Books

London: Methuen & Co., Ltd, 1924-1928. First editions of each work in Milne's wonderful Pooh quartet. Octavo, original cloth decorated in gilt, pictorial endpapers, top edge gilt. Illustrated by Ernest Shepard. Each book is fine in a very good dust jacket with some loss and wear to the crown and foot of the spine, as is typically seen. Housed in a custom slipcase. Small ownership name to When We Were Very Young, bookplate to The House At Pooh Corner. “Although Alan Alexander Milne wrote novels, short stories, poetry and many plays for adults, in addition to his work as assistant editor for Punch from 1906 to 1914, it is his writings for children that have captured the hearts of millions of people worldwide and granted Milne everlasting fame” (Silvey, 461). Milne wrote most of these poems at the request of friend and fellow poet Rose Fyleman, who was planning a new children’s magazine. “On a rain-blighted holiday in Wales, [Milne] escaped from the crowd of fellow guests to the…

When We Were Very Young is a best-selling book of poetry by A. A. Milne. It is the first volume of verse written for children, for which Milne is most widely known. The book is filled with verses that reflect a playful innocence that has been enjoyed by both young and adult readers.