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"Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic" exhibit at the MFA

by Katie Bircher
Nov 01, 2018 | Filed in Articles & Opinion
The Horn Book staff recently visited Boston's Museum of Fine Arts — just a short walk from our office — to view its new exhibit "Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic." It's packed with photos, correspondence, preliminary sketches, original art, and other artifacts contemporary to the stories' creation by author A. A. Milne and illustrator E. H. Shepard; examples of the books' and characters' incarnations through the decades and around the world; plenty of interactive installations and activities for children; and immersive visual and audio effects to provide visitors of all ages with the sense of exploring the Hundred Acre Wood. Roger offers reflections on the exhibit in his November/December 2018 editorial and over at Read Roger, and you can get a sneak peek with Cindy's photos below — but we highly recommend taking an "Expotition" to the MFA to experience it yourself. "Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic" is open through January 6th, 2019.

[portfolio_slideshow]
All photos by Cindy Ritter.

Katie Bircher

Formerly an editor and staff reviewer for The Horn Book’s publications, Katie Bircher is currently associate agent at Sara Crowe Literary. Katie holds an MA in children’s literature from Simmons University and has over seven years of experience as an indie bookseller specializing in children’s and YA literature.

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Anne Belov

Probably the most wonderful thing I have ever done, was to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, make an appointment in the prints and drawing study room, and look through 4 boxes of original drawings from The House at Pooh Corner. These were the preliminary pencil sketches that Shepard did for the book. To be able to see these drawings and hold them in my hands (well, the matts, anyway) without any glass obstructing the view, was the closest thing to a religious experience that I have ever had. Winnie the Pooh remains the most influential book for me as an artist and illustrator. Also for my philosophy on snacking. Thanks for this review and the photographs. It revived this memory from several years ago.

Posted : Nov 03, 2018 02:31

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