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The House at Pooh Corner
Last updated Monday, June 6, 2022
Author: A. A. Milne
Date of Publication: 1928
ISBN: 0525444440
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2022
Synopsis:
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood in A.A. Milne's second collection of Pooh stories, The House at Pooh Corner. Here you will rediscover all the characters you met in Winnie-the-Pooh: Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Kanga, tiny Roo, and, of course, Pooh himself. Joining them is the thoroughly bouncy and lovable Tigger, who leads the rest into unforgettable adventures.
| Note to readers: |
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This is the 2nd Winnie-the-Pooh book. Most of the characters and locations described in it reflect the author's real life. For example, Christopher Robin really was A.A. Milne's son, and he wrote the books for the real Christopher Robin Milne. When he wrote this book, Christopher Milne was older than when his father wrote Winnie the Pooh, so the character Christopher is older as well. There is a real Hundred Acre Wood near the family home.
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Most of the characters in the Winnie-the-Pooh stories were based on the imaginary adventures of Christopher Milne’s childhood toys. Pooh, originally named Edward Bear, was a gift on his first birthday. The bear’s later name came from Christopher seeing a London Zoo bear named Winnie that had come from Winnipeg in Canada. Eyeore was Christopher’s first Christmas present. Piglet was another very early toy, but his exact origin is unknown. Kanga, Roo, and Tigger came slightly later. Owl and Rabbit are purely fictitious or were perhaps based on animals that Alan Milne and his son had seen in the forest. Shepard’s illustrations for the Winnie-the-Pooh characters were drawn largely from these toys as well. The exception is Pooh who was modeled after his own son’s bear, Growler. Unfortunately, Growler no longer exists having been ripped apart by a neighbor’s dog. With the exception of Growler, most of the original toys have survived and can be visited at the New York Public Library.
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You may want to sing the songs and poems in the story - it doesn't have to be a particularly good song, just a stuffed animal-type song.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Who has seen the Disney movies about Winnie-the Pooh? What did you think about them? Did you know that this and the book Winnie the Pooh by the same author are the originals?
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This book was written by the father of the real live Christopher Robin, using stories the dad told the kid about their real neighborhood and the kid's real stuffed animals. What kind of names have you used for your toys?
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Take a look at the illustrations in this book. How do they compare to the characters you're used to? (duller colors, gentler drawings, not cartoons.)
Vocabulary:
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Contradiction - a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another
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muffler - a warm scarf
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smackerel - an invented word combining of "Smack" and "Mackerel" - Mackerel is included for humorous effect. - snack, small bit of food
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Eeyore - is a stuffed donkey - named for the sound a donkey makes
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Solemnly - in a formal and dignified manner.
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macintosh - a full-length waterproof coat
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Tigger - is a stuffed tiger
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haycorns - acorns. Wild pigs in England are known to fatten up on acorns.
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Heffalump - elephant
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Have you noticed that some of the "definitions" in this story are jokes?
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Have you ever done anything like Pooh and Piglet did with poor Eeyore's house? Tear down what he did without even realizing it? Did Eeyore figure out what really happened to his house?
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Page 55 - can you identify the various characters in this picture?
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It is often said that childhood today is different than it was in the past. After reading this book, what do you think?
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Friendship is an important theme in Winnie-the-Pooh. Are the relationships among the characters in this book realistic? Do they remind you in any way of your friendships? What can you learn about friendship from their examples?
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Each of characters certainly have their quirks. Do you think you’re more like Pooh, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit, or Christopher Robin? Why? What would your friends say?
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| Special activities: |
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Write a story about your family.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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