Winnie-the-Pooh: Once There Was a Bear
Tales of Before it All Began …
Jane Riordan author Mark Burgess illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Publishing:9th Oct '25
£20.00
This title is due to be published on 9th October, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
NEW collectable edition of illustrated Pooh prequel stories inspired by Milne and Shepard
NEW stunning hardback edition of Jane Riordan’s prequel collection inspired by Milne’s classic stories, with Mark Burgess illustrations created in the style of E.H.Shepard's iconic art.
NEW stunning hardback edition of Jane Riordan’s prequel collection inspired by Milne’s classic stories, with Mark Burgess illustrations created in the style of E.H.Shepard's iconic art.
Enjoy the early adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends in this stunning 100th anniversary range’s hardback edition.
We all have a place in our hearts for the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh told by A.A.Milne in Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Highly talented author Jane Riordan has written a wonderful collection of stories in the style of A.A.Milne, that take us back to where it all began, when Winnie-the-Pooh was first purchased for Christopher Robin in Harrods.
Jane Riordan has a strong pedigree in writing in the style of A.A.Milne, having also created Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the Queen, Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the King, Tales from the Forest, Winter in the Wood and Winnie-the-Pooh Easter Hunt.
The stories in this 100th Anniversary range’s hardback edition are decorated with beautiful illustrations by Mark Burgess in the style of E.H.Shepard. Mark is uniquely suited to this having also illustrated Return to the Hundred Acre Wood,The Best Bear in All the World, Tales from the Forest and Winter in the Wood.
It’s a real tribute to the world’s most famous bear and the perfect opportunity for everyone to find out how these favourite friends become the larger than life characters we all love.
Do you own all the classic Pooh titles?
Winnie-the-Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner
When We Were Very Young
Now We Are Six
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood
The Best Bear in All the World
Once There Was a Bear
Tales from the Forest
Winter in the Wood
The nation’s favourite teddy bear has been delighting generations of children for nearly 100 years. Milne’s classic children’s stories – featuring Piglet, Eeyore, Christopher Robin and, of course, Pooh himself – are gently humorous while teaching lessons about friendship and kindness.
Pooh ranks alongside other beloved character such as Paddington Bear, and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage. Whether you’re 5 or 55, Pooh is the bear for all ages.
‘Winnie-the-Pooh has always been a very special (albeit funny old) bear, not least of all because his books are filled with wonderful words of wisdom.', Stylist magazine
‘Once There Was A Bear by Jane Riordan is a prequel to the AA Milne Winnie the Pooh books and delightfully decorated by Mark Burgess.’, Stylist magazine
‘Once There Was a Bear is a beautiful hardback’, Artists and Illustrators magazine
‘Often, the original is the best and any attempts to recreate a classic will simply flop. But with Once There Was a Bear the process was so painstaking, the writing so charming and the illustrations such a lovely echo of the past that reading it feels simultaneously like experiencing the very old and the brand new all at once. And we’d say that’s a brief perfectly fulfilled.’, Artists and Illustrators magazine
‘For those who don’t know the background of the bear bought from Harrods and how he met his friends, it’s a treat.’, Daily Mail Christmas gift guide
‘Not only is Winnie-the-Pooh a much-loved character, the appeal of these stories is enduring. They have followed me through my childhood, into adulthood and, now, I can share these cherished books with the next generation. I’m reminded of the power of reading, of shared stories and connection. There’s something wonderful about that.’, Northern Soul
‘It's the forest where Christopher Robin once played, and here, a new generation are keen to retrace Pooh's history.’, WYNT.com
‘radiating the warmth and playfulness of the original stories, Once There Was a Bear is a tribute to The Best Bear in All the World – for ages 5 years to 105 years!’, MyWeekly
‘Jane Riordan has put together a collection of brand-new Pooh stories to revel in, to think with and dream about’, Bookanista Children’s Gift Guide
ISBN: 9780008648206
Dimensions: 216mm x 146mm x 11mm
Weight: 270g
128 pages