Winnie the Pooh is celebrating 80 Years Of Adventure this year and the search is on throughout October for the nation’s first ever children’s ‘Pooh Laureate’.
Disney is encouraging children across the country to be inspired by Winnie the Pooh’s verse, and write a poem on what the beloved bear means to them. Sources of inspiration could be one of Pooh’s adventures in The Hundred Acre Wood or the adventures and friendships he has had over the past 80 years in print with Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger.
One of Pooh’s many friendship poems:-
I could spend a happy morning
Seeing Roo
I could spend a happy morning
Being Pooh
For it doesn’t seem to matter
If I don’t get any fatter
(And I don’t get any fatter),
What I do.
"The House at Pooh Corner”. Text © A. A. Milne
A panel of judges - who are all Winnie the Pooh experts in their own right - have been invited to award the ‘Pooh Laureate.’ The five judges are:-
• Brian Sibley, author of ‘Three Cheers for Pooh’.
• Egmont Publishers - Sue Parish, Head of Editorial.
• National Literacy Trust - Julia Strong, Deputy Director of National Literacy Trust and Director of the National Reading Company.
• Borders - Becky Strandwick, Children’s Book Buyer.
• Disney - Emma Whittard, UK Director of Publishing.
Brian Sibley says: “The idea of looking for a ‘Pooh Laureate’ is a wonderful opportunity to encourage young readers to discover - or rediscover - the wonderful characters created by A A Milne and depicted by E H Shepard and to then develop their own creative skills. I hope those entering the competition will make the judges feel the closeness of their friendship with Pooh and, in their writing, capture something of Pooh’s endearing personality, his outlook on life and, maybe, even his ability to make up a Good Hum…”
Younger Pooh fans can also be part of the 80th celebrations by entering a special colouring in competition to bring to life a special Winnie the Pooh 80th anniversary picture.
Not only will the coveted title of the nation’s first children’s ‘Pooh Laureate’ be awarded, but the winner’s poem will be published in the popular monthly Winnie the Pooh magazine. The winner will also be able to plant their own mini Hundred Acre Wood with a copse pack of 30 trees. The winning picture of the colouring competition will also be featured in the Winnie the Pooh magazine, with the winner receiving a bumper pack of Winnie the Pooh gifts! Runner’s up will also receive a special Pooh goodie bag.
Cindy Rose, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Walt Disney International UK, Ireland, Middle East and Southern Mediterranean Regions, commented, “This is a unique one-off competition created specifically to celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 80th Anniversary. We’re very excited about awarding the first ever ‘Pooh Laureate’ and look forward to receiving all the entries knowing that children have enjoyed writing their own special poem for Pooh.”
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For further press information and images, contact:
Jane Fearnley (jane@resonate.uk.com) and Liz Lloyd (liz@resonate.uk.com) at Resonate, 020 7360 7878
Competition:
• 6 to 12 year olds can enter the ‘Pooh Laureate’ competition and 3-5 year olds can enter the colouring-in competition.
• Entry forms can be collected from any Borders store across the UK. All entries can be deposited in the ‘Pooh Laureate’ competition boxes found on store counters. Alternatively, from the 1st October entry forms can be downloaded from www.disney.co.uk/winniethepooh
• For a full list of Borders locations in the UK, log onto www.bordersstores.co.uk/storefinder
• The competitions commence on 1 October, ending 12 noon on the 31st October 2006.
• The competition is open to UK residents only.
• Full terms and conditions will be available from 1st October on www.disney.co.uk/winniethepooh
Winnie the Pooh’s 80th Anniversary
Winnie the Pooh is undoubtedly the UK’s most recognized and most beloved bear. Pooh has entertained audiences while representing the simple, yet valuable ideals of friendship, loyalty, and adventure for an impressive 80 years. Winnie the Pooh and his Hundred-Acre Wood friends have evolved to fit various artistic mediums over time, while maintaining the core characteristics that first captivated the world 80 years ago.
This year, The Walt Disney Company will be celebrating Winnie the Pooh’s 80 years of adventure and friendship across the company. Current initiatives have included retailer-led promotions, including Disney Store’s launch of National Cuddle Day, the release of a new Pooh song and CD, a very special visit to the ‘Children’s Party at the Palace’ at Buckingham Palace and a new television programme, ‘My friends Tigger and Pooh’ launching in 2007.
For tiggerific fun with Pooh and his friends, visit www.disney.co.uk/winniethepooh
