4.0 out of 5 stars
Simplified for little ones, but faithful to the original, June 18, 2007
When I went to introduce my preschooler to Winnie-the-Pooh, I bought the big book with the complete stories and poems. It didn't take long for me to figure out that it wasn't quite right for my 3-year-old. Reading a story out of the original works takes a good 15-20 minutes, which is more than one can really expect from a preschooler or toddler. Also, the original Pooh is a bit like Sesame Street, in that there are phrases and indeed entire sections of the stories that adults will find amusing but which will just go over a child's head.
And yet, I didn't want to break down and go the route of the Disney-fied Pooh books, with their cartoonish illustrations and watered-down plots and characters.
That's why I was so pleased to find the Easy-to-Read series. There are six easy-to-read titles from two publishers. They are:
Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees
Pooh Goes Visiting
Eeyore Has a Birthday
Tigger Comes to the Forest
Christopher Robin Leads an Expedition
Pooh Invents a New Game
Each book is based on one chapter from the complete works. These little books are divided into four chapters, although it should be no problem to read one from start to finish in one sitting.
The print is large and well spaced, and there are ample illustrations (the original drawings by E.H. Shepard) on every page spread to keep little eyes engaged in the story. Most important, the editor has removed most of the passages that aren't so kid friendly and has simplified the stories without giving them a Disney style candy coating. One could read the original story and then the easy-to-read version and get the same basic plot; when going from the Milne works to the Disney versions, the same is certainly not true.
I didn't give these books five stars because the editor retained some language and dialogue that may be a bit confusing for children in the intended age range. Nevertheless, these books are a wonderful introduction to a classic cast of characters for the preschool set.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic Pooh Story, November 21, 2006
This is a classic and favorite Pooh story. It's been told many times and it's been seen on television / video. This is a wonderful retelling, adapted by Stephen Krensky (who also does the "Arthur" chapter books) and featuring the original-style illustrations.
In this story, Christopher Robin leads Pooh and our other friends in the Hundred Acre Wood on an expedition, or as Pooh calls it, an "expotition." Some are a bit frightened at first, but they know they're okay as long as Christopher Robin is around.
This is a story of adventure and discovery. It has classic Pooh charm and shouldn't be missed by Pooh fans.
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