Bear Hero
Winnie-the-Pooh is one of the best-loved bears on earth. Since the 1920s the tales of Pooh and friends have been entertaining children and adults alike.
I wouldn’t trust someone who doesn’t like Winnie-the-Pooh. What’s not to like? He’s a bear first of all, and he is guided by a delightfully little brain that convinces him to do ridiculous things like pretending to be a rain cloud in pursuit of his favourite snack – honey. But it’s what’s inside that counts, and Pooh’s personality and free spirited approach to life is one of the reasons why he remains so well loved.
The mind behind Winnie-the-Pooh was English author Alan Alexander Milne (born 18th January 1882 and died 31st January 1956). In the early 1920s the lovable bear first came to life in a poem about Edward the Bear, who was based on Milne’s son, Christopher Robin’s, teddy bear. The bear underwent a name change in the next few years, with the first collection of stories set in the 100 Acre Wood, titled Winnie-the-Pooh, published in 1926.
It was in this book and the sequel, The House at Pooh Corner, that readers were first introduced to Pooh’s friends: Owl, Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, Eeyore, and his human companion Christopher Robin (based on Milne’s son). E.H Shepard illustrated both books and managed to capture the essence of each of these diverse characters.
From Eeyore, the mopey donkey who always complains – even about birthdays – to the bursting energy of the small, but brave, Piglet – Shepard’s visual interpretation brought the characters to life for the first time. His sketches are sought after by classic Pooh enthusiasts and in December 2008, a collection of Shepard’s original drawings fetched around R16 million at auction in London.
The two books became such a huge success that Milne’s other writing became completely overshadowed by Pooh and friends. But it was Pooh’s journey to the United States that catapulted him into the level of superstardom. In the 1930s, the late Stephen Slesinger bought the film, radio and merchandising rights to Winnie-the-Pooh in the US and Canada. He was the man who finally clothed Pooh Bear in his distinctive red shirt, dropped the hyphens in Winnie-the-Pooh, and adapted his physique to the tubby, friendly-looking figure that he is today.
30 years later, after Slesinger’s death, certain rights were licensed to the Walt Disney Company. Through them, Milne’s creations grew even bigger. Disney initially created a series of short colour films based on the original tales. These more American-friendly versions introduced the American public to the 100 Acre Wood. The first three featurettes were combined into a full length film in 1977 called The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Thereafter, the classic tales were all made into short films, as were a number of new stories. In 1997, Pooh’s Grand Adventure was released as the second full feature starring Winnie the Pooh.
Disney continued to capitalise on the appeal of the world’s most lovable bear. The 1990s saw the creation of a weekly television cartoon, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which took the original characters, and a host new characters, on a series of adventures unrelated to the Milne originals. More recently, in 2007, the computer-generated series My Friends Tigger and Pooh was launched by Disney. This sees the introduction of among other characters, Darby, a red-haired girl.
The Disney interpretations have not been without controversy, with many Winnie-the-Pooh purists turning their noses up at the new characters and storylines. There have also been ongoing legal battles such as the recent case in which Slesinger’s estate is suing Disney over royalties.
However, 2009 was quite exciting for fans faithful to the original ethos. In October, the first authorised follow-up, Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, was released. Written by David Benedictus and illustrated by Mark Burgess, both the A.A. Milne and Shepard estates gave their approval to the initiative. The book features 10 brand new stories and sees the introduction of a new character, Lottie the Otter, who Benedictus describes: “Lottie the Otter truly embodies Winnie-the-Pooh’s values of friendship and adventure seen throughout Milne’s work, thus making the perfect companion for everyone’s favourite bear.”
Winnie-the-Pooh is now an old bear – over 80 years old – yet each year young children are enthralled as they are introduced to Pooh and his wonderful friends and adventures for the first time. He’s a likeable and lovable character and will undoubtedly continue to attract adoring fans. And, who wouldn’t like a bear who thinks like this:
“ ‘Well,’ said Pooh, ‘What I like best –’ and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.” (The House at Pooh Corner. )
Story by Laura Cooke
Pix © My Friends Tigger and Pooh/ Disney
