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Big news from White River's favourite SOB

Penquin Group (Canada) issued the following statement today about the forthcoming publication this fall of a much-anticipated sequel to A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and The House At Pooh Corner .
HarryColebourneandWinniePooh

Penquin Group (Canada) issued the following statement today about the forthcoming publication this fall of a much-anticipated sequel to A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and The House At Pooh Corner.

Milne's Silly Old Bear (SOB) was named after Winnie, a black bear from White River donated in 1914 by Canadian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn to the London Zoo.

************************* Winnie-the-Pooh makes a welcome return in first authorized sequel to The House At Pooh Corner

Penquin Young Readers Group (USA) to publish Return to the Hundred Acre Wood - Penquin Group (Canada) distribute in Canada

TORONTO, ON - (July 15, 2009) – Dutton Children’s Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, Inc. (USA), will publish the first authorized sequel to A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and The House At Pooh Corner entitled Return to the Hundred Acre Wood to be released October 5, 2009.

Penguin Group Canada will distribute the book in Canada.

Michael Brown, for the Trustees of the Pooh Properties, who manage the affairs of the A. A. Milne and E.H. Shepard Estates said" “We have been hoping for a good many years that we might one day be able to offer the world a sequel which would do justice to the original Winnie-the-Pooh stories. The original books were one of the greatest celebrations of childhood in any language, but we believe that David Benedictus and Mark Burgess have captured the spirit and quality of those original books. We hope that the many millions of Pooh enthusiasts and readers around the world will embrace and cherish these new stories as if they had just emerged from the pen of A. A. Milne himself.”

Don Weisberg, president of Penguin’s Young Readers Group commented: “Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin are an integral part of so many children’s reading experience. We are privileged to be part of this adventure to bring new tales to a generation of young people in the United States.”

David Benedictus’s manuscript was inspired by his familiarity with Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures after having worked on audio CD adaptations of previous Winnie-the-Pooh stories.

David has collaborated with illustrator Mark Burgess to create what is sure to become another treasured Winnie-the-Pooh book.

Author David Benedictus is delighted to be working on this exciting new project:

“It’s an honour to have my sequel to the original stories approved by the Pooh trustees. I hope that the new book will both complement and maintain Milne’s idea that whatever happens, a little boy and his bear will always be playing.”

Writer David Benedictus adapted and produced the audio adaptations of Winnie-the-Pooh starring Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fru, and Janet Hurrocks. His second novel was filmed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Illustrator Mark Burgess has illustrated countless classic children’s characters, including Paddington bear and Winnie-the-Pooh.

He also designs greeting cards, websites, animations, and special warm places for his cat to sleep.

Winnie-the-Pooh was first published in 1926 and is currently available in 50 languages around the world.

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood is also expected to be available in 50 languages around the world.

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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