Here’s a rare recording from 1929 of the British author A.A. Milne reading a chapter of his beloved children’s book, Winnie-the-Pooh. Milne was a prolific writer of plays, novels and essays, but he was most widely known–much to his chagrin–as the creator of a simple and good-natured little bear.
Pooh was inspired by his son Christopher Robin’s favorite teddy bear. In Milne’s imagination, the stuffed bear comes alive and enters into little adventures (or one might say misadventures) with Christopher Robin and his other stuffed animals. The name “Winnie” was borrowed from a famous resident of the London Zoo: a black bear from Canada named for the city of Winnipeg. The young Christopher Robin liked visiting Winnie at the zoo. He also liked a graceful swan he saw swimming in a pond at Kensington Gardens, who he named “Pooh.” His father combined the two names to create one of the most popular characters in children’s literature.
Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in stories and poems in popular magazines. In 1926 Milne collected them in a book, Winnie-the-Pooh, with illustrations by E.H. Shepard. Each chapter in the book is a self-contained episode or story. In the recording below, Milne reads Chapter Three (click here to open the text in new a window) “In Which Pooh and Piglet Go Hunting and Nearly Catch a Woozle.”
Looking for free, professionally-read audio books from Audible.com? Here’s a great, no-strings-attached deal. If you start a 30 day free trial with Audible.com, you can download two free audio books of your choice. Get more details on the offer here.
And note this: Audiobooks.com also has a free trial offer where you can download a free audiobook. Details.
Related Content:
200 Free Kids Educational Resources: Video Lessons, Apps, Books, Websites & More
The Epistemology of Dr. Seuss & More Philosophy Lessons from Great Children’s Stories
Morgan Freeman Teaches Kids to Read in Vintage Electric Company Footage from 1971
When I click the Free eBooks link, scroll down to Milne and attempt to view the books in ePub, Kindle, or PDF formats, I get the message: “The item is not available due to issues with the item’s content.”
Thank you for this! What a treat!
Oh, thank you! My mom used to read all of Pooh’s adventures to me when I was little. That was back in the 50’s. so many memories and laughs. That was just the best Pooh treat I have had in a while. Thank you so much.
My generation of baby boomers had a steady stream of this wonderful stuff throughout our childhoods, lucky us! – and I have most of Milne’s works on my shelves today.
One thing I’ve noticed since listening to Douglas Adams reading “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is that authors reading their own material is not as good as it gets. But it’s still terrific.
Very cool! So glad we have the technology to listen to classics like this!!!
Well done this is a interesting book n when you read it , you don’t get bored
Great find. Also, what is this music in the video? Very hoi polloi!
This is WONDERFUL. Should be mandatory reading for kids. And adults.
What a wonderful treat to hear the author’s own voice reading his work! His Winnie the Pooh stories have been a favourite of mine since childhood. I read them with my children and hope to read them with my grandchildren someday.
This is such a fantastic site! Thank you for all your hard work!
Utterly charming. Missed hearing or reading any of Milne in my childhood. My loss.
Hello,
I work for a television company, we would like to use this recording of A A Milne in a program we are making. Please could you let me know who I would need to speak to regarding copyright.
Many thanks,
rachel
Just wonderful!! Thank you!! I wish we had more of this amazing classic author reading my favorite book. It’s unfortunate how children are missing out on so much these days! That’s just my opinion. Thank you for this amazing treat!!!!