In The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh, Kathryn Aalto takes readers to the actual woods and farm--Ashdown Forest and Cotchford Farm--that inspired A.A. Milne to write his classic children's tales for his son, Christopher Robin, that feature Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Kanga and Roo. Aalto provides a concise biography of Milne's early life and his collaboration with illustrator E.H. Shepard before delving into an analysis of the real settings for the magical stories of the silly old bear and his various friends.
Using excerpts and illustrations from Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, Aalto matches the descriptions in the books to the actual places, illustrated by many historic and contemporary photographs, in Ashdown Forest and on Cotchford Farm. Readers get to see where the game of Poohsticks was invented and learn that this game is still played today off Poohsticks Bridge. They can see the sandy pit where Roo played, and a grand old chestnut tree that might be where Owl lived. And they can appreciate Pooh's thoughtful spot, and see the spinney where he almost caught a Woozle. Aalto also includes plenty of descriptions of the flora and fauna of the English countryside and the fictitious Hundred Acre Wood. For anyone who has read and reread Milne's stories, Aalto furnishes a delightful addition to these classic tales, reawakening the childlike wonder and amusement first experienced when reading the books inspired by these locations. --Lee E. Cart, freelance writer and book reviewer