Oh, sunny day!

Last update: October 1, 2009 - 7:11 PM

Oh, sunny day! Oh, glorious day!

After 80 years, Winnie-the-Pooh and gang are back in the first authorized sequel, "Return to the Hundred Acre Wood." The book is due out Monday.

When last we heard, Christopher Robin was going away, and Things were going to be Different. Now, more than eight decades later, a rumor is sweeping the Hundred Acre Wood. According to Owl, who heard it from Rabbit, who heard it from Piglet, the adventures are about to resume. It falls to the bear to pass on the news to Eeyore. "It's Christopher Robin," said Winnie-the-Pooh. "He's coming back."

The drama unfolds in the first authorized sequel to A.A. Milne's classic children's tales. Called "Return to the Hundred Acre Wood," the book, written by David Benedictus and illustrated by Mark Burgess, picks up where "The House at Pooh Corner," first published in 1928, left off. Released in the United States by Penguin's Dutton Children's Books, it's due out Monday.

Pooh purists are surprised that anyone thinks there is a need for a new book, arguing that Milne's work should be left to stand alone. But the Trustees of Pooh Properties, which manages the affairs of the estates of Milne and illustrator Ernest H. Shepard, had long wanted to carry on with new material. When they read an early version of Benedictus' story, they decided they had found an appropriate successor.

The illustrations show a classic-looking Pooh. But there is an addition to the Wood's residents: Lottie the Otter, a stickler for etiquette who is also a keen fan of the game of cricket.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Here are some of Books Editor Laurie Hertzel's favorite sites and blogs. Got a literary link to share? E-mail Laurie.

Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt Home page for the scavenger hunt, which runs now through Dec. 26.
Reading Minnesota A blog that features Minnesota writers, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, and reviewers.
Talk of the Stacks An author series from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Poets & Writers The website for Poets and Writers Magazine--podcasts, author interviews, and writing resources.
Creative Writing A place to keep apprised of writing competitions in the United States.
Gather Minnesota Readers The Website for Minnesota Public Radio's books blog.
The Loft Literary Center The Website for the Loft, a local place for writers and readers.
Good Reads A way to track what you're reading, and what your friends are reading.
Lost Manuscripts Just what it sounds like - a blog (sporadically updated) devoted to missing and destroyed manuscripts.
Maud Newton Very hip, reviews, links, a little attitude.
bookreporter.com A plethora of online book reviews and reading guides.
Rain Taxi Rain Taxi Review of Books.