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Delve into the home of the world's most beloved bear!
The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh explores the magical landscapes where Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their friends live and play. The Hundred Acre Wood – the setting for Winnie-the-Pooh's adventures – was inspired by Ashdown Forest, a wildlife haven that spans more than 6,000 acres in southeast England.
In the pages of this enchanting book you can visit the ancient black walnut tree on the edge of the forest that became Pooh's house, go deep into the pine trees to find Poohsticks Bridge, and climb up to the top of the enchanted Galleons Lap, where Pooh says goodbye to Christopher Robin. You will discover how Milne's childhood connection with nature and his role as a father influenced his famous stories, and how his close collaboration with illustrator E. H. Shepard brought those stories to life.
This charming book also serves as a guide to the plants, animals, and places of the remarkable Ashdown Forest, whether you are visiting in person or from the comfort of your favorite armchair. In a delightful narrative, enriched with E. H. Shepard's original illustrations, hundreds of colour photographs, and Milne's own words, you will rediscover your favorite characters and the magical place they called home.
Kathryn Aalto is a landscape designer, historian, writer, and speaker living in Exeter, England. American by birth, she has master’s degrees in garden history and creative nonfiction with a particular interest in literary landscapes. Passionate about walking and natural history, she recently completed the Coast to Coast Walk across England with her family.
"Aalto's lovely book provides two great pleasures: a visit to the actual wild spots that inform the fictional Pooh world and a chance to slip into our memories of the books themselves."
– Washington Post
"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."
– Shelf Awareness
"If you grew up with Winnie-the-Pooh, you'll enjoy this new book. It finds all the places in Ashdown Forest that inspired the stories."
– My Weekly
"An intimate guide to the forest's history, geology, animals, colors, and textures. Tantalizing descriptions and photographs invite us to slow our pace, look, and listen."
– BBC Wildlife
"Take this book outdoors, settle into a cushy spot and listen to birds and the breeze as you follow in Winnie's footprints and see the places that are the foundations to E.H. Shepard's illustrations, which are as iconic as Milne's words."
– Oregonian
"Lavishly illustrated with superb photographs as well as reproductions of the delightfully familiar Shepard illustrations [...] an affectionate book written with enthusiasm."
– Wall Street Journal
