48. Winnie The Pooh – A. A. Milne (100 book challenge)

Winnie the Pooh is one of those stories from my childhood that I remember so dearly. I think it was my Granny and Grandad bought me ‘The Pooh Gift Box’ for my birthday one year and I’ve treasured it ever since.

When I saw the book on the 100 book challenge, I saved it up for a time when my kids would enjoy the story as much as I did. This year, at 7 and 4, I decided it was time to tick this one off the list by (literally) dusting off the gift box.

Every night for a while there, I would invite the kids into bed with me and we’d get out the book to read another chapter. There is something so delightful about Pooh’s simple mind, Piglet’s crippling shyness, Rabbit’s inability to admit defeat and Eeyore’s gloominess, and how Milne manages to develop these character traits so strongly in such few words. The 4-year-old was captivated by the plot, and the 7-year-old laughed out loud every time ‘Rabbit’s friends and relations’ appeared.

I saw something recently that said to help children develop a love of reading, it’s not necessarily about the stories themselves. It’s about the positive memories and experiences created with books. If a book means snuggling in with someone they love at the quietest time of the day… that experience alone will encourage a love of reading as they grow.  

After reading the first book, the kids asked for more, so we ended up continuing the tradition for weeks on end, getting through all four books in the Pooh Gift Box (which included The House at Pooh Corner, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six). Just as it was with Alice In Wonderland, I enjoyed sharing my 100 book challenge with the two little people I love more than anything in the world.

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In July 2014 I set myself the challenge to finish 100 must-read books before I die. For my ongoing tally click here.

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