This past Friday, I had the incredible good fortune to meet the REAL–the original, the one-and-only–WINNIE-THE-POOH and some of his friends (KANGA, PIGLET, EEYORE, and TIGGER) at the New York City Public Library.

That is correct. Pooh and his friends have been residents there since 1987. They were formerly housed in the Central Children’s Room but are now at the History and Social Science Library at 5th Avenue & 42nd Street.

Winnie-the-Pooh, who was first known as Edward Bear, was truly owned by a real life boy named Christopher Robin Milne. His author father, A.A. Milne, and artist, Ernest H. Shepard, combined talents to create the timeless tales of Pooh and his friends–based on Christopher’s stuffed animals along with the characters of Rabbit and Owl.

For a timeline on Winnie-the-Pooh, go to this New York City Public Library site: http://www.nypl.org/branch/central/dlc/dch/pooh/timeline.html

And for some additional FUN FACTS, try this library site: http://www.nypl.org/branch/central/dlc/dch/pooh/facts.html

Finally, here’s a list of Pooh books: http://www.nypl.org/branch/central/dlc/dch/pooh/bibliography.html

Who’s your favorite character?

I must admit that mine is Eeyore–and he looked the worst of the bunch. He apparently endured a dog’s taste-test at one time. Ahh…that seems a rather fitting adventure for the long-suffering–but so sweet–donkey.