Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends have enthralled generations of children and have become some of the world’s most beloved characters.
But before their adventures were captured in many millions of books published in nearly fifty languages, they started life in the 1920s as the product of a unique collaboration between author A. A. Milne and illustrator E. H. Shepard. They wove images and text together in a way that was utterly original for the time. It was a process that Shepard relished; he continued to create artwork for new editions until his death in 1976 at the age of ninety-six.
This lovingly designed, full-color volume, which includes a foreword from Shepard’s granddaughter, tells the story behind this remarkable partnership, and traces the evolution of Shepard’s work, from his first tentative sketches to the illustrations we know and love, including the characters’ later incarnations by the artists at Walt Disney Studios.
A stunning and rare collection, filled with some never-before-published sketches and the first illustration of Pooh, The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh is a treasure trove of early art and an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the creation of Pooh bear and Hundred Acre Wood—direct from the artist’s estate—that is sure to become a cherished keepsake for devoted fans and readers who grew up with these timeless characters.