Winnie-the-Pooh: Once There Was a Bear

Enjoy the early adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends in Winnie-the-Pooh: Once There Was a Bear (the Official Prequel).

This beautiful new paperback edition of Winnie-the-Pooh: Once There Was a Bear captures the charm and magic of the original tales we all cherish from A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Highly talented author Jane Riordan has created a wonderful collection of stories in the style of A.A. Milne, taking us back to where it all began when Winnie-the-Pooh was first purchased for Christopher Robin in Harrods.

Jane Riordan comes with a strong pedigree for writing in the style of A.A. Milne, having also designed Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the Queen and the re-issue edition Winnie-the-Pooh Goes to London.

The stories are adorned with beautiful illustrations by Mark Burgess, crafted in the style of E.H. Shepard. Mark, uniquely suited to this, has also illustrated Return to the Hundred Acre Wood and The Best Bear in All the World.

This paperback edition of the timeless story collection is a real tribute to the world’s most famous bear. It is the perfect opportunity for everyone to find out how these favourite friends became 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 over 95 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 characters 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.