How it all began – a review of the book “Once there was a Bear”

A bear with a very small mind has been winning the hearts of children and adults for many years. This time, he returns with a brand new literary adventure by Jane Riordan, who skilfully captures the spirit of AA Milne’s novel.

Winnie, Tigger, Piglet, Owl, Kanga and Roo, Eeyore and Rabbit are a wonderful group of friends from Hundred Acree Wood (or Ashdown depending on the translation) forest, which together with the little boy Christopher have already experienced many adventures. But how did it all start, how did Pooh become Pooh, and what happened before friends met, liked each other and started spending time together? These questions are answered by a collection of ten short stories by Jane Riordan, illustrated by Mark Burgess and inspired by the work of AA Milne and accompanying illustrations by EH Shepard.

Has Eeyore always been so cranky?

Jane Riordan planned to become a school teacher, but her love of children’s literature made her work as a writer. Among the titles she has published, you can find a book published on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh, which recently also appeared on our market (thanks to the Znak Emotikon publishing house), i.e. Winnie the Pooh. There was a teddy bear .

Is Pooh the only bear in London?

Jane Riordan’s collection written in AA Milne style takes us back to where it all began. We get to know the events leading to the fact that Winnie the Pooh appeared in the hands of little Krzys (although originally a completely different child became the owner of Winnie the Pooh). Another plush toy that came to the boy’s house turned out to be initially mistaken for the cloth, the grumpy Eeyore. In the case of Piglet, we don’t learn much, but he also belongs to the original trio who still lived with Krzys in London, that is, before the events of the Hundredum Forest.

Can honey be a pirate’s treasure?

Riordan’s stories nicely complement our knowledge of our favorite characters. Each of the characters known to us from Milne’s original work is devoted in a consistent way, so we do not feel any disconnect between He Was a Bear and the canonical titles. The style used by the author also takes us again to the children’s, adventurous world of games and animal friends. Of course, the described events are simple and light, which makes them ideal for the youngest (not only Puchatek fans!) To read.

Will Piglet fit in a wellington boot?

It is worth mentioning that the graphic side of the new adventures of Christopher and his stuffed animals is also extremely attractive. These are not Disney-styled characters, but the nicely retro versions of them that we’ve seen in Milne’s books thanks to EH Shepard. Mark Burgess, the author of these illustrations, beautifully depicted the character and atmosphere of new stories not only thanks to his line, but also the colors used. So, reaching for There Was a Bear , we received a contemporary title, which in its content and form perfectly imitates the old editions of children’s books, and this delights us from the very first moments with the novel.

Perfect for collections

If I could, I would make a purr in honor of this publication, but because I am not on my way with such creations, I can write that it is a book worth buying and reading. Fans of Winnie and his friends will surely appreciate it, and those unfamiliar with Milne’s work will get a foretaste of what to expect in it.