Continuing along in my series of children's books I will focus today on "The House at Pooh Corner". I chose to highlight this book rather than "Winnie the Pooh" which preceded it because I find Pooh Corner to be a little deeper and more rewarding to an adult reader. It is a tale not only of make believe but also of growing up and having to leave those dreams behind.
If the only Winnie the Pooh that you are familiar with is the one portrayed in the Disney movies I hope that one day you will read the books. A.A.Milne writes with particular wit and poignancy about the endless imaginings that occur in the mind of the very young. The difference between the books and the cartoon movies is like the difference between a stuffed version of the "Disney Pooh" and the "Classic Pooh". Classic Pooh may be less flashy and less recognizable but he is also more believable. He could be the stuffed bear of any small boy or girl, maybe even a bear that sat on the shelf of your own childhood bedroom.
The House at Pooh Corner is a chapter book that introduces us to Tigger as well as continuing the stories of the characters that we met in Milne's "Winnie the Pooh". In this book our friends play Pooh Sticks, build Eeyore a house, and go on a great many adventures. Though the characters are simple their relationships are deep. I could go on for ages but I think this passage from the book speaks for itself.
“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh," he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, "I just wanted to be sure of you."”
Again, I could turn this into a manifesto on Pooh so I will just keep to what I think is the driving force in this book, the ending of childhood.
The last chapter of "The House at Pooh Corner" is also the last chapter of all the Pooh stories. Earlier in the book when discussing the game of Pooh sticks we learn about the stream that they play the game in.
By the time it came to the edge of the Forest, the stream had grown
up, so that it was almost a river, and, being grown-up, it did not run
and jump and sparkle along as it used to do when it was younger,
but moved more slowly. For it knew now where it was going, and it
said to itself, "There is no hurry. We shall get there some day."
This is a beautiful metaphor for growing up and indicative of Milne's style. This book is full of witticisms, life lessons, relationships, and wisdom without seeming too heavy or forced. And like the stream knows that it must one day become a river Milne knows that Christopher Robin must grow up and that the stories of Pooh must come to an end. At the end of the book there is a heartwarming conversation between Christopher Robin and Pooh in an "enchanted place" and you are left with a sense of biter sweet sadness. I question whether most readers understand that they are sad not only for Pooh who must say goodbye to Christopher Robin but also for themselves and their own lost childhood. But in the last lines Milne wraps the story up very nicely leaving us with the hope that in some ways our innocence and imagination live on. It is a testament also to the written word as through this book Pooh takes on a life of his own and becomes not just a little boy's plaything but a friend to children everywhere. Incidentally the same words that end the book were read at the funeral of Christopher Robin Milne.
"So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."
So beautifully and eloquently expressed, as is everything you write. Thanks to your post I spent almost an hour visiting with Pooh and his friends last night. The only thing better would have been having Dylan or Patrick to read aloud to. I am enjoying your blog and can’t wait to find out the other books on your list. I am sure I could guess some of them.
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