It’s been 100 years since A.A. Milne’s first book of Winnie-the-Pooh stories was published. Celebrate, as the kindly bear might, with some honey-loving recipes

This year marks the 100th anniversary of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh, the first collection of stories starring the gentle ‘bear of very little brain’, who would come to find a cosy spot in the hearts of children and adults alike. Together with Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and the rest of the gang, his adventures were filled with friendship, kindness and the simple joys of life in the Hundred Acre Wood. Even a century on, they offer a timeless reminder to savour the sweeter moments of life – and there are a range of celebrations to be a part of this year.

Pooh, as he’s affectionately known, started with a father’s stories to his child. A.A. Milne transformed the bedtime tales that he told to his son, Christopher Robin, which were inspired by a collection of stuffed animals. Favourite of all was a toy bear, which had been purchased from London department store Harrods. Originally known as ‘Edward’, the teddy was later renamed ‘Winnie’, after a black bear that the family often saw at London Zoo. The ‘Pooh’ part of the character’s name came from a swan the family owned, while the Hundred Acre Wood was a reimagining of Ashdown Forest – not far from Milne’s country home in East Sussex.

The good-natured Winnie-the-Pooh’s first outing was in a children’s story commissioned by the London Evening News for Christmas Eve 1925. Then came Milne’s own collections: Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926 and The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. These stories were illustrated by E.H. Shepard, whose depictions were based on his own son’s teddy bear, Growler, rather than Christopher Robin’s bear.

The gentle-humoured tales are stitched through with themes of friendship, kindness, innocence and contentment. They also often hinge on food, particularly Pooh’s fondness for honey. The very first chapter of Milne’s first book is titled ‘In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees, and the Stories Begin’, where Pooh floats using Christopher Robin’s balloon to investigate a bee colony, since he has run out of his favourite treat. In another adventure, Pooh is intent on giving Eeyore a pot of honey for his birthday, but can’t resist eating it on his way to delivering the present. Instead, he gives Eeyore a useful pot to put things in.

As Milne’s first book turns 100 this year, you’ll find lots of celebrations. Original publisher Farshore is releasing special editions of the stories and poems, with a new authorised sequel set for release in October. There will also be collaborations with several National Trust properties, and events in Ashdown Forest. January also sees National Winnie-the-Pooh Day on the 18th, the birthday of Milne. If you feel like marking it with something fittingly sweet, consider this thought from a sage-like bear.

‘“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”’