The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh: How E. H. Shepard Illustrated an Icon

by James Campbell

Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood are some of the world's most beloved characters in children's literature.

But before they appeared in many millions of books and in nearly fifty languages, they started life in the 1920s as the product of a unique collaboration between A. A. Milne and E. H Shepard; author and illustrator wove images and text together in a way that was utterly original for the time. For Shepard, it was a process that he relished, creating artwork for new editions right up until his death in 1976 at the age of ninety-six.

In this beautifully presented, full-colour volume, readers will not only discover the story behind this remarkable partnership, but also follow the evolution of Shepard's work, from those first tentative sketches through to the illustrations we know and love, and even on to the characters' later incarnations at Disney.

Presenting over 125 full colour images - including never-before-published sketches, finished artwork, personal family photographs and memorabilia - this is the perfect gift for those of us who grew up loving the books.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, Reference

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 7, 2017

About the author

James Campbell is a Scottish writer. He left school at the age of fifteen to become an apprentice printer. After hitchhiking through Europe, Israel and North Africa, he studied to gain acceptance to the University of Edinburgh (1974–78). On graduating, he immediately became editor of the New Edinburgh Review (1978–82). His first book, Invisible Country: A Journey Through Scotland, was published in 1984. Two years later, Campbell published Gate Fever, “based on a year’s acquaintance with the prisoners and staff of Lewes Prison’s C Wing”.

Campbell's other books include Talking at the Gates: A Life of James Baldwin (1991, 2021), Paris Interzone (1994), Just Go Down to the Road: A Memoir of Trouble and Travel (2022). He worked for many years at the Times Literary Supplement and wrote the column 'J.C.' A collection of these appeared as NB by J.C.: A Walk Through the Times Literary Supplement in 2023.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated history of how artist E. H. Shepard collaborated with author A.A. Milne to create the Winnie-the-Pooh books.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed a copy of a this is a nice decor book for my little one’s room. However as nice of a piece of decor it is, man how beautiful it is to see the timeline of the creation of the iconic character and how Winnie because to be on paper.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. James Campbell has done a marvelous job of collecting examples of the art of EH Shepherd who did the illustrations for the Winnie the Pooh books and 'The Wind in the Willows'. Redolent of memories from childhood, every page holds delight. I was reminded of the animals of the 100 acre wood, and the poetry some of which is permanently etched in my memory. My favourite was 'The King's breakfast' which is printed in full. Inside the back cover is an envelope containing an art print of Pooh reaching for the 'hunny'. Recommended for everyone who loved (and still love) Pooh.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent biography about E. H. Shepard and how he came about to work with A. A. Milne to help bring the characters of Winnie the Pooh to life in art. There are many full-page illustrations, some that have never been published, and a great deal of biographical information about Shepard as well as Milne.

I really enjoyed this book. It is hardback, ordered from the U.K. at a very reasonable price, and was worth the wait.

I think it would be an encouragement and a great asset for any writer's, illustrator's or writer/illustrator's library.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning book written in celebration of the centenary of the much loved character Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. Overseer of the E. H. Shepard artistic and literary estate James Campbell has written the first ever dual biography of the men who created Pooh. There are over 150 illustrations including never-before-published sketches, finished artwork, personal family photographs and memorabilia.

Briefly, author A. A. Milne and illustrator E. H. Shepard started their collaboration in the 1920’s and these iconic characters were born. This book tells about their lives and how they came to be working together, from the early days of their work and the evolution of their work, which Shepard continued until the end of his life.

I loved these characters as a child and I love them still so I was mesmerised by this book. There are so many gorgeous illustrations, mainly Pooh related but also some earlier works by Shepard both for Milne and others and a few photographs. This is a book to treasure, one you can go through again and again and see something you missed before. I loved it.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a high three (it's brought down by a slow start for me ... altogether too much biography, I want to plunge into the art. And once we plunged, there wasn't really enough about style, process, media, etc. so I missed a lot of the "How" in the title which I'd been expecting).

But it settled in, and I enjoyed seeing preliminary sketches. Sad to read about Growler. I still think it's marvelous that these enchanted stories are based on real toys, who survived all these years and now get to live in a prime location in New York City! They must have marvelous adventures when the library's closed for the night.

(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

[Rita Ciresi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of classic children's literature will enjoy this romp through the Hundred Acre Wood, exploring the "decorations" of Ernest H. Shepard and his collaboration with A.A. Milne. These never-seen-before early sketches of Pooh, Piglet, and Christopher Robin are charming and delightful and show how author and illustrator worked together to develop some of children's literature's most enduring characters.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really beautiful history into how Winnie-the-Pooh became (and not the Disney version though there is a brief mention). I also was fascinated by how books were created back then—text and art were not considered in tandem which was the norm. Having recently seen the original Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends stuffed plushies at the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures, this was a timely read.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplistic But to the Point

I really enjoyed this book. The biographical detail intertwined with the play-by-play of the publication of the Winnie-the-Pooh books was detailed but never burdensome. The language seems meant for young readers but conveys the story very well. The numerous illustrations that are all explained in the text is a rare-find and highly appreciated.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely look at the collaboration between Milne and Shepard to produce Winnie the Pooh and all of his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. Filled with drawings and sketches by Shepard — many not seen before.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family Ryan and Celeste gave me this book. I loved the illustrations and I just love Pooh so this book was a real gift to read.

[Joan Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to see how Winnie evolved both as an idea and in illustrations. This is a quick read.

[Olga Vannucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winnie-the-Pooh
And E.H. Shepard too.

[Charlotte Harrison-sheffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book, easy to read + understand & contains some of E.H.Shepards most beloved sketches of the ever so famous Winnie-The-Pooh and his friends.

[Megan Bevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely, enjoyable quick read! It was so interesting to find out more of the history of the illustrator of the most beloved bear.

[Pluviostar ~ (Adriano) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so cute! I loved all the illustrations in the book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book will order a personal copy

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailing the lives and business relations of A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard, this biography features a blend of photographs and illustrations from across their respective decades alongside its exploration of how the ever classic Winnie the Pooh was brought to life. Campbell and Shepard brings fans of the titular series a wonderfully kindhearted and in-depth history, well organized and extensive in its visual paraphernalia. Hw does one come upon so charming a bear as this?

[Alice Oakey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the creation and devotion to the Winnie the Pooh books.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly charming book for any Pooh lover. Ernest Shepard's charming illustrations will bring back childhood memories for many generations. Just saw the lovely exhibit "Remembering the real Winnie: the world's most famous bear turns 100" at the Pooh Gallery in Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, MB - a must to see if you are in town. And yes, Winnie was named after Winnipeg!

[Kathy]

Enjoyed book very much. Book has illustrations not published before.