Book Details:
- Format: Paperback
- Publication Date: 6/20/1991
- Pages: 160
- Reading Level: Age 18 and Up
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
129 of 132 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I sing of a boy and a bear...
Perhaps Vergil would have opted for Pu (Pooh) rather than Aeneid had he the choice, and begun his tome not in the journey from Troy, but rather the journey around the forest.
I have this sitting next to books of equally interesting exercise, such as a translation of modern poetry into Old English. Likewise, Henry Beard's translations of various ordinary statements and phrases in Latin (and cat behaviours in to French) also sit next to this honoured tome.
When I returned from Britain and began to think in theological-training terms, I had to re-acquaint myself with Latin; for an exam I had to memorise one biblical passage, one passage from the Aeneid, and one passage of my choice. I chose Winnie Ille Pu, and, as it had not been excluded from the list, I was permitted this indulgence (I believe that the exam list now has a section of excluded works, including this one, more's the pity).
Do not be frightened off by the fact that this is a book in Latin. It is very accessible, and quite fun to read with the English version of Winnie-the-Pooh at its side. The Latin version has kept many of the original illustrations as well as the page layout forms, for example:
In English:
And then he got up, and said: 'And the only reason for making honey is so as I can eat it.' So he began to climb the tree.
He
climbed
and he
climbed
and he
climbed,
and as he
climbed
he
sang
a little
song
to himself.
It went
like this:
Isn't it funny
How a bear likes honey
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
I wonder why he does?
In Latin:
Et nisus est
et
nisus est
et
nisus est
et
nisus est
et nitens carmen sic coepit canere:
Cur ursus clamat?
Cur adeo mel amat?
Burr, burr, burr
Quid est causae cur?
Statements sound much more grand in Latin: 'Ior mi,' dixit sollemniter, 'egomet, Winnie ille Pu, caudam tuam reperiam.' which means, 'Eeyore,' he said solemnly, 'I, Winnie-the-Pooh, will find your tail for you.'
This is a delightful romp through a language study. I have recommended this to friends who want an introduction to Latin, together with the Lingua Latina series, which uses a natural language method for instruction.
Alexander Lenard, the translator, obviously did a great labour of love here, and I agree with the Chicago Tribune's statement that this book 'does more to attract interest in Latin than Cicero, Caesar, and Virgil combined.' One wonders if the Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet will be translated into Latin to make them seem 'more philosophical; or indeed, will Winnie ille Pu be likewise translated into Sanskrit and other such languages? It is not uncommon that the entertaining use of language does more for language enrichment and interest than any academic or official push of the tongue. It is no mistake that the Welsh language effort incorporated cartoons from the beginning -- it is natural for people to respond to fun and lively things, and this kind of treatment can be rather tricky, in that the average reader might not be so consciously aware that education is going on...
Winnie-the-Pooh in Akkadian? Hmmm, I feel a Ph.D. dissertation topic coming on...
This work is no small endeavour, but rather a thorough and engaging translation of the entire Pooh story. From the start, when we are introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh, through to the adventures in the Tight Place (in angustias incurrit), when Piglet meets a heffalump (heffalumpum), meeting Kanga and Roo (Canga and Ru), the expedition to the North Pole (Palum Septentrionalem), and finally saying goodbye, the entire story and text is here. One can (as I do) set the Dell Yearling 60th Anniversary Version of Winnie-the-Pooh side-by-side with Winnie-ille-Pu and follow line by line the engaging story, which translates well into this one-time universal language. And why ever not? Surely if there is a story nearly universal appeal, it would be of dear Winnie.
As A.A. Milne was a graduate of the Westminster School (which is housed down the block from my old Parliamentary offices) and of Cambridge, he might consider the translation of his classic work into the classical language a signal honour, and one wonders if, given the fact that Milne studied classical languages himself, if he ever translated any pieces, however small, into those languages that every English schoolboy learns to hate and love.
The story leaves off with Christophorus Robinus heading off to bath (and presumably, bed) ...
Of course, being a person of small importance myself, I identify much more with Porcellus (Piglet) than Pu. I know the struggles against the clerical/hierarchical/academic heffalumpum, and as Pooh has given me a new language of consideration for such conditions, Pu has given me a bilingual command of that language.
Long live the Porcelli amicus!
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
_Winnie Ille Pu_ has been an amazing help for me, as I am beginning to learn Latin. I am fond of A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books, so this just topped off the list. Having a classic children's book translated into Latin was wonderful, and I extend my greatest thanks to those who translated it. Even if you don't know Latin, it's an incredible introduction to the language!
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My wife and I love this book -- as I study my greek and latin I find that there are far too few "real" connections of the languages for me. Imagine my surprise when she suggested this work to remind me of my youth, and yet advance my studies. And, surprisingly enough, it does help! I just wonder if reading it to my little girl (10 months) is a good idea or not. The latin of the Grinch is confusing enough!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice...
I bought this book as a gift for my sister for her graduation, and she loved it. She'd taken Latin for the past 4 years, and I wanted to give her a nonsentimental gift that would... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Nicole
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ille Pu
This latin version of Winnie the Pooh is fairly decent. Mine arrived in perfect condition. I have two discrepancies however. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Johnny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chistophorus Robinus
"The only New York Times Bestseller in LATIN ever!"
That's what it is folks. If you are a Latin student and want to improve your Latin in an entertaining way, Winnie... Read more
That's what it is folks. If you are a Latin student and want to improve your Latin in an entertaining way, Winnie... Read more
Published on May 11, 2011 by Terri J. Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gem
This is a lovely book about a lovable bear, his friends and adventures. If you like Winnie you should love this book. Read more
Published on November 21, 2009 by B. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
After Basic Latin Instruction, The Bear Can Take Over...
I didn't have very much instruction in Latin prior to buying this book. I learned how to read it out loud, and I got a basic grasp on the grammar. Read more
Published on November 28, 2008 by Celeste Roche
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amusing ...
Treat yourself to this charming little jeu d'esprit. It will do wonders for lifting your sagging Latin spirits when struggling with some of the heavy-duty stuff.
Published on January 1, 2008 by 'amerye'
3.0 out of 5 stars
winnie ille pu
Most people who only know a little Latin should hopefully be able to understand Winnie Ille Pu. The ending has a 'notes' section where unusual phrases such as 'scire velim' are... Read more
Published on March 27, 2006 by AMDG
5.0 out of 5 stars
Infectis rebus abeo
I sing of a boy and a bear...
Perhaps Vergil would have opted for Pu (Pooh) rather than Aeneid had he the choice, and begun his tome not in the journey from Troy, but... Read more
Perhaps Vergil would have opted for Pu (Pooh) rather than Aeneid had he the choice, and begun his tome not in the journey from Troy, but... Read more
Published on March 14, 2006 by FrKurt Messick
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best, Bear!
I'm so lucky that my high school Latin teacher, in the early 80s, had us read this alongside Virgil, Horace, Ovid, etc. I had never read "Winnie The Pooh" before! Read more
Published on October 29, 2004 by foundpoem
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Paragraph of Pooh
The top line is the original English.
The second line is the latin.
The third line is an attempted translation. Read more
The second line is the latin.
The third line is an attempted translation. Read more
Published on July 26, 2004 by MDtoMD
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