Winnie-the-Pooh and all his friends from Hundred Acre Wood are nearing their centennial birthday.
The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s Goldman School and Child Development Center and the James Smith Noel Collection are celebrating the 100th anniversary of A.A. Milne’s literary masterpiece with an interactive story hour on Wednesday from 9-10:30 a.m. at both Goldman School locations (Jordan Street and The Highland Center).
Milne first published “Winnie the Pooh” on Oct. 14, 1926, and Wednesday is the 100th anniversary of the original book’s publication.
The story hours will feature volunteers reading to Goldman School students.
The story hours are private events for Goldman School students (but media are invited to attend).
“This special series gives The Arc Caddo-Bossier a chance to say ‘Thank you’ to the Noel Foundation, which has been extraordinarily encouraging to children of all abilities in our community through three consecutive years of grant support,” said Kristen Powers, CEO of The Arc Caddo-Bossier. “Our students will hear about a bear who loves honey and a donkey who loses his tail, and they’ll hang on every word.
“At this age, children don’t just listen to a story; they experience it, and for many, this may be the first time they’ve heard a Pooh story. Getting to tie that to a 100-year-old book that lives right here in Shreveport is a pretty special thing for them to be part of.”
The first book is a collection of short stories about Pooh and friends like Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Christopher Robin, named after Milne’s son.
The Noel Collection will display a signed first edition copy of the 1926 book and the first color edition (1973) at the story hours followed by a tour of the Collection for story hour participants.
“One of the enduring wonders of Winnie-the-Pooh is its remarkable appeal across generations,” said Dr. Alexander Mikaberidze, the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair for the Curatorship of the Noel Collection. “So many of us, whether young or old, continue to find comfort, humor, and wisdom in A. A. Milne’s stories because the themes he explores – friendship, kindness, loyalty, curiosity, insecurity, and the simple joys of everyday life – are truly universal.
“Each reader can recognize something of themselves in the Hundred Acre Wood because of the extraordinary cast of characters, brought so vividly to life by E. H. Shepard’s beloved illustrations. From Pooh’s gentle optimism and Piglet’s quiet courage to Eeyore’s melancholy, Tigger’s exuberance, and Owl’s self-assurance, the characters represent such a remarkable range of personalities, each drawn with sympathy, warmth, and insight.”
The Noel Collection, housed on the third floor of the LSUS Noel Memorial Library, is one of the largest private collections of antiquarian books, prints and maps in the United States.
The public can schedule tours by appointment by calling 318-798-4161.