Rating: Not for me

Reading level: Mid-late Elementary

It took a few chapters before I really saw a few glimmers of magic returning to the hundred acre wood. It was a nice try; Milne is a tough act to follow.

To the author’s credit, it was lovely to see a new female character introduced to the line-up: Lottie the otter. Although her confidence far exceeds her capabilities, Lottie’s flair for imagination, boldness, and style complements Kanga’s nurturing sensibility.

Major Concerns:

  • I don’t like Chapter Six because the emphasis on ghosts & spookiness is not worth it for the young audience.
  • Alcohol. The 2nd chapter also mentions the uncle drinking whiskey before bed.
  • Palm Reading. Chapter ten is also not my favorite because Lottie sets up a booth to do palm readings, of which the author kind of makes fun. (See excerpt and picture below.)
  • Idolizing Romance. In Chapter 10 I also wasn’t pleased with the lyrics of a song, which said, “lost without you” and other phrases that over-emphasise romantic love.

Other than chapters 2 and 10, I don’t have many major qualms. Minor concerns are given below. If the opportunity to add it to my bookshelf ever came, I would simply do a bit of redacting.

Minor Concerns:

  • Tigger has a series of loud burps.
  • Owl gets frustrated and “boxes some characters in the ears,” implying violence.
  • Pooh is described (again) as a “bear of little brain.”
  • Mention of “making a wish.”

Overall, I wasn’t too impressed.