Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too

Did you know that Winnie the Pooh- the REAL Winnie the Pooh- is living in New York City?

Winnie, Piglet, Kanga, Eeyore, and Tigger are all on view in their new digs at the New York Public Library in the Children's Room.



That last one is Piglet. Can you believe how cute he is? Oh my lord, he looks like a little potato.

These stuffed animals were gifts from A.A. Milne to his son Christopher Robin, who played with them in the REAL Hundred Acre Woods in England in the early 1920's. The stuffed animals inspired Milne to write the Pooh stories.

ScoutingNY has some lovely photos of the gang in their little case, and a funny anecdote about the well-being of the animals:

In 1998, British Member of Parliament Gwyneth Dunwoody visited the dolls and urged that they be returned to the Britain, saying she “detected sadness.” Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani then announced he had a discussion with Pooh, who apparently told him: “I want everyone in Britain and America to know that we’re very, very happy here in New York City.”

It does look pretty depressing in there. Paint the walls or something, NYPL. Jeez.

Looking at these little guys and thinking of their adventures makes me tear up. Stuffed animals are very powerful.

Example a) the Velveteen Rabbit.



Example b) I am 25 years old and still treat my bear Boofa like he is 100% real. Because he is. Obvs.



Photos of Pooh & Co. from ScoutingNY