The Return of a Classic

I’m so excited about this I can hardly stand it.

Pooh Properties has authorized a sequel to be written to the original Winnie the Pooh Books by A. A. Milne.  Of course A. A. Milne is no longer with us, but the trustees of the Pooh series found someone they finally felt was worthy and capable to continue on with what Milne began.

Some Pooh purists may be shaking their fists right now, shouting out…

“No! No one can write a true Pooh book but Milne.  There shall be no sequels! … No, no, and NO!”

I’m almost one of you, except that the idea of there being a new Pooh book, or several new Pooh books coming, is too exciting a prospect not to hold out hope for.

Oh I hope, I hope, I hope they chose wisely and that these books carry with them the EXACT same charm and beauty as the originals.

The Return to the Hundred Acre Wood goes on sale this MONDAY, October 5, 2009.

The author of the new book is a writer by the name of David Benedictus.  He is no stranger to the Pooh series having been the voice for several of the Pooh recordings.  You who are Pooh purists should be comforted to know that Benedictus is from London, England… clearly a REQUIREMENT for approval.

The illustrator, Mark Burgess, is also no stranger to the Pooh series, having already done Pooh illustrations for the original books but in their later releases, as well as having done illustrations for Paddington Bear.  He is also a London, Englander.

Just look at the artwork on the cover.  Classic and beautiful.

I’m so excited! I’m so excited!

Compose…. continue.

The tales in the Return to the Hundred Acre Wood are said to begin where The House at Pooh Corner left off eighty years ago when it was first written.  Christopher Robin apparently and appropriately will be a tad bit older and all our classic favorite characters will be a part of these new adventures.

Now Pooh purists, I’m going to share something with you about this new book and please try to stay seated until I finish.  It’s going to be ok… I think.  Just try to refrain from once again shaking your fists in the air until you’ve heard these details completely.

Okay.  Here we go.

Though Return to the Hundred Acre Wood includes all of our old favorite friends, it also introduces one new friend.

Aaat! Hold it! Fists down. Sit!… I’m not finished.

The new character is said to be an otter by the name of Lottie.  Think about it… an otter… named Lottie.  That sounds adorably in step with the classics… though I’m not sure where his ocean will be, but I’m excited to find out.  Now not only is the idea of a new little otter joining our gang adorable, but Lottie is said to be a great passionate fan of the game of cricket and a stickler for etiquette.

Are your hearts melting?

I’m so excited, I’m so excited!

So tomorrow you know where you can find me.  At the crack of dawn I will be at my town bookstore, face pressed against the window saying, “Open, open, open.”

And you can certainly count on more from me this month after my children and I have read the book… we’ll let you know what we think!

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