Oh, Bother: Winnie-the-Pooh is Befuddled, Too

by Jennie Egerdie, Ellie Hajdu (Illustrator)

Welcome back to the Hundred Acre Wood (or at least what's left of it with the encroaching big box stores) as Winnie-the-Pooh and friends acclimate to the joys and worries of the 21st century in this heartfelt parody. 

The world has changed a great deal in the 100 years since A. A. Milne first created the loveable Winnie-the-Pooh, but that doesn't mean he and his friends can't adapt. With warmth and a wry sense of humor, Jennie Egerdie, author of Frog and Toad Are Doing Their Best , taps into everyday struggles, offering support and plenty of laughs along the way. Like the rest of us, Pooh worries about what the dwindling bee population will do to his beloved honey, while Owl discovers how far too easily misinformation can spread online. Kanga hopes she can have a night off from raising Roo, and Eeyore is finally taking care of his mental health with the help of Dr Festinker, the neighborhood therapist (and skunk). The world around these animals may not always make sense, but they're determined to keep on going, day by day and smackeral by smackeral.

Genres: Fiction, Satire, Humor

96 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Dee (in the Desert) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 “oh so cute” stars for this “updated” and modern revisionist take on Pooh & Co. (now in public domain) as they deal with the effects of climate change on the Hundred Acre Wood, mental health challenges & therapy, recycling & much, much more. With appreciation for the “read now” ARC from Net Galley - a quick & fun read!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read everything these two create!

[tati york · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you for allowing me to read this book!

the only flaw in this whole book is that it's too short. i wish there were more stories or anything else from this cute little family, especially since they were my favorites while growing up!

this book has a mix of humor and wholesomeness that makes it perfect to read alone or with friends/family. the chapters are short but they are well written and the illustrations are very cute!

the last chapters felt so cozy that it made me a little upset that i was nearing the end. i want to keep this book on my shelf for as long as netgalley allows so that i can reread whenever i need a laugh or comfort with a cozy reading.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute modern update of Pooh and his pals with modern issues and problems.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok. I was expecting a funny parody but sadly fell short in that aspect. This basically removed all the joy and fun out of the Hundred Acre Woods and just gave all the characters everyday struggles, but without the lightheartedness and humor. It was just a disappointing experience with a beloved world.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[Zoë Lillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

i mean it’s Winnie the Pooh for adults — what’s not to love?

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cool how the author made Winnie the Pooh for adults and made the characters modern. Loved it

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cozy, comforting, and nostalgic. Nothing crazy, just nice. It was short, the artwork is quite nice, and the book is beautiful. Eeyore goes to therapy. It just made me smile.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winnie the Pooh to me is a beloved childhood favorite. Now in the public domain I guess writers can do what they want with the characters. This takes a modern take on the original characters. Eeyore goes to therapy. Rabbit has enough food stored to feed the friends for ten years if there is a disaster. Kanga takes a night out for herself. The friend group is still kind and supportive to each other. And I like that the illustrations resemble the classic look done by Ernest Shepard. I enjoyed the gentle humor and assume this is intended for adults who grew up with Pooh and his friends. (3.5 Stars)

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how excited I was to be kindly given access to this particular ARC as A day spent with Pooh is my favourite day! (Please excuse the gratuitous artistic licence employed there) BUT, yes! Winnie the Pooh (original book) AND a modern retelling! THANK YOU

I can't even.

Ok, I will pull up my grown up socks and get on with the review.

But it's a Winnie the Pooh retelling!

Ok, promise, this time;

"Oh, Bother - Winnie-the-Pooh is Befuddled, Too (A Smackerel-Sized Parody of Modern Life) by Jennie Egerdie and published by Running Press is beyond chef's kiss good, this chef is taking you to PAris for a posh dinner AND buying you flowers and choccies! It is simply stunning, hilarious, whimsical, charming, and oh my life I cannot get over the "orange goo". I was howling with laughter!

(Also "in which our friends meet an incredulous marmot" - I nearly passed out from laughing)

Seriously, a marmot with a bumbag on (a fannypack for our lovely American friends)

Here I am, trying to write a serious review about how utterly AMAZING this book is and I am giggling my head off

The illustrations are fantastic, the prose screamingly hilarious and all in all, a real treat. Maybe I will write another review, all sensible and focussed on the technical brilliance and skill with narrative, but right now, I am utterly thrilled and so very delighted. I will absolutely be buying this book. And in hardcover to boot!

Buy this book. If you loved Winnie the Pooh as a child, buy this book for you as an adult. It is simply fabulous

Thank you very, very much to Netgalley, Running Press and Jenny Egerdie for this truly phenomenal ARC that brought so much fun to my evening. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Oh, Bother is a modern take on the beloved A.A. Milne characters from the 100 acre woods by Jennie Egerdie. Released 7th May 2024 by Hachette on their Running Press imprint, it's 96 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is part parody and a little bit of pastiche/homage featuring Pooh & co. dealing with life in the 21st century (urban sprawl encroaching on the 100 acre woods, therapy, global warming, threatening species extinction (bees) and more). Oh, bother indeed.

It's short, made up of 16 brief vignettes, and all featuring the beloved characters in various day-to-day situations. The text is enhanced by Ellie Hajdu's simple pen and ink sketches which are reminiscent of the E.H. Shepard originals without being too derivative (or actionable).

Three and a half stars. Worth a look for library acquisitions personnel and potentially for gift giving purposes.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Emily Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It’s got the sweetness and coziness of the original Hundred Acre Woods stories that fans will remember. The author does a great job of staying true to the familiar characteristics of the beloved characters of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo and even Eeyore. The thing that makes this book stand out is that it explores modern life situations through the characters. For example, Eeyore wants to work through his depression and mental illness so he goes and sees a therapist, who helps him work through his dark psyche. Rabbit is panicking about the future and the state of the world and becomes what we would call a “doomsday prepper.” Piglet works through his hoarding, Tigger tries out yoga but struggles being still, Kanga struggles with finding her self-worth in the thick of motherhood. Relatable scenarios played out through the characters of our childhood. I thought it was endearing and sweet. I wish it was a little bit longer.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilarious and heartfelt parody follows the lovable cast of Winnie-the-Pooh as they do their best to navigate the trials and tribulations of the modern day. Eeyore sees a therapist, Piglet tidies up with the Marie Kondo method, Kanga gets a night off from taking care of Roo, Owl grapples with misinformation online, Pooh sorts his recycling and worries about the bees becoming an endangered species, the gang attempts yoga, and the Hundred Acre Wood deals with climate changes's extreme weather.

Egerdie preserved and stayed true to the charm of Milne's original characters beautifully. The warmth, humor, and soul of each of them had a chance to shine. Ellie Hajdu's illustrations are adorable. This book was comforting like eating your mom's homecooking again. I only wished it was longer!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absolutely delightful "adaptation" of Winnie the Pooh for our times. The stories bring to life all our favourite characters, and introduce a few more.

The tales told here deal with various modern concerns and conundrums - not least the implications of climate change for honey production (which is, let's face it, one of Winnie the Pooh's primary worries).

There is a lot of wisdom, and a great deal of fun to be had with this little book. If you care about anything really, and especially if you are a fan of Winnie the Pooh, this book is not to be missed.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Melly Mel - Shelf_ishly_lit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Bother: Winnie the Pooh is befuddled, too.
A sweet, naive and befuddled bear and his endearing companions take on modern puzzlements (I made up that word, just as Pooh sometimes does).

This nostalgic set of characters remain as loveable as always and I enjoyed returning to the 100 acre woods as they sort through some of today's predicaments: climate change, wellness, deciphering online information, and food security and overall sustainability. Complex issues for Pooh, as they are for us.

This could be a nice book to start important conversations with our littles. Or, a good book for us adults to help sort through big issues with comforting childhood friends.

[Ashley Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and cozy read about Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods as they deal with misadventures and fun. This was such a cute and cozy read and still keeps the charm of the classic characters. It's perfect for fans of Frog and Toad and anyone who enjoys a sweet and adorable read. It perfectly captures the essence of the original characters but with a modern feel and twist and I think its just delightful!

*Thanks Netgalley and Running Press, Running Press Adult for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Hayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorable little book brings our friends from the Hundred Acre Woods to life with the wit and kindness that we’ve come to know and love them for.
I loved how the author was able to bring these well-loved characters to life again and how she captured their personalities. The modern setting created little parables for our time that are good reminders for us all.
I’m very glad to have read this.

Thanks to Running Press and NetGalley for providing me an ecopy in exchange for an honest review!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended I check this one out after enjoying Egerdie's Frog and Toad book. I really enjoyed this one too. I read it straight through in order to write my review, but I think this would be best appreciated by flipping through it occasionally when you need a boost. A great book to have out on a coffee table or nightstand. This will also make a great gifting book, I think I will be gifting it to some high school and college graduates this year!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in return for a fair and honest review.

[amycw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing and overpriced.

Oh, Bother is a very short series of Winnie the Pooh tales meant to parody modern life. Eeyore goes to therapy, Kanga meets up with other single parents for time away from Roo, Rabbit starts hoarding food for the apocalypse, etc. Unfortunately, while this was a good premise, the stories are blah and unfunny. I finished the book in less than 30 minutes and never laughed once (and it cost $18). The illustrations are good, though.

[James Klagge · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this b/c we had enjoyed her previous book Frog and Toad Are Doing Their Best (A Parody): Bedtime Stories for Trying Times. This seemed like a promising idea, but it just didn't have the same charm.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like coming back to an old friend. I know this isn’t written by AA Milne but it has the warmth and humour of the beloved stories from my childhood with beautiful animation to go along with it and the kind of stories I could imagine being told today. I absolutely adored this book. This is a book for the adult generation who need a bit of Pooh wisdom to get through the day.

[Kayla Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Relatable. And also very comforting.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, sweet read! Pooh and friends deal with the likes of mental health, climate change, and the internet. Get ready to experience your favorite childhood group face the same tolls we all do.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, quick read for any Winnie the Pooh lover!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, while being true to the source material.

[Joisa Gallin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, simple, heartwarming, loves that eeyore is going to therapy

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

(DNF pg28)

[Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library book, not quite what I was expecting but interesting with some points to ponder

[Terra Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful trip to the 100 acre woods.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I prefer Pooh stories where the characters are living their best ignorant lives.