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| Author | Jane Riordan |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Mark Burgess |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children |
| Publisher | Egmont Publishing (print) Disney (e-book) |
Publication date | 3 November 2016 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 64 |
| ISBN | 9781405286817 |
Winnie-the-Pooh Meets the Queen (e-book edition published asWinnie-the-Pooh and the Royal Birthday[1]) is a children's book written to celebrate the 90th birthdays of both the fictional characterWinnie-the-Pooh andQueen Elizabeth II in 2016. The Queen celebrated her 90thOfficial Birthday on 11 June, although her actual birthday was on 21 April. The firstWinnie-the-Pooh book, written byA. A. Milne, was published in October 1926. This original story imagines a meeting between Pooh and Queen Elizabeth atBuckingham Palace. The text was written by Jane Riordan while illustrations were byMark Burgess in the style of the original drawings by E. H. Shepard.
The story was originally available as an audio-video download narrated by the actorJim Broadbent. Broadbent said "I have been a fan ofWinnie-the-Pooh since I was a boy. In fact I named my very first and much loved teddy Pooh and that can only have been after the A. A. Milne character".[2] The print version followed in November 2016.A. A. Milne dedicated a 1926 book of songs featuring Pooh, "Teddy Bear and Other Songs", to the newborn then-Princess Elizabeth. As a little girl, Princess Elizabeth was also presented with a hand-paintedChristopher Robin tea set.[3] A PDF e-book version was also released byDisney. In this edition, Jane Riordan is not credited as author.[4]Prince George of Wales has an appearance in the story whenPiglet presents him with a red balloon. George is not named, just nicknamed "Little Boy", but is described as "much younger thanChristopher Robin and almost as bouncy asTigger".[5]
Christopher Robin informsWinnie-the-Pooh,Piglet,Eeyore,Rabbit,Tigger, andKanga thatQueen Elizabeth II is about to celebrate her 90th birthday. The toys discuss the need for a very special present to mark the occasion. Pooh comes up with a hum that everyone agrees would make a charming gift. Christopher Robin, Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore travel up toLondon on a train fromEast Grinstead to deliver the hum in person. They take a bus fromVictoria station and enjoy such iconic London sights asPiccadilly andTrafalgar Square. The Queen happens to be out for a stroll in front ofBuckingham Palace, allowing Pooh the opportunity to deliver the hum in person. After Piglet gives a balloon to the Queen's great-grandson,Prince George, Pooh and the gang then return home to the Hundred Acre Wood.
