I was listening to the latest podcast from The Readers, and being reminded that Thomas doesn’t like Winnie the Pooh. Now, of course, he’s crazy. I choose to believe he’s having a temporary mental block or something, because we all know what a wonderful, unparalleled gem of a book it is (well, paralleled only by The House at Pooh Corner), and Thomas is a great guy. To understand is to forgive, and all that. But, as A.A. Milne once wrote of The Wind in the Willows, ‘When you sit down to it, don’t be so ridiculous as to suppose that you are sitting in judgment on my taste, or on the art of Kenneth Grahame A.A. Milne. You are merely sitting in judgment on yourself.’
Ok, tongue in cheek, but it did lead me to a fun discussion with some friends – if you had to, how would you rank the characters in your esteem?
It was hard. I love them all. But I do not love them all equally. From first to last, here is the order I came up with (which might change tomorrow, but would always have the same two at the top):
Eeyore, Pooh, Roo, Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Kanga, Rabbit, Christopher Robin
Take your time over a decision as important as this. And if you’ve not read the books yet, or – Heaven forfend – have only watched the Disney adaptations, then familiarise yourself with A.A. Milne’s words and E.H. Shepard’s perfect illustrations. Unless you are experiencing Thomas’s temporary glitch, then you’ll love them all.
I was more of a Now We Are Six child than a Winnie-the-Pooh one (and now I'm a Rabbits sort of woman) but, if forced to rank, here's what I came up with – based on some very hazy childhood memories:
Eeyore (obviously he must come first on any list), Roo, Owl, Pooh, Rabbit, Kanga, Piglet, Christopher Robin,Tigger
I feel I should say that I’ve always held the chairs and their cushions at the party for Pooh along with the reed seat, the raspberry and white tablecloth and the honeypots at Pooh’s house in very high affection. Now then. Hmm. Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Christopher Robin (because of the kind ways in which he often helps Pooh), Roo, Tigger, all the streams of the forest, the little pools, Kanga, all Rabbit’s friends and relations, Owl, Rabbit.
Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore are in a very tight squeeze and really should be thought of as one.
Eeyore, Pooh, Tigger, Roo, Kanga, Piglet, Christopher Robin, Wol, Rabbit. Eeyore has to be tops, well – because. As for Piglet, I was never really a fan, but must admit to feeling quite Tiggerish at times, so he is higher up my list.
Eeyore, Pooh, Tigger, Roo, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Kanga, Owl, Rabbit. I think.
Must admit that always found Eeyore's gloom rather Self-Indulgent and Attention-Seeking. Completely loved Pooh and Piglet (writing and drawings), but have no strong memories of Rabbit, Owl etc. (And think I only read first book, so don't remember Tigger.)
Eeyore, Tigger, Pooh, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Christopher Robin – except I can't decide between the first and second. And I love Rabbit's grumpiness!
After much deliberation: Eeyore, Pooh, Owl, Tigger, Rabbit, Roo, Piglet, Kanga, Christopher Robin.
I have to agree with Mrs. Ford about Eeyore. Here's a first attempt: Pooh, Piglet, Roo, Kanga, Rabbit, Eeyore, Owl, Tigger Christopher Robin.
I see folk have very strong views here (as usual the "obvious" is not to me). Here, presented without any justification, is my ordering:
Pooh, Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet, Roo, Tigger, Owl, Kanga, Christopher Robin
I find I'm in a surprising minority, but I'm just not in love with Eeyore. Perhaps revisiting the stories as an adult I'd feel differently (after all, I'm a "Grumpy Cat" fanatic), but he discouraged my optimism too much as a child. I much preferred Piglet's uncertainty & Pooh's curiosity.
Piglet, Pooh, Tigger, Roo, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Christopher Robbin
I will only add that, to this day, there is a park near my childhood home that I cannot visit without challenging a friend or family member to a game of Poohsticks :)
Eyeore – sadly, I am that kind of pessimistic, self-absorbed, narcisstic person who can relate to him. Piglet and Pooh about equally. Tigger at times enchanting, at other times exasperating.