Did you know that one of the world’s most famous literary bears, Winnie-the-Pooh, was inspired by a real Canadian bear? I didn’t! I’m so happy to have run across this site to discover that fact. Growing up as a kid, Winnie-the-Pooh was my one of my sister’s favorites, so we often watched or read about him.
When you arrive at the site, you’re greeted by the option to view the collection or browse the interactive site. You can’t go wrong with either option. Let’s start with the interactive site
Let’s start with the interactive site. It traces Winnie’s journey from Canada to London where she will eventually meet Christopher Robin.
It takes a moment to load the interactive content. The first thing you should know is that it has sound, so if you’re looking at the site at work, you’ll want to turn the volume down. The second thing you should know is that all you have to do to navigate is scroll down through the page and you’ll be taken through each chapter. In chapter 6, there’s a short video clip of Winnie.
The Collection option is great, too! If you choose Collection, you’re whisked into a landing page with an image of Winnie and Harry Colebourn. Along the top of the page, you’ll find a navigation strip with the following categories: About, Diaries, Photographs, Vet Kit, Scrapbook, Essays, Maps, 3D, and Browse All Items.
I recommend starting in the About section and learning more about Harry Colebourn before checking out his diaries, photographs, and vet kit. Do check out the Vet Kit section, it was really interesting to look at all the different tools that veterinarians would carry with them in the early 1900’s.
This is a lovely site that shares the origination of a childhood favorite, Winnie-the-Pooh.
http://therealwinnie.ryerson.ca/
~Amanda