Celebrate AA Milne’s birthday by reading the Winnie the Pooh author’s classic books and poems

As the author’s world-famous story, this is a masterpiece in children’s literature and reflects the power of a child’s imagination like no other. Written for his son Christopher Robin, this story is set in the Hundred Acre Wood and brings to life Christopher's favourite teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends Piglet, Owl and the ever doleful Eeyore. Following their adventures, from when Piglet and Pooh try to trap a Heffalump to when Eeyore loses his tail and Pooh sets out to find it, Winnie-the-Pooh is packed full of timeless wisdom and words that will resonate with you whatever your age. Our favourite quote? Piglet: “How do you spell love?” Pooh: “You don’t spell it, you feel it.”

In this second edition about Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends in the famous woods, we meet the boisterous and exuberant Tigger who has an affinity for bouncing and often introduces himself by announcing the proper way to spell his name “T-I-double-guh-err”. Hints that Christopher Robin is growing up are scattered throughout this novel and finally come to head in the final chapter when the characters throw him a farewell party after they discover he has to leave them soon. With the final line as poignant as all the others: "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". 

The first volume of poetry for children, When We Were Very Young serves up the same heart-warming level of humour, imagination and whimsy as the novels that preceded it. The book begins with an introduction titled “Just Before We Begin”, prompting readers to imagine who the narrator is. With more than 30 poems, this is the perfect antidote for trying times. 

In a continuation of poetry, AA Milne’s Now We Are Six is an exploration of childhood through the eyes of six-year-old Christopher Robin and sees Pooh helping him with his schoolwork. With beautiful illustrations by EH Shepard, this is a tome to cherish now and pass down through the generations for years to come. 

Packed with Milne’s characteristic self-deprecating humour, It’s Too Late Now is an autobiography that recalls his life from a happy childhood to penning his children’s novels and poems. Touching on meeting famous authors, such as HG Wells, JM Barrie, and Rudyard Kipling, as well as his scorn with Dorothy Parker after she wrote a scathing review of The House at Pooh Corner in the New Yorker. Deemed a fascinating and insightful read into one of the greatest authors of our time.   

Taking you far away from the gentle happenings of Hundred Acre Wood comes The Red House Mystery, AA Milne’s whodunnit detective story that uncovers a puzzling murder. Full of “By Jove!” and “I say, old chap!”, its often a forgotten gem from a time before Winnie-the-Pooh.