Obsession II

While Elmo and Maisy Mouse continue to be the craze with L, there's a new character (and friends!) in town, who's popularity seems to be outdoing the former obsessions.

The character is none other than the beloved chubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff, he's Winnie the Pooh.

A few weeks ago I started singing the Winnie the Pooh theme song (we sing frequently throughout each day) and after she kept asking for "Pooh song!", "Pooh song!". So, I checked out a CD from the library with the theme song and a picture book of Winnie the Pooh and now every time she visits the library she asks, "Pooh Book?", "Pooh Book?". If I had been keeping tabs on the total "Pooh song" and "Pooh book" requests, I'm pretty sure it' would be in the triple digits. Her interest hit an all time peak when my mom sent my old Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Rabbit stuffed animals from when I was a girl to L.

She's in love.

When she's old enough, I'm really looking forward to when I can read her The World of Pooh: The Complete Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. If you're looking for a great read-aloud bedtime book, it doesn't get much better than a visit to the Hundred Acre Woods.

Until that time, below is a list of our favorite books and more featuring that loveable silly ol' bear:

Winnie the Pooh and Some Bees by A.A. Milne, adapted by Stephen Krensky, illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard

This book and the following two titles are easy reader book,  adapted from A.A. Milne's original tales. Perfect for listeners 2-3 & up or the beginning reader.

Eeyore Has a Birthday by A.A. Milne, adapted by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

Pooh Goes Visiting

Other books in this easy reader series include: Pooh Invents a New Game and Tigger Comes to the Forest

Pooh Goes Visiting (Mini Board Book)

And if the adapted easy readers are still a little too long for your child, we really enjoy the Mini Board Book editions like the one above. We found this one at our local used bookstore, The Dusty Bookshelf for a dollar. It's the perfect size to slip into a diaper bag or take in the car.

I Love My Mama by The Walt Disney Company, Isabel Gaines

An easy reader book, Disney-ified. Also a good Mother's Day book pick.

Winnie the Pooh's Colors inspired by A.A.Milne, illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard

Extremely simple picture books for all ages. We also enjoy reading Winnie the Pooh's 1, 2, 3 and Winnie the Pooh's Opposites.

The World of Christopher Robin by A.A. Milne, illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard

My co-worker suggested reading A.A.Milne's poetry to L since she is so ecstatic about Pooh. Her favorite is "Hoppity".

The Essential Guide of Winnie the Pooh by DK Publishing

Large picture book with facts about Pooh and friends. L mostly likes this book for skimming through the pictures.

Songs and Story: Dinsey Winnie the Pooh CD

A few Pooh favorites and a read-aloud of "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree".

The Best of Pooh & Heffalumps Too CD

All the old school Pooh songs like "Little Black Rain Cloud" and "Rumbly in My Tumbly" and the Winnie the Pooh theme song included.

More Pooh Fun!!!

The Pooh Party Book inspired by the four Pooh books by A.A. Milne by Virginia H. Ellison, illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard

I strongly encourage you to check your library to see if they have the next two books, The Pooh Party Book and The Pooh Get-Well Book. They are just so wonderful in every way and a great resource for activities to do with kids of all ages.

The Pooh Party Book is broken up into 5 party categories: "An Eeyore Birthday Party", "A Spring Party", "A Picnic, Swimming, and Exposition Party", "A Honey-Tasting Party for Pooh", and "A Woozle-Wizzle Snow Party". Each party theme includes everything from the tablecloth and napkin styles, to things to eat and drink (like Wafflewitches with Apple Nut Salad, Jam Tea for Six, Honey Bread, and Thistle Snow Ice Cream Soda) to things to make and games to play.

The Pooh Get-Well Book; Recipes and Activites to Help You Recover from Wheezles and Sneezles inspired by the four Pooh books by A.A. Milne by Virginia H. Ellison, illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard

The Pooh Get-Well Book is broken up into categories "Teazles: Puzzles, Poems, and Other Fun with Words", "Strengthening Things to Drink and Eat (like Toddy for a Cough and Hot Clove Oranges!)", and "Pleazles: To Make and Play While Getting Well". Do you remember being a home sick as a kid? It was painfully boring. Sometimes I didn't know what was worse... going to school or staying home sick. My favorite part about this book is the "Pleazles" section which includes bed rest activities like raindrop races, bird-watching from bed, toothpick doodles, and games and coloring sheets to photocopy from the back of the book.

This morning I tracked down and purchased both The Pooh Party Book and The Pooh Get-Well Book to add to our home library. It's too delicious not to.

And if you haven’t had enough of Pooh... Pooh for adults:

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

I read The Tao of Pooh while I was in college and really enjoyed it. It's charming, easy to read, and a unique way to reflect on the morals of Taoism.

The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff

I have not read the The Te of Piglet, but I have been meaning to. I've heard it is equally as enjoyable as The Tao of Pooh.

image sources:the world of pooh, winnie the pooh and some bees, eeyore has a birthday, pooh goes visiting, mini board book, i love you mama, winnie the pooh's colors, the world of christopher robin, the essential guide of winnie the pooh, songs and story, the best of winnie the pooh, pooh party book, pooh get well book, Tao of pooh and te of piglet,