Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Thanks For The Great Story, Dad...!

I would bet that Mr. Milne had no idea that these stories would be so enduring!

You just never know when something written for a child will become one of the better known children's fictional characters ever!

Jan 18, 1882:
A.A. Milne is born

On this day in 1882, A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, is born.

The youngest of three sons born to schoolteacher parents, Milne taught himself to read at age two. He began writing humorous pieces as a schoolboy and continued to do so at Cambridge, where he edited the undergraduate paper. In 1903, he left Cambridge and went to London to write. Although he was broke by the end of his first year, he persevered and supported himself until 1906 with his writing. That year, he joined humor magazine Punch as an editor and wrote humorous verse and essays for the magazine for eight years, until World War I broke out. While at Punch, he wrote his first book-for adults, not children.

In 1913, he married his wife, Daphne, and two years later went to France to serve in World War I. While in the military, he wrote three plays, one of which, Mr. Pim Passes By, became a hit in 1919 and provided financial security for the family. In 1920, the couple's only son, Christopher Robin, was born. In 1925, the family bought Cotchford Farm in Sussex. A nearby forest inspired the 100-Acre Wood where Winnie-the-Pooh's adventures would be set.

Milne published two volumes of the verse he wrote for his son. When We Were Very Young was published in 1924, followed by Now We Are Six in 1927.

When Christopher Robin was about a year old, he received a stuffed bear as a present. The child soon accumulated a collection of similar animals, which inspired Milne to begin writing a series of whimsical stories about the toys. Winnie-the-Pooh was published in 1926 and The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. Ernest Shepard illustrated the books, using Christopher Robin and his animals as models.

A.A. Milne wrote numerous other books and plays but is remembered almost solely for his beloved children's work. He died in 1956.

Thanks to the love of a dad for his son, and a wish to make his childhood very memorable...the world now has a never ending source of adventures in the 100 Acre Woods! What a gift for his son and for the world!

Thank you, Mr. Milne!

How about coffee inside this morning? It's trying to rain again outside!

6 comments:

chinasyndrome said...

I loved Pooh as as a child.All of my grand kids know who he is thanks to G-pa and Tigger tooo!

China
III

Anonymous said...

I read the Winnie the Pooh books to both my kids when they were younger, good bedtime stories. I didn't know Milne's background, he had quite an imagination. Really like the illustrations in the books too.

johnnyb said...

Thanks for the info, Very interesting.

Baby Sis said...

Bubba -

My pride and joy, grandson Henry, now has the Pooh stories read to him both by MeMaw and electronically on the Nook Color. Mama had more to say than he in decorating the nursery in the old-fashioned pastel Pooh-centered decor, but he certainly knows who all the 100 acre wood characters are. Papa keeps Henry amused with Eeyore sounds, and we are all grateful to Mr. Milne, and now to you, for bring us his story.

Give mom a hug for me this morning, and keep some

Big Hugs for yourself....

linda m said...

Very interesting. I'll have my coffee inside, please - only 2 degrees outside :(

HermitJim said...

Hey China...
I reckon that Pooh will be around for many generations yet to come!

I think he might be needed, along with his friends in the woods!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!


Hey Anon 7:26...
Let's hope we never lose our childhood heroes like Winnie-the-Pooh!

Right you are about Milne's imagination!

Thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey John...
I'm glad you liked it, and glad also you joined our little coffee group!

Thank you so much for coming over today!


Hey Sis...
I reckon that Henry could grow up around worse folks than the friends in 100 Acre Woods!

Thanks for the hugs this morning and for stopping by!


Hey Linda...
Man, that's way too cold for this ol' southern boy! Reckon inside is a good place for coffee if it's that cold!

I really appreciate you coming by today!