#Celebrating the Silly Old Bear
Did you know Winnie-the-Pooh from the Hundred Acre Wood was inspired by a real-life black bear who lived at the London Zoo during World War I? The book's author, A. A. Milne, even had a son named Christopher Robin (who later became a bookseller)! After meeting the fun-loving "Winnipeg" on a trip to the zoo, Christopher Robin ended up naming his own dear teddy bear after her. Eventually, his father would write poems and stories about their adventures.
Of course, Disney bought the rights to the characters in the 1960s and after that, even more people became friends with the honey-loving bear. Since then, there have been more books, TV shows, movies (animated and live-action), and more! But if you'd like to read the poems and stories that started it all, we've got a large collection right here at Jacksonville Public Library!
National Winnie the Pooh Day commemorates author A. A. Milne's birthday on January 18, 1882. So, grab some honey, and your favorite Pooh Bear book, and join us in celebrating this "silly old bear" and the author who originally brought him and his pals to life.
