On Tuesday 18 January, thousands of children across the country, including children from Stoke tuned in to an author event celebrating Winnie-the-Pooh day with the National Literacy Trust. Over 400 more joined in with an additional storytelling event led by local storyteller Allan Barret and hosted by Stoke Reads and Stoke-on-Trent Libraries.
The national event featured Jane Riordan, author of Winnie-the-Pooh: Once There Was a Bear, published by HarperCollins division Farshore. Jane took thousands of children back to where it all began as her book, illustrated by Mark Burgess, explores the time when Winnie-the-Pooh was originally purchased for a baby Christopher Robin. All schools attending the event were given a brand new activity pack created and generously donated by HarperCollins. The local event attended by over 400 children from 36 schools in the city saw local storyteller Allan Barret read to children live from City Central Library in Hanley.
Five of the National Literacy Trust’s regional campaigns, including Stoke Reads also received 1,000 copies of the children’s classic Winnie-the-Pooh: The Best Bear in all the World. In Stoke the books are being gifted to all attendees from Stoke who took part in the national event.
Families in Stoke can still join in with celebrations by downloading the Winnie-the-Pooh day activity pack from this webpage.