The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh Reviews

• A bear of very little brains . . .

  
  By A3SMT15X2QVUR8 on 2002-09-04
  A. A. Milne would be proud of the interpretation of his story and characters that will always live in the forest of imagination. Ernest H. Shepard's artwork makes this adventure is a visual delight. The characters represent archetypes to which children can identify and relate. As long as there are children and parents to read to them, Winnie the Pooh will remain a favorite storybook classic.

  * Pooh teaches a positive attitude; he will always get the honey, and get out of predicaments through his friends. His wisdom is simple and easy for children to understand and agree upon.
  * Eyore is forlorn, pessimistic, and surprised by the good things that come his way. He never expects to be part of the crowd, but always is included. The emotion is easy to relate to from our own adolescence, and helps adults remember the trials of childhood.
  * Tigger and his bouncy tail take us into the air in a never-ending enthusiasm for the joy in life. In addition, he shows the potential of getting into trouble because he does not think about the results.
  * Rabbit, practical Rabbit, who is also a sourpuss, shows that we can always miss the joy in life, but if we join with others then good things happen.
  * Kanga and baby Roo show the importance of love and protection for parent and child.
  * Owl is the wise old teacher who always asks "Who?" in the quest for knowledge, and shows the value of learning.
  * Christopher Robin represents the adult, the one who solves problems, and is a constant force even when not present. He is the focus, the thinker, and he shows the value of considering thought before words and actions. Since he is a child, children can see they too have control, make decisions, and find answers.

  My daughter loves her long worn out book with the torn red cover, and although this book is its replacement, the original stays in the family.

  Five stars and great thanks to Walt Disney Studios who keeps the Winnie the Pooh light burning.

  Victoria Tarrani
  
  

• Classic Pooh is timeless!

  
  By on 2000-06-12
  This Silly Old Bear is one of the most-beloved characters in children's literature. Many readers are familiar with the updated Disney version of Pooh. I like that Pooh (my kids LOVE him), but I'm a bigger fan of the original Pooh, now over sixty years old and still as silly and lovable as ever. If you haven't read the original tales, you're in for a treat!

  Unlike the modern Disney tales, the original Pooh stories aren't vehicles for teaching lessons or imparting values. Instead, the original stories about the adventures of the Bear of Very Little Brain and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood are simply delightful tales about well-meaning, though slightly addle-brained characters. Half the fun of the original Pooh stories is knowing more than the characters, and laughing at the silly situations they create for themselves. The other half of the fun is listening to the wonderful wordplay A.A. Milne uses to tell the tales.

  The first chapter, in which Pooh tries to use a balloon to float up to a honey comb and help himself to some honey, introduces Pooh's unique thought processes. He explains his plan 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 a part of the sky, and not notice you, and the question is: Which is most likely?"

  When Christopher Robin asks if the bees might be suspicious of the bear floating beneath the balloon, Pooh says, "They might or they might not. . . You can never tell with bees. . .I shall try to look like a small black cloud. That will deceive them." This is classic Pooh!

  One note for Tigger fans: Tigger doesn't bounce into the Hundred Acre Wood until the second book, The House at Pooh Corner.
  
  

• My very most favorite book, since I was three!

  
  By A23059WU8ZCRL5 on 1999-10-19
  My mother introduced me to Edward Bear, Pooh and Co., shortly after a friend gave me a stuffed Pooh, complete with peach-fuzz pelt, little red sweater, and muffler, when I was three. Within weeks, I had memorized most of the poems in the two collateral books ("Now We Are Six," "When We Were Very Young") and all of the Hums... "The more it rains, Tiddly-Pom..." Our family alarm soon became "Tut! Tut! It looks like rain!" And our birthday wishes became "Hipy Papy Bth...." and remain so to this day.

  My stuffed Pooh went everywhere with me, including college and Florida for Spring Break, and to this day, more than 50 years later, resides - what's left of him - in my dresser drawer. I can still recite many of the poems and hums by heart, and my standard baby shower gift, a hardcover library of the children's classics, always includes all four volumes.

  I can't think of a better, gentler, more fun way to introduce children to the wonders of the imagination, reading, verse, wit, language... you name it. I still have my original four hardcover books and haul them out every so often for a refresher.

  These books have stood the test of time for all ages of readers, in spite of Disney's disgraceful attempt to co-opt and cutesify them - truly the definition of classic. Indulge yourself and the children in your life - you won't regret it.
  
  

• One of the Most Memorable Books Ever Written

  
  By on 1999-11-27
  One doesn't need to be a child to enjoy this book!I originally bought this for my son twenty years ago, and am now purchasing it for my granddaughter. My son still loves reading the stories that he and I enjoyed together in quiet times, "when he was very young". The stories are truly timeless, and the illustrations help evoke a beautiful, simpler time...a must for every library where excellent literature is appreciated.
  
  

• One of the most unforgettable books I have ever read

  
  By on 2000-01-24
  Winnie-the-Pooh is as fresh and charming for me today as he was 30 years ago when my parents gave me Winnie-the-Pooh for my 5th birthday. My memories of this book are more vivid than for any other in my childhood. It retains its beauty, simplicity and charm, despite the attempts of Disney to rip the soul out of it.

  If you missed the Winnie-the-Pooh books as a child, buy it now and spend a gentle afternoon in the world of imagination. If you are buying it for a child, be encouraged! - you are buying a book that will open up a world for them they will never forget.

  This is a book that will entertain and engross your kids without setting "bad examples" or exposing them to anything you'd prefer they didn't find out about just yet. It will teach them about the beauty of friendship and accepting those around us regardless of their failings.

  I bought this edition to give to my brother - we had a "custody battle" over our (MY!) treasured 30 yr old copy. It's beautifully presented (but I'm still hanging on to my old one!).
  
  

• Absolutely classic literature! A must-read for all ages.
  By on 1999-11-18
  This collection is an essential part of any library. One ofthe best set of stories ever created. So tender, smart, amusing &clever. I can't believe that there is anyone who has never heard ofPiglet, Pooh & Co.; but, this particular collection is so beautifully packaged & presented that even if you own other editions-you'll need this one! It's perfect. As someone else wrote, indulge yourself & those you love by buying this book.
  
  
• "complete tales" better for adults than kids
  By A8GRLH1ZGOPDJ on 2001-01-08
  I would offer nothing but the highest praise for Milne's classic tales of childhood imagination, but...

  I humbly suggest that one should buy the individual books if you are intending them for a child's own library: The shorter books are long enough, and they will give the child a feeling of accomplishment when they finish each book, and will also give the impression that there are more stories alltogether.

  Dutton Children's Books has also published ten individual books by breaking the Winnie-the-Pooh books into stories (e.g. "Piglet Is Entirely Surrounded by Water" and "Pooh Goes Visiting"), unabridged and with Shephard's original illustrations, published by Dutton. Perfect for your youngest readers.

  That said, if you are looking for something for your own library of for an adult reader, by all means, buy this book!
  
  

• Among the formative books of my very English childhood.
  By on 1998-02-18
  When I was very small, I was read The House at Pooh Corner, Winnie the Pooh, When We Were Very Small and Now We Are Six by two very old-fashioned aunts who clearly enjoyed them as much as I did. I grew to worship Rabbit and his dry humour, helped by my aunts' similarly subtle and rather understated sense of the ridiculous. Returning to the books as a father some thirty-five years later, I find they're still fresh. While I don't like to suggest that Disney gets it wrong, I should hate for children to get their only notions of the world of Christopher Robin and his toys from the film(s). The books are of a time and a place; 1920's/30's England. Their words were written to be heard or read with an idea of context (cf the audio tapes read by Alan Bennett) With this in mind, it is possible for these books to have a universal appeal. My five-year-old daughter cannot quite get all the, remarkably sophisticated, nuances of A.A. Milne's humour and language, but she laughs in most of the right places just because she enjoys the stories. She keeps on wanting to hear more, and that's strong testimony - and I still find Winnie the Pooh an absolute hoot in places.
  
  
• The original is still the best
  By A3CWH6VKCTJAD on 2000-12-18
  For all those who think that Winnie the Pooh is a Disney creation, this book will be a revelation and a delight. The ubiquitous and lovable Disney mass-market version of A.A. Milne's characters cannot compare with the simple wisdom of this children's classic. The writing and humor is far more sophisticated and subtle than the slapstick cartoon version cooked up for mass consumption.

  The book also contains an interesting and informative forward and introduction that explains the origin of Winnie the Pooh, that Christopher Robin was really Milne's son and other fascinating facts about Milne's life.

  Most importantly, it holds the original stories of Pooh and friends, and the original illustrations by Earnest H. Shepard. These illustrations provide a look at how Pooh first appeared 70 years ago.

  The recommended age for this book is four and up, but we have been reading these stories to our son (who is also thoroughly immersed in the Disney version) since he was about two and a half and he loves them. I'm sure he didn't comprehend what was going on in the stories at first, but as time went on, he increasingly continued to understand. He still loves bringing us the book.

  This book is a treasure. Anyone who has a child who loves Pooh owes it to him or her to hear the original version. It is fun for adults as well. It is the quintessential addition to any Pooh collection.
  
  

• A delightful collection of tales!
  By A4KF4XK6I344B on 2000-06-28
  This is a truly delightful collection of tales for anyone who is a Winie-the-Pooh fans. It is very much unlike the Disney version of Pooh where the characters learn lessons in every story. Pooh is a brainless bear who does some very funny acts. With beautiful color drawings and a cute fabric book mark, it makes a wonderful gift to anybody. I love all of the characters-Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Eyore, Kanga, Roo, Tigger, etc. Tigger does not come in until the second part of the book, but his arrival is hilarious. Please treat yourself to this fine collection of tales.
  
  
• Written like a classic
  By A2YFH2UCSQZO5O on 2001-01-14
  These are the original Pooh stories. Very interesting to see where Disney got their ideas from. The artwork is top notch. My copy also has a built in book mark-nice touch. The first few Pooh cartoons came directly from parts of this book. My problem was that I grew up on the cartoons and the book is quite different. Even though it's a children's book it isn't the easiest thing to read. My wife and I find ourselves stumbling through the book as we try to read it out loud to our 2 year old son who quickly gets boored with the long winded stories. Being a fan of Pooh history, I'm glad I bought it and it makes a great conversation piece (among my freinds that also grew up on the Disney version) but as far as my little guy is concerned I think he may need a few more years before he's ready for a book like this.
  
  
• Maybe Later
  By A2KKPATTS0K9CL on 2001-07-04
  This is a fine keepsake edition, complete with a bookmark ribbon and the fine stories and illustrations that inspired Mr. Disney to make a feature length animated movie. Adults and older kids will be able to appreciate it. HOWEVER, it is large, heavy, and difficult to hold open, especially when you have two active children and only two hands. For physical youngsters who MUST have pictures, this poses a problem which is compounded by the poor picture to text ratio, as well as the smallness of some of the illustrations. In addition, the book`s very size seems to intimidate them: they love some of the same stories, poems, and illustrations (more generously dispersed) in the very much slimmer Pooh`s Bedtime Book. My boys, at five and seven, now (we`ve had it for a couple of years) are still not ready for the big dust-collector. Ask yourself first, who this is for: you, or the kids?
  
  
• Cumbersome
  By A1AWXOOAOLJKDD on 2001-11-24
  I kept tripping over some of the sentences as I tried to read it to my son. The stories are very good and my son did want to hear them. The sentence structure was poor sometimes, and there weren't enough pictures for the under 6 set.
  
  
• Very British!
  By A2LW9E5PPXWOHN on 2003-10-23
  I gave The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh to my older daughter for her 10th birthday. She reads portions of it to her younger siblings. This is one of her favorite, most cherished books.

  Don't be deceived into thinking that Pooh is just for toddlers and pre-schoolers. The humor is very intelligent, and the characters are just plain wonderful. It is written in a very British style, which I think makes it a great introduction to English literature for children.

  This is a true masterpiece, and would make a good gift for anyone who truly loves good literature, no matter what their age.
  
  

• A Beautiful Collection!
  By A11E8MA7DZ7WNU on 2000-05-08
  I am 24 years old, and I got this for Christmas last year. Itbrought me back to when I used to read the books in elementaryschool. The best part is that all of the stories I remember are in here. The book has beautiful color illustrations and a nice fabric bookmark attached to the book. Not only are the stories great, so is the presentation. I plan to hold on to it and pass it down to my future children. A great gift idea for Winnie the Pooh Fans of any age, and children who will receive a treasure to pass along for generataions!
  
  
• No library is complete without Winnie the Pooh
  By AORFSZ8TSMGM4 on 2000-03-15
  The first book I ever bought on my own, at age 6. Many other have gone away, somewhere, but this one is still on the shelves. And still gets read periodically, either to myself or my granddaughters, or to anybody who will listen. Marvelous stories. Ignore the Disney stuff.
  
  
• Pooh gets elevendymillion stars.
  By A2FGZKRSMB88BN on 2005-09-11
  I gave this to my girlfriend a hundred miles away. Whenever I see her, maybe four times out of the year, we sit down and read from Winnie-the-Pooh. So I feel a very strong connection to this bear of very little brain. The stories mean a lot to me. This would make a wonderful present for anyone, any age, no matter what. You're never too young for Pooh. If somebody says they are, they're lying. And they're stupid. Poopieheads.
  
  
• wisdom
  By on 2000-02-05
  This bear became my hero and my best friend. I only got to know him when I was alteady eighteen, but he has so much to give to people of all ages. I only wish there were more of his adventures!
  
  
• Excellent for all ages
  By on 1999-04-16
  I have loved these stories for as long as I can remember but until last year I had never read the books straight through. It is the strangest feeling to know that you are reading something for the first time and yet remember the story instinctively from early childhood. This book along with the collection of poems is a must have. When my mother read me these stories (starting when I was 2-3 years old) she would get strange looks as she laughed out loud at parts that a toddler can't understand. As a teen I now appreciate these stories on a whole new level.
  
  
• Wiinnie the Pooh is for children and adults!!
  By on 1998-11-26
  I didn't meet Winnie the Pooh until I had children of my own. I enjoyed reading the tales and the poems to my four. My sister and I used to talk to each other in "poohese." To illustrate that these books are for adults, also, when my eldest left home she requested "A Pooh Reading" the last night. She also took the books with her to college and read them after some of the "heavy" required reading she had to do. Now that she is in her forties, she takes the books with her and uses them to teach English -- and to relax after busy days. In fact, I think adults enjoy the books even more than children. Adults understand how true to life the stories are! Especially if their introduction was correct! (Hearing them read by an excellent reader makes all the difference! I feel sorry for anyone who has missed that!) And when I was a Weight Watcher lecturer, I used "Chapter 2 In Which Pooh Goes Visiting and Gets into a Tight Place." It fits very well! Don't discontinue Pooh just because you are "Grown up!"
  
  
• Classic Book -- Classic Pooh.
  By A3CZYL0VY3ZZ97 on 2001-07-18
  I first bought this book for both my niece and a dear friend's little boy... then, I had to buy a copy for myself. A.A. Milne's enchanting stories, combined with Shepard's original illustrations of pooh-n-company, make this book a treasure for ALL ages.

  Although a lover of books, this is the first one I felt compelled to write a review for. I highly recommend this book.
  
  

• This is the best Pooh collection of stories I have seen
  By A2NPUK5V8M2K7T on 2003-06-26
  I love this and my toddler does also. My son loved Winnie the Pooh when he was little, so I had several books, but someone gave me this for my little girl, and she just loves it and I found that it was better than the others I already had.
  
  
• Good to see the classics live on
  By on 2004-01-15
  There is no way Disney's b*stardisation of A A Milnes characters is anything even close to the original. These stories and poems are works of art and it bothers me that they are so degraded by association with an unorignal cartoon very much pitched at the commercial realm and the lowest common denominator. But the originals live on. Do yourself and your children a favour. Buy this book. Introduce them to good literature and stories of timeless (and ageless) appeal. Turn off the TV and read to them. Then, when they go to bed, read them for yourself.
  
  
• must read for the kids
  By on 1997-12-18
  If you have or know any children at all, you'll want to read chapters of this book to them. The original Milne Pooh stories are superb, and the whimsical language is what makes them great. Skip any and all disney versions. The language and the stories are inferior."You're just in time for a little smackerel of something " becomes "let's have a snack" . The orignal stories are memorable and fascinating. Do not waste your time with anything else.
  
  
• Children's book epic
  By A2KMBKB6ZMY9CR on 2001-01-22
  Disney has changed Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne's original stories and Shepard's brilliantly simple original illustrations. These are stories full of wit, adventure, slapstick comedy and heartwarming endings. Disney has made the Pooh into an irritating, cutesy-wootsy merchandise advertisment. Buy this for your kids, put the Disney Pooh in the attic while there's still time. My personal favorite is the elephant hunt. These are sure to delight, inspire and ignite creativity like no Disney adaptation possibly could.
  
  
• Can't stop smiling each time I read the book
  By on 2001-10-05
  I fell in love with the book the first time I read it. And for the first time I wished I could ever write something like it. I wished there were more stories about the silly old honey-loving bear. Kid's book? Not exactly. You can always enjoy it at all ages. By the way, the Pooh is not stupid at all. He is the sweetest creature I've ever heard of. I learn from him that intelligence is not as important or essential as a loving heart.
  
  
• Outstanding collector's book.
  By A3W3XWWGX3JDGX on 2004-03-23
  I got this for my wife (A Pooh fan if there ever was one) when she was six months pregnant with our son. She absolutely loved the classic illustrations, and reading through the book once myself the writing is quite good. I've been reading from this book to my now two-year old son about once or twice a week (I work nights =/) when I am able to when he is in bed ready to go to sleep, and we both enjoy the quiet bonding time while I read to him. He doesn't quite understand everything, but enjoys the rather bad attempts by me to give each character a different sound/voice/accent, but of course he can't tell it's bad. ;)

  We keep this book out of his reach in a very special area, and plan to give it to him when he has his own child as a family heirloom. The book itself is beautiful, wonderfully crafted and illustrated, clearly worth saving for future generations. If you like Pooh and company at all, get it, you won't be dissapointed!
  
  

• SO much better than the cutesy Disney stuff
  By A38JJZMROFPJGQ on 2005-01-02
  Don't get me wrong, Disney has done some great things, e.g. Snow White. But their versions of Pooh (and some of the other classics) are missing so much of the original wit, humor, intelligence, warmth, and quality of illustration that A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard created. Honestly, I think adults get as much enjoyment from the originals as the kids do.
  
  This volume is a fine way to get the complete set of stories, plus a nice introduction with an explanation of the origin of Pooh, the inspiration for Milne and Shepard.
  
  After you order this, get the original (illustrations & text) Beatrix Potter 'Peter Rabbit' volume, for many of the same reasons. Your children will love you for it now and thank you in years to come--and you will be in for a real treat too.
  
  
• Wonderful to read aloud
  By A3SDH3CPHKVGTQ on 2006-01-15
  Just great to get back to the 'book' instead of just videos of Pooh.
  
  
• childhood favorite
  By A1LFM1R6688A0D on 2006-02-24
  Who doesn't love Winnie The Pooh? Don't answer that. This is an excellent and charming book to use for bedtime stories for children. I grew up with it and I still love it! It endears the simplicity of life and love...and honey.
  
  

• The Book of Pooh

• Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales (Potter)
• The Complete Adventures of Curious George
• Where the Wild Things Are
• Goodnight Moon
• The Velveteen Rabbit