Question #88: Has Anyone Done A Psychoanalysis of the Pooh Characters?
The Canadian Medical Association Journal's (Vol 163, Issue 12) article "Pathology in the Hundred Acre Wood: a neurodevelopmental perspective on A.A. Milne" can be viewed as a PDF file. Here's an introspective essay by Alvin Bennett entitled "Winnie-the-Pooh Characters as States/Positions-of-the-Self in Christopher Robin". And here is a book on the subject which may be of interest... | |
![]() | Pooh and the Psychologists: In Which It Is Proven That Pooh Bear Is a Brilliant Psychotherapist by John Tyerman Williams. Illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard Hardcover |
Question #89: What Are Your Thoughts About the CMA Journal Article?
First, keep in mind that the Canadian Medical Association Journal's article "Pathology in the Hundred Acre Wood: a neurodevelopmental perspective on A.A. Milne" is tongue-in-cheek. It is a humorous look at the characters. Second, I found it thoroughly enjoyable and was pleased to get permission to provide a link for my site visitors to view the article. I have often received requests for information on finding such a work. Third, the first two thoughts having been said, I do take exception to comments about Roo and his mom. In a "politically correct" world, the author has really slammed single-parent families. I feel Kanga is an exceptional mother who is very caring and loving. If anything, she may be a little overprotective, but not to an abnormal extent. Roo hates extract of malt by the way. That's the "medicine" his mom gives him. Tigger, on the other hand, loves the stuff. I think Roo will turn out just fine despite hanging out with a poor role model. I also take small exception to Christopher Robin having the "problem" of talking to animals. Remember that in this world, as created by Milne, animals do talk and therefore it is normal. My non-medical opinion is that the characters do not suffer from any kind of psychological flaw. They were endeared with specific character traits. Fourth, is it really possible that Pooh is indeed suffering from shaken bear syndrome? Sure. Although Pooh is said to be "a bear of very little brain", that reference by Milne is really rather generous. The bear is "stuffed with fluff". He has no brain. Only Rabbit and Owl have brains. (see: Pooh Interviews for more on brains). I am sure the fluff he has is grey. And he makes extraordinary use of his grey matter. |
Question #90: Who Owns the Copyright to Winnie-the-Pooh?![]() A. A. Milne left the rights to Pooh, and his other characters, to five beneficiaries: The Garrick Club, Westminster School, The Royal Literary Fund, the A. A. Milne Family and the E. H. Shepard Family. We understand that Mrs. Milne sold the film rights to Disney in 1961. Christopher Robin Milne sold his rights to the other copyright holders before his death in 1996. Sometime around 1998, the Garrick Club sold Disney the rights to all of A. A. Milne's characters until 2026 (when the copyright expires). On March 4, 2001, the Sunday Times of London reported that Disney paid an estimated $340-to-$350 million for the rights to the royalty stream, as well as future use of the characters in any media, from the A. A. Milne Trust. Disney first bought rights to Winnie-The-Pooh (enabling it to use the Pooh characters freely in movies, television shows, theme parks and merchandising) in 1961 and has renewed those rights every year, paying twice-yearly royalties to a group of rights holders. Disney now has the rights to the Winnie-The-Pooh until the copyright expires in 2026. The copyright holders received lump-sum payments for their interests, rather than having to collect their money a bit at a time over the next 25 years. They will retain the publishing rights to the original A.A. Milne book. Dutton Books was the original copyright holder for his published works, and may have a copyright on the books and classic illustrations. If anyone can provide us more details on exactly what rights Dutton, and the five beneficiaries currently own, please e-mail us. |
Question #91: Does Rabbit Live in a Tree or a Hole?
My daughter and I were trying to figure out where Rabbit lived. Is it in a tree or is it in a hole?
Thank You for your help.
Donovan Ginaya
According to the book "Winnie-the-Pooh" by A.A. Milne, Rabbit lives in large hole in a sandy bank. His front door is clearly the hole where Pooh gets stuck. His back door is a little more of a mystery. The book doesn't lead us to believe that the back door is anything but another hole. Disney's video version of "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" however shows Rabbit living in a hole with his back door opening through a tree. Our address for Rabbit is: 100 Aker Wood North, Just South of the Sandy Pit Where Roo Plays. |
Question #92: What Are The Words To the Song Titled "The Fall of Christopher Robin"?
A group called "Current 93" recorded the song called "The Fall of Christopher Robin" in Iceland between 1986 and 1991. It was released on their "Island" CD in 1991. Unfortunately, the words are not exactly "family safe" material and therefore are not reproduced here. You can locate the words if you perform an internet search using the song title and group name. |
Question #93: Did E.H. Shepherd Ever Paint Winnie-the-Pooh?
Yes. There is one known oil painting of Winnie-the-Pooh by illustrator E. H. Shepherd. In late 2000, the residents of Winnipeg, Canada, paid $177,000 at auction for this large painting showing Winnie-the-Pooh with a hunnypot. It will hang in a new museum in Winnipeg. |
Question #94: Where Can I Find Winnie-the-Pooh Party Supplies?
We are interested in your suggestions of great sites featuring Pooh party supplies. Topher |
Question #95: Is Winnie-the-Pooh Available In E-books?
Are there e-books?
Dominique
I know of one group working on e-books. In fact they asked us to handle the Winnie-the-Pooh e-book project. Unfortunately, this group did not represent Disney or Dutton. These books are still under copyright protection (as I pointed out) and, as far as we know, the current copyright owners have not yet released Winnie-the-Pooh to e-books. |
Hi! I am a Children's Librarian from Monroe County Michigan. I am trying to find the date of Winnie-the-Pooh's 75th Anniversary. Do you know if it's Jan. 18, 2002 or if not, when. Thank you so much for your help. S. McMahon |
Winnie-the-Pooh's 75th Anniversary was on October 14, 2001. If you are really asking when his 75th Birthday is, there are two different thoughts on your question. It all depends on what you define as his "birthday". Some define his birthday as October 14, 1926 when the book "Winnie-the-Pooh" was first published in London. We would suggest Winnie-the-Pooh's actual date of birth is August 21, 1921, since this was the date that the stuffed bear was given to Christopher Robin Milne. |
Question #97: In Which Story Is Winnie-the-Pooh Knighted?
I am looking for the story wherein Christopher Robin knights Sir Da Bear. Can you help me? Donna B. |
You'll find the official knighting of "Sir Pooh de Bear" in Chapter X of "The House at Pooh Corner". |
Excerpts from the book "The House at Pooh Corner" by A. A. Milne Suddenly Christopher Robin began to tell Pooh about some of the things: People called Kings and Queens and something called Factors, and a place called Europe, and an island in the middle of the sea where no ships came, and how you make a Suction Pump (if you want to), and when Knights were Knighted, and what comes from Brazil... "A Knight?" "Oh, was that it?" said Pooh. "I thought it was a --- Is it as Grand as a King and Factors and the other things you said?" "Well, it's not as grand as a King," said Christopher Robin, and then, as Pooh seemed disappointed, he added quickly, "but it's grander than Factors." "Could a Bear be one?" "Of course he could!" said Christopher Robin. "I'll make you one." And he took a stick and touched Pooh on the shoulder, and said, "Rise, Sir Pooh de Bear, most faithful of all my Knights." |
How many pots of Honey did Pooh have when there was the flood? Many thanks, Kate |
It rained and it rained and it rained. At the start of the great 4-day rain, Pooh had 10 pots of honey. By the fourth day, Pooh was out of honey. "...when the whole Escape was finished, there was Pooh sitting on his branch, dangling his legs, and there, beside him, were ten pots of honey..." "Four days later, there was Pooh..." |
Looking for a good Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet passage to read out. I want to read a bit from Winnie-the-Pooh for my son and daughters naming day ceremony. The way I remember it is between Piglet and Pooh, but basically Piglet is calling for Pooh thinking maybe that
he has left him alone and when Pooh answers, it turns out that piglet doesn't really have anything to say. "I just wanted to be sure of you Pooh," says Piglet or something like.
Do you know where this little passage is in the books? Heather C |
This comes from "The House at Pooh Corner". Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." |
The attached scan is from a book entitled "The Hums of Pooh". Do you know how I could find the music by H. Fraser-Simpson, and/or "The Pooh Song Book"? I've searched online with not a hint of success, though at least my labours led me to discover your wonderful website!
Kind regards, Leonie M. (Australia) |
I have not seen any of the H. Fraser-Simon music or "The Pooh Songbook", but perhaps one of our visitors has. Information from the scan you sent of the 1972 abridged reprint of the 1929 book "The Hums of Pooh" might give our visitors some clues in the Publisher's Notes. "The publishers wish to point out that the original edition of The Hums of Pooh, published in 1929, included music by H. Fraser-Simpson. Although this pocket-sized edition does not contain the music, references to musical points will be found in the Introduction and in some of A.A. Milne's notes on the Hums as these have been reprinted without alteration. Six of the Hums included in this book now appear in The Pooh Song Book, a new collection of fifteen songs with piano accompaniment and simple guitar chords (these are marked with an asterisk on the Contents page). The Pooh Song Book first published 1977 by Methuen Children's Books Ltd, 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE. ISBN 0 416 85060X. The Hums themselves, again reprinted from the original edition, include musical effects, such as repeats, which are not found in Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. A.A. Milne's 'stage directions' have also been retained and children may now hear and watch these songs, adapted for the theatre by Julian Slade, being performed in the musical play Winnie-the-Pooh at Christmas." A site visitor mentioned that they own a similar recording. The version they have was published in 1985 by David R. Godine, Publisher, Inc. ISBN 0-87923-557-8. It includes Hums of Pooh (17 songs), The King's Breakfast (2 songs), and When We Were Very Young (14 songs). "This is an excellent songbook and contains the introductions that A.A. Milne wrote for the beginning of each book". Using the ISBN number (including the term ISBN) in a search engine or eBay will usually lead to places that have a copy to sell. Another site visitor has a cassette from the Musical Heritage Society (# MHC 6617T) which features 27 "hums" composed by Harold Fraser-Simson. The tunes were created in the early 1930's and first recorded by George Baker (the baritone) at that time. The MHS version was recorded in 1981 with Robert Tear (tenor) singing and Philip Ledger on Piano. There are 11 songs from "The Hums of Pooh", 8 songs from "Now we are Six" and 8 from "When We Were Very Young". The Musical Heritage Society is still active and is easy to find on the World Wide Web. "These are all very charming short tunes that will delight any Pooh fan. Some will take your breath away!" Of interest, there is also a record LP set entitled "The House at Pooh Corner" by A. A. Milne. | |
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Read by Norman Shelley Hums set by H. Fraser Simpson Played by David Davis A Bowler Hat Production Decca Records Argo Division Stereo Catalogue ZSW 570-3 |
Side 1 Chapter 1. In Which A House Is Built For Eeyore Chapter 2. Tiggers Breakfast Side 2 Chapter 2. (Cont.) Tiggers Breakfast Chapter 3. A Search Is Organised Side 3 Chapter 4. Tiggers Dont Climb Trees Side 4 Chapter 5. Rabbit Has A Busy Day |
Side 5 Chapter 6. Pooh Invents A New Game Side 6 Chapter 7. Tigger Is Unbounced Side 7 Chapter 8. A Very Grand Thing Chapter 9. Eeyore Finds The Wolery (1st Part) Side 8 Chapter 9. (cont.) Eeyore Finds The Wolery Chapter 10. An Enchanted Place |
The information in this Winnie-the-Pooh FAQ And Other Things You Should Know page has been carefully researched and, as presented, is the sole property of Topher's Castle. Information from this page cannot be used on any other website or in other printed material without the written permission of Topher. All rights reserved. Thank you. |