In these difficult times, the birthday of a beloved book, TV, and movie character from childhood feels like the perfect excuse to curl up within the comfort and safety of nostalgia. And boy do we need it!

For so many of us, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo were beloved childhood friends who taught us foundational values like friendship, tolerance, kindness, and play. The Hundred Acre Wood was, and still is for this writer, a safe place where exploration is encouraged and everyone is loved for their quirks. And when something bad happens—like when Owl's house in the tree falls over on a particularly windy day or Eeyore loses his tail—Christopher Robin comes by to take care of everyone. Who wouldn't want to feel the comfort of that kind of safe bubble after the past seven months we've had?

It should be no surprise that the stories of Pooh Bear and his friends create for us a bubble into which we can escape the stress of our lives for a few minutes. When A. A. Milne published his first book with our honey-loving friend, 94 years ago today, the world was still reeling from the end of World War I and coming to grips with the idea that we were all a little less safe. (Sound familiar?) Milne wanted to create a world where children and adults alike could escape and recover. The Hundred Acre Wood became that place.

And so, to celebrate this special day, I've gathered a few of my favorite Winnie the Pooh stories, plus a few that explore the same themes. I encourage you to take a few minutes from your day and make a visit to the Hundred Acre Wood. You might come back from your trip feeling a little less alone and a little more hopeful.
 

Pooh’s Happy Halloween written by Ann Braybrooks; illustrated by Costa Alavezos

ebook

Watch out for scary heffalumps! Come along for some adventure when Pooh and Piglet get in the Halloween spirit with a fun and spooky night of trick-or-treating.

Winnie-the-Pooh written by A. A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

ebook

The adventures of Pooh and Piglet, Kanga and tiny Roo, Owl, Rabbit, and the ever doleful Eeyore are timeless treasures of childhood. In this beautiful edition, each of Ernest H. Shepard's beloved original illustrations has been meticulously hand-painted. Bright in color and elegant in design, this lovely volume of Milne's classic tales welcomes friends old and new into the most enchanted of places, the Hundred Acre Wood.

Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees written by A. A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

book

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Pooh hears a buzzing noise and he knows what that means-bees! Bees, of course, mean honey, and Pooh has a clever idea for getting some.

A.A. Milne’s Pooh Classics written by A. A. Milne, performed by Peter Dennis

audiobook

Come with us to an Enchanted Place, a forest where Winnie-the-Pooh lived with Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Eeyore, Kanga, and Little Roo. The stories are about Christopher Robin and these good companions having wonderful times getting in and out of trouble. It is all very exciting and, really, quite thrilling no matter how young or old you may be. It is painful to try and imagine what the world would be like without them.
 

The Collected Stories of Winnie-the-Pooh read by Stephen Fry, Judi Dench, Geoffrey Palmer, Jane Horrocks, and Michael Williams

audiobook

The Bear of Very Little Brain and his friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood have delighted generations of children since Winnie-the-Pooh was first published in 1926. This anniversary edition of Winnie-the-Pooh is the perfect way to celebrate the enduring popularity of A. A. Milne's classic work. Three cheers for Pooh!

Now We Are Six written by A. A. Milne, performed by Peter Dennis

audiobook

This second collection of poetry from Milne strikes another enchanting chord. There are verses about King John and the King of Peru alongside more down-to-earth fare about playing with toy trains and walking in the morning. In verses about fanciful subjects and everyday events alike, A.A. Milne evokes the simple wonder and timelessness of childhood.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | starring the voice talents of Larry Clemmons, John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman, Jon Walmsley, Sebastian Cabot, and Paul Winchell

film

Experience the very first time Tigger pounces Pooh; laugh out loud when Pooh's rumbly tumbly gets him stuck in a hilariously sticky situation-all your favorite Hundred Acre Wood characters come alive in this timeless motion picture overflowing with rich animation, masterful storytelling, and unforgettable songs. Share all the fun, whimsy, and wonder in this special edition of the original Disney classic, digitally restored and remastered in high definition to thrill a whole new generation!
 

Christopher Robin | starring Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, and Bronte Carmichael

film

The young boy, who loved taking adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with a gang of spirited and loveable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into that world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.

The Tigger Movie | starring the voice talents of Jim Cummings, Nikita Hopkins, and Ken Sansom

film

In this charming musical tale of friendship, adventure, and tremendous tiggerific fun, Tigger sets off on a journey to find other Tiggers and through his adventures, comes to understand that families come in all shapes and sizes, even if they all look different.

The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh by Kathryn Aalto

Freading ebook

Delve into the home of the world’s most beloved bear! The Hundred Acre Wood—the setting for Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures—was inspired by Ashdown Forest, a wildlife haven that spans more than 6,000 acres in southeast England. In the pages of this enchanting book, you can visit the ancient black walnut tree on the edge of the forest that became Pooh’s house, go deep into the pine trees to find Poohsticks Bridge, and climb up to the top of the enchanted Galleons Lap, where Pooh says goodbye to Christopher Robin. You will discover how Milne's childhood connection with nature and his role as a father influenced his famous stories, and how his close collaboration with illustrator E. H. Shepard brought those stories to life. This charming book also serves as a guide to the plants, animals, and places of the remarkable Ashdown Forest, whether you are visiting in person or from the comfort of your favorite armchair. In a delightful narrative, enriched with Shepard’s original illustrations, hundreds of color photographs, and Milne’s own words, you will rediscover your favorite characters and the magical place they called home.
 

When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne

Freading poetry ebook

Composed of dozens of poems by the author who has delighted generations of children and adults alike with characters such as Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, and Eeyore, this book is a warm, whimsical journey through childhood that includes such classic verses as "Halfway Down," "Teddy Bear" (which introduced Pooh to the world), "At the Zoo," "The King’s Breakfast," "Shoes and Stockings," and "Buckingham Palace," plus many more.