I think it's safe to say every Westerner (or not, I don't know) alive today had their share of Winnie-the-Pooh during childhood. He's everywhere, in tons of different movies and TV-shows, plus adapted short-stories. Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger, Owl, Eeyore, Kanga, and Roo are all alive in our imagination. What doesn't happen very often, though, is for people to go after the original sources, the books by A. A. Milne. As the headline suggests, I consider it a huge mistake, for they're wonderful. I'm not saying that they're fun for all ages, but they can be, as long as you've kept that little sparkle which glittered with joy every time Pooh sang his theme song inside yourself. To read A. A. Milne requires a bit of effort, it requires you to forget your worries for a moment, turn into a child again, and immerse in this universe of complete and marvelous nonsensicalness. If you can do it, I assure you, the knowledge you have as a grown up will allow this experience to be even more magical than when you were a child, for no joke will be lost and the craziness will be immediately understood as craziness. Not sure what to expect? Here are 10 examples:
1) Cute dedications
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A. A. Milne begins every book with a dedication for his wife, which are heart-melting and kind of give the impression that the author's a widow, but she actually outlived him.
2) Precious explanations for what unknown words/expressions mean
The stories are written as if Milne was telling them to Christopher Robin at this exact moment, and so some unexpected answers for expected questions might appear. Pooh, for once, lives under the name of Sanders because "he had the name over the door in golden letters and lived under it".
3) Lots of capital letters
Capital letters are just thrown in the middle of the stories, giving a broader sense to things we wouldn't usually consider, and showing what exactly is given importance in the 100 Aker Wood.
4) Sense follows the rules of Christopher Robin, a 4-year-old
Winnie is a girl's name, but the use of ther makes it acceptable as a boy's one (for all the people who wondered about Pooh's gender).
5) So much logic and the most important lesson these books can give you
You never can tell with bees. I can't stress how important this is.
6) The best plans
Just picture for one moment Christopher Robin walking around using his best Deceivable Voice and the bees being Confused by it. How can it not make you Laugh?
7) Christopher Robin being terribly cute towards Pooh
He didn't say it aloud, but you can imagine how full his voice would've been. Their friendship is such a special one, and the last chapter from The House at Pooh Corner would bring even Stannis Baratheon to tears (this was an Out of Place Reference but I'm sure you got the idea).
8) Brilliant songs
Pooh's songs are everywhere, and you can't help but try to find a tune for them and sing it to yourself. They're of as much quality as Sméagol's song at the Forbidden Pool, and that is a quality song.
9) This all was just the on the first chapter
There're 2 entire story books to explore, plus 2 poetry one's.
10) Think about the entire gang reunited and maybe visit them at the New York Public Library
By the time you're finished, you'll wish you had a Trespassers W broken board in front of your house, and will be teary-eyed upon the vision of the real stuffed-animals that we all love so deeply.
I believe there's only one more thing I can say: "Sing Ho! for the life of a Bear!"
After these books, it's the One Absolute Truth.
