Happy Birthday Winnie the Pooh 1926-2026

Pooh: “What day is it?”

Piglet: “It’s today, my favorite day.”

The character of Winnie-the-Pooh was inspired by a stuffed toy that Milne had bought for his son Christopher Robin in Harrods department store, and also a bear named Winnie they had viewed at London Zoo. In this post I am going to focus on the original version with illustrations by EH Shepherd. The Disney creations date from 1961.

In my third library working as a Teacher Librarian, I had a set of handmade Winnie the Pooh toys - they were made from a sewing pattern. I wish I had kept them as I am sure they are no longer in that library:

They looked a little like this:

The actual original toys currently reside the New York City Public Library. You can see baby Roo is missing but just a few weeks ago the King and Queen of England visited the US and Camilla bought a new little Roo with her. The toy was faithfully reproduced by the company who made the original set.

There is something almost impossibly moving about the fact that Queen Camilla, one of the most prominent advocates for reading in the world today, walked into the New York Public Library in late April 2026 and did something no one had managed to do for nearly ninety years: she reunited Roo with his family. The Queen's Reading Room, her beloved literary charity born quietly on Instagram during the pandemic, brought her to the NYPL's iconic Fifth Avenue branch for a historic UK-US literacy celebration, and the guest list alone was extraordinary, Dame Anna Wintour, the legendary fashion and cultural force who has shaped taste and culture for decades, and Sarah Jessica Parker, who told a reporter ahead of the event that her 'great focus' was on funding for libraries at a time when so many face hardship. 

But it was the children in that Trustees Room who owned the day. They had been taught by broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth to practice their bows and curtseys, and when the Queen arrived they erupted in a chorus of 'Hello, Your Majesty!' that filled the room with the kind of joy you cannot manufacture. Camilla read aloud to them from the Pooh books, her voice warm and unhurried, the way a grandmother reads, the way a best friend reads. And then, with breathtaking gentleness, she handed over the little Roo, handmade by Merrythought, Britain's oldest teddy bear maker, to NYPL President Dr. Anthony Marx, completing a collection that had waited since the 1930s to be whole. The Queen herself had said it best: 'Books are the best friends you can have, in good times and in bad.' On this day, in this library, that truth felt more alive than ever, and a tiny stuffed kangaroo, after nine decades away, finally came home."

Giles Brandreth (not pictured here) was at this event because he has written a new book about AA Milne:

Watch a video here and you can read an extract on the publisher page

You might find this book in your local or school library:

Winnie-the-Pooh quotes:

Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So today is my new favorite day.

As soon as I saw you I knew a grand adventure was about to happen.

Pooh: “I don’t feel very much like Pooh today.”

Piglet: “I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.”

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.

Always wear a smile, because your smile is a reason for many others to smile!

Piglet: “What’s the first thing you say to yourself in the morning?”

Pooh:”What’s for breakfast? What do you say, Piglet?”

Piglet:”I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?”

Pooh: “It’s the same thing.”

The Girl who Raced the World by Nat Harrison

Maggie is an orphan. All Maggie Appleton has is a letter written by her mother that she must deliver to a stranger but on the way the letter is taken by a policeman/detective. Maggie is distraught but she continues her journey through London having just escaped from the workhouse only to make the surprising discovery that the man who was supposed to get this letter now works as a valet for the famous explorer Phileas Fogg. I need to tell you that all of this action takes place over the first 25 pages. 

Maggie is swept up into the famous journey around the world and, as you are sure to have already guessed, and time is ticking because this unlikely crew have to be back in London in just 80 days. Maggie also needs to get her important letter back from , but she needs to keep Mr Fogg away from the Detective Fix because she knows it is not true that Phileas Fogg stole thousands of pounds from the bank. Has he been framed?

If you love trains, ships, catastrophes, wild story twists, and heroes you will devour this debut book by Nat Harrison. I read the whole book of over 300 pages in one day - yes, it is that good. This book could also be a terrific family read aloud. Oh, and I love the gold embossed cover. There are world maps scattered through this book but I would also suggest you might grab a real, old-fashioned, atlas so you can follow the around the world journey in more detail. Your young reading companion is sure, also, to ask questions about the way time works in the world and how you can jump days when you travel from west to east.

Book seller blurb: It is 1872 and, when Maggie Appleton's beloved mother dies, she is left with nothing but a letter for a mysterious stranger called Passepartout. With nowhere else to turn, Maggie seeks out Passepartout and, in doing so, is drawn into an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. Together with Passepartout's employer, the enigmatic Mr Phileas Fogg, Maggie journeys to Italy, India, Hong Kong, Japan and America, in a daring race against time to win the wager Mr Fogg has accepted. But with a bank robber on the loose, an angry Inspector on their tail and unread secrets in her mother's letter, Maggie soon discovers that there is much more at stake than keeping on schedule to win the bet. Who can she really trust - and will she ever find out where she truly belongs?

Listen to an audio sample.

Maggie is a feisty and relatable character, providing an ingenious and accessible doorway to the world of late Victorian explorers and their heroic exploits. Book Trust

Each character has a distinct voice and purpose, making the group feel like a true family created through shared experiences and mutual respect. Harrison also updates moments from Verne’s original story to reflect contemporary values. Just when readers think the journey is over, Harrison invites them to imagine where Maggie and her newfound family might travel next and what new adventures await them. This is a gentle, exciting promise that the spirit of exploration and love continues beyond the final page. Children's Books Ireland

Like other readers who pick up this book I have not read the Jules Verne classic - Round the World in 80 days - so my knowledge of the plot was somewhat limited. I am telling you this because your young reader aged 10+ can easily read this new book The Girl who Raced the World with absolutely no idea about the original story. They are sure to enjoy this action-packed adventure. Some readers though might, after reading this book, which is based on the famous 1872 book, want to hunt out the Jules Verne story or perhaps read an abridged version or listen to it as an audio book. Huge thanks to Gleebooks Kids for sharing this new book with me. The Girl who Raced the World is available in paperback but if you find the hardcover edition you must lift the dust jacket - there is a terrific surprise under the cover. 

Here it is (from Instagram)

I now discover I have read several books with covers designed by Tom Clohosy Cole. (Cobweb; An Elephant in the Garden; Clifftoppers).  Here are some teaching ideas to use with The Girl who Raced the World. 

The sequel to The Girl who Raced the World is due later this year:

Companion books:

The Silver Arrow

The train to impossible places

The Boundless

On the Blue Comet

The Ship of Doom

The Pearl in the Ice

Meet the Canadian illustrator Thao Lam

Image source: House of Anansi 

About Thao Lam: Thao Lam fled from Vietnam to Canada with her family as a child. Learning English was difficult, and it was picture books that helped her understand this new world and ignited her passion for visual storytelling. She has an insatiable love for colored and textured papers, which she uses to create her exuberant collages. Source

Take a look here to read more about many of these titles.

The Paper Boat is part of the IBBY Silent Book collection and Everybelly was selected as a title for the 2026 USBBY Outstanding International Book list. 

Read the Kirkus Star review of The Paper boat. Here is a video of Thao talking about this book. 

Bookseller blurb for Thao (the book): A funny, eye-opening story about the challenges of growing up with an unfamiliar name and learning to be true to yourself, new from the critically acclaimed Thao Lam. Even though it's only four simple, familiar letters long, nobody can ever pronounce Thao's name. She's been called Theo, Tail, even Towel! But the teasing names - Tofu, Tiny, China Girl - are worse. Maybe it's time to be someone else? Thao decides to try on a different name, something easy, like Jennifer. It works, but only until she opens her lunchbox to find her mother's Vietnamese spring rolls, ... Thao's favorite! Now, it feels a lot more comfortable to be herself. Simple on the surface, this story inspired by Thao's own childhood is full of humour, heart, and important ideas of diversity, inclusion, and cultural pride. The story will be instantly relatable to readers who have ever felt different. Designed with a playful emphasis on typography, and Thao's own childhood photos added to her signature cut-paper collage, THAO champions being true to yourself and your background, and being empathetic towards others. It is a celebration of all that's in a name and the power of owning your identity.

Kirkus Star review comments:

Every Belly: Through cut-paper collage illustrations, Lam spotlights a noteworthy diversity ... 

Wallpaper: Paper-collage illustrations lend texture and depth to this fantastical story, with individual elements providing layers so real readers will want to lift them up and peek underneath. Simple shapes (triangles for trees) and careful attention to detail make complex emotions visible and real for young readers. The hand-lettered title adds to the accessibility and childlike qualities of this book. A unique and visually stunning approach to the classic dilemma of making new friends.

The Line in the Sand: The artwork uses bold pops of color and geometric designs to tell an elegant, profound story.

Meet the Canadian illustrator Elly Mackay

Butterfly Park

Bio: Elly MacKay is an acclaimed paper artist and award-winning children’s bookmaker. She is the author and illustrator of a number of picture books, including In the Clouds and Red Sky at Night, and has illustrated, among others The Enchanted Symphony by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and I A a Meadow Mermaid and The Secret Fawn by Kallie George. Before pursuing a career in picture books, she taught in schools and was an educator in galleries. Elly lives in the winter kingdom of Owen Sound, Ontario, where she and her family often search for snow dragons in the gardens and fields nearby. 

Read about her process here and see all of her picture books. I am attending the IBBY Congress in Ottawa - hopefully Elly Mackay will be there too sharing her wonderful work.

Here is an interview with Marmalade Books. You might like to follow her work on Instagram.

Kirkus review comments:

The Bunny Ballet: Though select stylistic elements invoke the pastoral aesthetic of Little Golden Books of yore, MacKay’s art is something special, a marriage of vintage and contemporary in its ethereal dreaminess and Technicolor detail. The result is an enchanting bedtime incantation, one that’s light on narrative tension and rich in immersive loveliness. (Star review)

The Tallest Treehouse: MacKay’s backlit dioramas, suffused with watery colors, glow gauzily. Moss greens and dawn pinks conjure the light-skinned fairies’ forest, a place that feels both familiar and faraway. 

Here is a list of her newest and forthcoming titles:

• The Island of Wild Horses. by Elly MacKay. Tundra Books, 2028.
• Fox Fairies. by Elly MacKay. Tundra Books, 2027.
• A Forest Begins Anew by Louise Aamodt. Ill. by Elly MacKay. Astra Young Readers, 2026.
• Twelve Daring Grays: A Whale Migration Adventure by Nora Nickum. Ill. by Elly MacKay. Candlewick, 2026.
• The Bunny Ballet. Written by Nora Ericson, Ill. by Elly MacKay. Abrams, 2025.

MacKay’s captivating ink and paper illustrations were layered and enhanced with wire, colored filters, and light and then photographed for a glowing and serene three-dimensional effect. The speckled whales seem ready to splash off the page in each dioramic scene. Kirkus Star review

And here are all her previous titles:

• Frostfire. by Elly MacKay. Tundra Books, 2024.
• The Enchanted Symphony. by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. Abrams Kids, 2023.
• I Am a Meadow Mermaid. by Kallie George. Tundra, 2023.
• Zap! Clap! Boom! Written by Laura Purdie Salas. Bloomsbury, 2023.
• Too Early. Written by Nora Ericson. Abrams, 2022.
• In The Clouds. by Elly MacKay. Tundra Books, 2022.
• Hidden Treasure. by Elly MacKay. Running Press Kids, 2021.
• The Secret Fawn. by Kallie George. Tundra Books, 2021.
• The Tallest Treehouse. Running Press Kids, 2019.
• Red Sky at Night. Tundra Books, 2018.
• Waltz of the Snowflakes. Running Press Kids, 2017.
• Maya. by Mahak Jain. Owlkids, 2016.
• Beach Baby. by Laurie Elmquist.  Orca, 2016.
• Butterfly Park. by Elly MacKay. Running Press Kids, 2015.
• Shadow Chasers. by Elly MacKay. Running Press Kids, 2014.
• Fall Leaves. by Loretta Holland.  Clarion Books, 2014.

And I now discover Elly Mackay did the cover for A most magical girl by Australian author Karen Foxlee.

Cyril and Pat by Emily Gravett

Cheeky yet sincere. Kirkus

Cyril thought he was living alone in the park until the day he met Pat. Pat is grey and Cyril is sure Pat is another squirrel but is he? Other park dwellers can see the 'truth' but Cyril can only see a friend! Until the day someone blurts out the word rat. Does this mean the end of their friendship?

A colourful, rhyming story about friendship against the odds which is enhanced by illustrations that are witty, detailed, expressive and atmospheric. Funny and endearing, Cyril’s experience celebrates independent thought and the joy of difference. Book Trust

The really lucky thing about a charity bookfair is when people clear out their bookshelves and donate brand new books. Yes Cyril and Pat was published in 2018 but I would guess this book was only read once or twice in a family. It was purchased from a local bookstore in July 2018. I picked this book up partly because I really like books by Emily Gravett but also because this book (only AUS$4) had an intact dust jacket and the copy is in mint condition. The case reveal is wonderful (that's the surprise you find under the dust jacket) and here it is:

A fun topic to explore with your library group or class could be 'unlikely friends'. If you click the label on this post you will find more books on this theme. I especially love the two Bear and Chook books. And another book series featuring a squirrel are the books by Smriti Halls.

Emily Gravett won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2005 for her debut book Wolves and then again in 2008 for Little Mouse's book of Fears.

Kirkus Star review

Kirkus Star review

I recently read this wonderful book for readers aged 10+:

Answers to Dog by Pete Hautman

"He went back to the gate and shoved his paw through the chain link and batted at the latch handle. It moved a little, but the gate remained locked. He got up on his hind feet and pushed both front paws through and clawed at the latch. It moved in a new way. The dog remembered how the metal bolt had slid to one side. He nudged it over with one paw. It was not enough. He pulled his paw out and pushed it back through, one space over, and nudged the bolt again, until it would go no further. He pulled his paw free and butted the gate with his forehead. It swung open."

Evan sees a dog outside his house. He knows his mother (and probably his father too) will never allow him to have a dog but right from the beginning he seems to have a special connection with this white Border Collie dog. Meanwhile 'Dog' as he is called has run away from an intensely cruel situation. On the edge of town there is a dog breeder - he breeds Border Collie dogs and perhaps in the past he was kind but now he is drunk most of the time and the dogs are starving and horribly neglected.

Evan tracks down the dog kennels ironically named Happy Dog. He finds the stray and their friendship strengthens but Peter Grey, the owner, demands $5000 for this dog. There is no way Evan could ever find that much money.

In a book like this you just know early on that this cruel man is destined to be 'punished' in some way and so I cheered when he was hurt falling off a ladder. I cheered when Dog ran to Evan's house and then  made the boy run the 7 miles back to the kennels and I cheered (well no I won't tell you this part but this story does have a truly wonderful and happy ending). 

My biggest question at the end of this splendid book is about Evan's mother. I wanted to know more about her life and about her withdrawal from the world and about her previous dog. Mum cooks fantastic meals even though each recipe is different the meals follow a set pattern of stew, chicken, roast, soup and sandwiches, and a vegetarian meal. Her care with the food and of her garden and later of Evan when is feet are badly hurt gave me tiny glimpses into this important character. Evan's father is also a complex character but he does connect with his son and the scenes where they share meals together are very special. 

There are other minor characters in this story who are also interesting: Calder has alopecia; Kellen is very small for his age with huge ears and so is a victim of relentless bullying; and Hana has just had complex surgery to repair her leg and so she has limited mobility. Hana is an important character because she loves dogs and she is able to help Evan and answer his questions about the dreadful practice of puppy farms. 

If you are talking with your class about foreshadowing, you could use this passage:

"The driveway was rutted, uneven and dotted with clumps of yellowing weeds. It curved through a stand of trees then opened onto a large weedy lawn that hadn't been mowed for a long time (and there was) an old two-story farmhouse badly in need of paint."

I started to read Answers to Dog this morning and lifted my head early in the afternoon - this story engulfed me. I love the meaning of the title - the dog answers to the name Dog - although we do discover his real name is Samarkand (Sam for short).  In an interesting twist Evan's dad is named Sam and mum's previous dog that died aged 17 was called Evan. I guess also Evan finds some answers about his family and friends through his friendship with Sam and more importantly he makes some discoveries about himself. 

"Dad told me you named me after your dog,' Evan said. 'Not exactly,' she said. 'Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted a son named Evan, so really the dog was named after you, even though you weren't born yet.' 'What if I'd been born a girl?' 'I would have named you Evangeline."

How did I find this book? I am the sort of person who always has to spend time in bookshops. We have several shops in the CBD of the city. When I go into a bookshop - yes you are right - I have to buy a book. But which book to buy? I picked this one up because it is about dogs, it is about a boy and his love of one special dog (more of these at the end of this post) and it was published by Candlewick (Walker Books) and they consistently produce terrific books for kids. I do need to say I had never heard of Pete Hautman and I did not read the endorsement on the cover of the book until much later.

As always Ms Yingling gives an in depth review here. 

Whether it’s a dog in a kennel or a boy trapped within his solitary parents’ routines, themes of neglect and isolation dominate the story, although the author’s careful approach ensures that this heaviness is balanced by the presence of uplifting supporting characters, such as Hana Ganz, who’s a dog enthusiast despite her allergies, and track coach Mr. Raley, who displays subtle kindness. The balance of the third-person limited narration between the perspectives of Evan and the dog makes this an enjoyable gateway book for readers who typically prefer stories featuring talking animals. Kirkus

Publisher blurb: Evan doesn’t seem to fit in at school or at home. He goes out of his way to avoid attention. He sits at the back of the bus, keeps his head down in class, and keeps to himself. But when a burr-covered border collie—a survivor with a gut instinct about the Boy—starts following him around and joining him on his runs, Evan’s simple duck-and-dodge existence becomes a lot more complicated . . . a lot more like life. Evolving from wary companions to steadfast friends, Evan and the dog run fast and far together, thwart an abusive dog breeder and the school bully, and find the courage to stand up for themselves and to open up to those who matter most. Narrated in alternating viewpoints, this relatable contemporary novel with classic coming-of-age themes has all the hope, pathos, and emotional complexity that mark Pete Hautman’s books for middle-grade readers—and is a deeply satisfying read for animal lovers.

Pete Hautman says as a boy he loved dog stories by Jim Kjelgaard. 

Companion books for dog lovers:

One Dog and his Boy

Shiloh

The Way of Dog

Brave like that

Talking to Alaska

The truth as told to Mason Buttle

You could also look for this very old book which might be in your school library (content warning this one is very violent):

Out of print - published in 1991.

Companion book for kids who love running:

Ghost

Running my own race

Here are some other books by Pete Hautman: