		Tomas and the Library Lady  by Pat Mora   3.95 avg rating — 261 ratings vote for this book    score: 473, and 5 people voted
18		Library Lil  by Suzanne Williams   3.85 avg rating — 251 ratings vote for this book    score: 391, and 4 people voted
19		Curious George Visits the Library  by H.A. Rey   4.23 avg rating — 2,966 ratings vote for this book    score: 386, and 4 people voted
20		Beatrice Doesn't Want To  by Laura Joffe Numeroff   3.75 avg rating — 207 ratings vote for this book    score: 382, and 4 people voted
21		I Took My Frog to the Library  by Eric A. Kimmel   3.63 avg rating — 138 ratings vote for this book    score: 377, and 4 people voted
22		Maisy Goes to the Library  by Lucy Cousins   3.51 avg rating — 178 ratings vote for this book    score: 374, and 4 people voted
23		Wolves  by Emily Gravett   4.07 avg rating — 532 ratings vote for this book    score: 295, and 3 people voted
24		Quiet! There's a Canary in the Library  by Don Freeman   3.92 avg rating — 103 ratings vote for this book    score: 291, and 3 people voted
25		Pumpkin Cat  by Ann Turner   3.76 avg rating — 38 ratings vote for this book    score: 290, and 3 people voted
26		Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf  by Judy Sierra   3.83 avg rating — 152 ratings vote for this book    score: 289, and 3 people voted
26		My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World  by Margriet Ruurs (Goodreads Author)   4.04 avg rating — 80 ratings vote for this book    score: 289, and 3 people voted
28		Clarence the Copy Cat  by Patricia Lakin   3.74 avg rating — 57 ratings vote for this book    score: 286, and 3 people voted
28		Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile  by Gloria Houston   3.94 avg rating — 173 ratings vote for this book    score: 286, and 3 people voted
30		Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book  by Alexander Stadler   3.52 avg rating — 46 ratings vote for this book    score: 283, and 4 people voted
31		The Ghost Library  by David Melling   3.82 avg rating — 22 ratings vote for this book    score: 281, and 3 people voted
32		D.W.'s Library Card (D.W. Series)  by Marc Brown   3.76 avg rating — 148 ratings vote for this book    score: 278, and 3 people voted
32		Corduroy Goes to the Library  by B.G. Hennessy (Goodreads Author)   3.73 avg rating — 37 ratings vote for this book    score: 278, and 3 people voted
34		The Librarian from the Black Lagoon (Black Lagoon, #5)  by Mike Thaler   3.92 avg rating — 441 ratings vote for this book    score: 200, and 2 people voted
35		Tell Me Some More... (An I Can Read Book)  by Crosby Newell Bonsall   3.92 avg rating — 12 ratings vote for this book    score: 193, and 2 people voted
36		Miss Rumphius  by Barbara Cooney   4.44 avg rating — 5,500 ratings vote for this book    score: 192, and 2 people voted
37		How a Book Is Made  by Aliki   3.95 avg rating — 62 ratings vote for this book    score: 191, and 2 people voted
37		The Storyteller's Candle/La velita de los cuentos  by Lucia M. Gonzalez   3.84 avg rating — 109 ratings vote for this book    score: 191, and 2 people voted
39		Stella Louella's Runaway Book  by Lisa Campbell Ernst   3.73 avg rating — 73 ratings vote for this book    score: 188, and 2 people voted
40		Hot City  by Barbara M Joosse   3.48 avg rating — 21 ratings vote for this book    score: 167, and 2 people voted
41		Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair  by Patricia Polacco   4.00 avg rating — 188 ratings vote for this book    score: 100, and 1 person voted
41		Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library!  by Vicki Myron   3.82 avg rating — 319 ratings vote for this book    score: 100, and 1 person voted
41		Stuart Little at the Library (An I Can Read Picture Book)  by Susan Hill   3.69 avg rating — 16 ratings vote for this book    score: 100, and 1 person voted
41		Otto the Book Bear  by Katie Cleminson   4.06 avg rating — 443 ratings vote for this book    score: 100, and 1 person voted
41		This Is My Book  by Mick Inkpen   4.22 avg rating — 9 ratings vote for this book    score: 100, and 1 person voted
46		Dewey's Christmas at the Library  by Vicki Myron   3.86 avg rating — 64 ratings vote for this book    score: 99, and 1 person voted
47		Lola Loves Stories  by Anna McQuinn (Goodreads Author)   3.79 avg rating — 113 ratings vote for this book    score: 98, and 1 person voted
47		Waiting for the Biblioburro  by Monica Brown   4.20 avg rating — 113 ratings vote for this book    score: 98, and 1 person voted
49		The Enchanted Library  by Karen Andrea   4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings vote for this book    score: 96, and 1 person voted
50		Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia  by Jeanette Winter   3.91 avg rating — 182 ratings vote for this book    score: 94, and 1 person voted
51		Visit the Library (Bugville Critters #18)  by Robert Stanek   4.50 avg rating — 12 ratings vote for this book    score: 93, and 1 person voted
51		The Day Dirk Yeller Came to Town  by Mary Casanova (Goodreads Author)   3.57 avg rating — 83 ratings vote for this book    score: 93, and 1 person voted
53		Carlo and the Really Nice Librarian  by Jessica Spanyol   3.47 avg rating — 49 ratings vote for this book    score: 92, and 1 person voted
53		Lucy's Quiet Book  by Angela Shelf Medearis   3.54 avg rating — 13 ratings vote for this book    score: 92, and 1 person voted
55		Rachel's Library  by Richard Ungar (Goodreads Author)   3.20 avg rating — 5 ratings vote for this book    score: 91, and 1 person voted
56		Gordon Loggins and the Three Bears  by Linda Bailey   3.80 avg rating — 5 ratings vote for this book    score: 88, and 1 person voted
57		Once Inside the Library  by Barbara A. Huff   5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings vote for this book    score: 82, and 1 person voted
58		Winston the Book Wolf  by Marni McGee   3.77 avg rating — 44 ratings vote for this book    score: 80, and 1 person voted
59		Delilah D. at the Library  by Jeanne Willis   3.61 avg rating — 44 ratings vote for this book    score: 77, and 1 person voted