Winnie the Pooh - Never Grow Old - A Movie, a Book, and a Garden

As a children's book writer, one thing I learned recently is that if your character is recognizable in a side-profile, then you have developed a good character. 

I think Winnie-the-Pooh stands up to this test, based on the imprint from our book on the shelf. Perhaps that is why Pooh is one of my favorite characters, why he's so memorable, and why Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh movie was such a joy to watch with my children when they were young. As they grew, we moved on to reading The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne which had been gifted to us. 

Watching a movie first, then reading the book second is backward for most book lovers, I know. But my children were young when the movie came out, so they had to grow into something called PATIENCE in order for me to read the tales of Winnie-the-Pooh out of the chapter book one by one.

Pooh's stories always come with a quiet surprise. His stories have never grown old, especially when mixed with quotes that make you laugh. Like this one:

"People say nothing is impossible. But I do nothing every day."

And quotes that make you appreciate your loved ones:

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."

And quotes that make you think:

"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday."

This particular river philosophy becomes more and more true, the older I get.

So it should come as no surprise that I am truly looking forward to the new movie, Christopher Robin. One review compared it to Hook, which I totally loved seeing with my boys when they were young, so I am sure Christopher Robin and his friend Pooh won't disappoint. 

Perhaps the best preface to the new movie was visiting a local flower garden designed for and inspired by the 100 Acre Wood. We are so lucky to have two local citizens who put time and thought and inspiration to bring a beautiful garden to our community each summer. This one, as always was very much worth the visit. 

I leave you with photos to inspire.