Children's Literature @ NYPL

Winnie-the-Pooh: Celebrating 90 Years by Louise Lareau, Children's Center at 42nd Street, Stephen A. Schwarzman BuildingJuly 14, 2011

Winnie-the-Pooh., Digital ID 1628605, New York Public Library
Happy Birthday Winnie!

This summer, our beloved Winnie-the-Pooh turns 90. How is that possible you may ask? Winnie, originally known as Edward Bear, was given to Christopher Milne by his parents on his first birthday — August 21, 1921. Who could have guessed that the 18-inch-high teddy bear, from Harrods, would eventually become a literary superstar?  Winnie and his companions have been on display at The New York Public Library since September 11, 1987. 

The toys have had thousands of visitors over the years, and just the sight of them have moved some to tears. Winnie has also witnessed several marriage proposals, but has had to decline all wedding invitations. Although he is rather elderly and fragile, Winnie still has the power to bring such happiness to all who visit him.

Winnie is hoping to get lots of birthday wishes this year, so get our your pens and paper and make him a card!  Children and caregivers are invited to make birthday cards for Winnie at our August 9 craft program. Birthday cards* can be dropped off at the Children's Center at 42nd Street or mailed to the address below. You can also send Winnie a electronic message* through the comment box. Winnie will be checking his mailbox every day.

Winnie-the-Pooh
c/o Children's Center at 42nd Street
The New York Public Library
476 Fifth Avenue, Room 84
New York, NY 10018

On August 20, 2011, the Children's Center will be hosting a party to celebrate Winnie's 90th birthday.  We hope that Winnie fans, both young and old, will come in to take part in the festivities and give Winnie their best wishes.

*Please note that all submissions become the property of the Library and will not be returned. By submitting your work to NYPL, you agree that NYPL shall be permitted to use your work freely online and otherwise and that you will not receive compensation for any such uses. If you are not willing to grant NYPL these rights, please do not contribute content to NYPL. Please also make sure that any content you contribute does not infringe on the rights of any third party. We encourage all participants in this activity to read the Library's Privacy Policy as well as the Library's Policy on Patron-Generated Content.

View all posts by Louise Lareau

Comments

Patron-generated content represents the views and interpretations of the patron, not necessarily those of The New York Public Library. For more information see NYPL's Website Terms and Conditions.

Winnie the Pooh exhibit

Submitted by Debbie Carter (not verified) on July 17, 2011 - 10:25am

One of the city's treasures!

Hi Winnie!

Submitted by Jayda&Jane (not verified) on July 18, 2011 - 12:40pm

Hi Winnie! We love you so much! We can't wait to see your movie! Wow.. 90!! Your getting old(er) what colour is your cane? How's Piglet, Eeyore,Tigger, Rabbit, Gopher, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Bees and Christopher Robin doing? They must be getting old too! How about the honey? Still as yummy as always! Hahahahahaha! (: Love your Canadian besties! <3

Happy Birthday Winnie-the-Pooh!

Submitted by Mary K (not verified) on July 19, 2011 - 11:42am

Hi Bear! I got to meet you when I worked at NYPL from 1998-1999; I even got to spend a day with you working at Donnell. How lucky I am! I wish you the happiest of birthdays and I will celebrate by reading your books again. And eating some bread with HUNNY.

happy birthday

Submitted by laura (not verified) on August 22, 2011 - 5:32pm

happy birthday!!!you are my favourite cartoon!

Happy Birthday, Pooh!

Submitted by Cindy C (not verified) on July 19, 2011 - 1:39pm

Happy Birthday, Winnie the Pooh! I decorated my daughter's room with you and your friends from hundred acre wood years ago. I hope you have a 'hunny' good day on your birthday and watch out for those balloons... they might pop!

Happy Birthday, you silly old

Submitted by Julie (not verified) on July 19, 2011 - 2:59pm

Happy Birthday, you silly old bear!

Happy Birthday!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on July 20, 2011 - 3:50am

Pooh Bear has always had a way of cheering me up. Happy 90th birthday ~

Happy BIG 90!

Submitted by Morgan (not verified) on July 20, 2011 - 7:02pm

Well HELLO Pooh Bear! I know you are sitting directly behind me,(probably reading over my shoulder)but I wanted to write you a nice little comment and say that you are old, my friend. BUT you are JUST as loved today as you were when you were born! I hope you are enjoying your time with us here at NYPL Childrens Center, get excited for your BIG PARTY here at the library! I'm so sad that I'm going to miss it. =( Love you Pooh! Morgan

Happy Birthday Pooh

Submitted by Καιτήgreek (not verified) on July 20, 2011 - 10:14pm

Pooh, Happy Birthday Pooh!! I really hope you've had a great 90 years and many, many more to come!

Happy Birthday Pooh

Submitted by Καιτήgreek (not verified) on July 20, 2011 - 10:22pm

Pooh, Happy 90th Birthday, Silly Old Bear! You always make me laugh.

Happy Birthday

Submitted by Di (not verified) on July 23, 2011 - 4:41pm

Happy Birthday, Silly Old Bear! You were a good friend to me during many sickly days as a child. Thanks for bringing many smiles to my face and helping me to feel better. I can't wait to continue to share you wonderful touch with many more children through the coming years.

winnie-the-pooh

Submitted by book lover (not verified) on July 27, 2011 - 7:07pm

Happy birthday winnie-the-pooh you are the nicest bear I know and by far the funniest! I LOVE YOU winnie you silly old bear! Happy 90eth b-day! i've seen most of your movies and some of your books!

Happu birthday! Always loved

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on August 13, 2011 - 7:42am

Happu birthday! Always loved you!

Winnie the Pooh

Submitted by Chris Hickman (not verified) on August 15, 2011 - 5:52pm

Winnie the Pooh is one of my fondest memories from my childhood. I grew up to the stories and even remember the cartoon show I watched everyday. I love Winnie the Pooh still today as a Grown man(30 Years old) but with the same kid at heart feeling for Winnie. I now share my passion for the honey loving bear with my daughter who is three. I gave her my Winnie collectibles must have since taken back my most charished. My baby blanket. I have to hold on to my love of Winnie. Thank You Winnie the Pooh. Thank You

In your honor

Submitted by Maryland Bear (not verified) on August 17, 2011 - 11:16am

I have a tattoo of you in your "think-think-think" and your hunny pot. I call it my tat-pooh. Thank you for ninety years of providing joy to "children of all ages".

Have loved you for 76 years

Submitted by Lulu (not verified) on August 21, 2011 - 1:46pm

Happy Birthday, dear Winnie.. i grew up with you, my children grew up with you, my grandchildren grew up with you and i'm hoping to see my great grandchildren enjoy your tales, too

Name that animal

Submitted by Mik (not verified) on July 30, 2012 - 10:33am

Library curator: Pls explain this mystery of great national importance. There is an animal at the rear-left of the display case. It looks like a weasel wearing a pearl necklace. There is no description on the display case, and I have not managed to find any picture of it anywhere on the web yet. What's the story?

Looks like

Submitted by Lauren Lampasone on July 30, 2012 - 10:57am

Looks like Lottie the Otter! http://www.flickr.com/photos/scoutingny/5625828198/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Winnie-the-Pooh_characters#Lottie

More details from the

Submitted by Lauren Lampasone on July 31, 2012 - 1:44pm

More details from the managing librarian at the Children's Center at 42nd Street: "That is Lottie the Otter. She is a new character from the authorized sequel, <a href="http://nypl.bibliocommons.com/search?t=smart&search_category=keyword&q=Benedictus%20return%20hundred%20acre">Return to the Hundred Acre Wood</a> (2009), that was written by David Benedictus. He was a Milne family friend and got permission from the Milne Trust to write the sequel. The folks from Penguin, the US publisher of the Winnie stories, gave us Lottie when we had an event for the book launch. They also donated the wallpaper that hangs in the Winnie room. "Sadly, Lottie's label was removed from the display case when the toys were moved upstairs for the Centennial Exhibit. The label was nowhere to be found when the exhibit case was returned to the Children's Center in March. Lottie should be getting a new label very soon."

Many Happy Returns of the Day!

Submitted by Dolores (not verified) on December 24, 2012 - 8:11pm

Hello, Winnie! I like to celebrate your birthday on December 24, the day the first Pooh story was published in the newspaper. It is also my birthday, AND the birthday of most of the Poohs who live at my house. But August 21 is a good day to celebrate, too. Some people celebrate Oct. 14, the day the book was published. Winnie, you are lucky you can celebrate all year round! I hope you are having a nice holiday and you can eat lots of hunny today!

Happy Birthday

Submitted by Helaine (not verified) on June 27, 2013 - 5:12pm

I like your very much - Winnie the Pooh. I collect all of things I talk to you as a person because my parents are not here any more you second best. My friend started me on you. You are cute stuff animal your friend Helaine Meyerson

I know in your heart

Submitted by Jannet (not verified) on September 8, 2016 - 7:35pm

You are at home in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, England.

Winnie the Pooh turns 99 next month

Submitted by Karen K (not verified) on July 23, 2020 - 3:22am

Are there plans for a virtual birthday party this year? And-- what is happening next year for the BIG 1-0-0 ? Can't wait to get the party started (at a safe distance of course)/

Happy Birthday!!!!

Submitted by Jinisa (not verified) on August 11, 2020 - 8:11am

Happy birthday Pooh! I always love your movies. When I have time I watch them over and over again. My favorite part is when 100 acre wood flooded. The Chrispher Robin movie made me cried because you and Piglet wait for Christopher, but he never comes back. I love your songs very much my favorite is "Forever and ever" and "Wherever you are" , but I think the one that made me laugh the most was the "horribly hazardous heffalumps" song. Eventhough there's CORONA VIRUS, but you can still have the best birthday ever. It's not everyday that a bear turns 99. If you live to be a hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus one day, so that I never have to live a day without you. (This quote makes me cry almost every time I read it)

Philosophy

Submitted by Woon Shen (not verified) on June 20, 2021 - 12:31am

Dear Winnie de Pooh I love your sprouting philosophy Love Woonie