Winnie-the-Pooh: 100th Anniversary Edition by A.A. Milne

I'm starting the new year reading pile with a bang and taking a look at the 100th Anniversary Edition of Winnie-the-Pooh. This arrived in my mailbox as a surprise and, thanks to the fuzzy cover, has me snuggling it, too. I wondered if it was good to begin the year with an 'old' story instead of something brand new but decided that it might be the best way to begin. After all, this is one of the most iconic children book characters in the English speaking world, and by hitting 100 years, it seems to strengthen the importance of kidlit in our world.

Or maybe, it just shows how adorable and wonderful Winnie-the-Pooh is.

While many of you already know how this book rates on the story end, I'm going to revisit the tale and see if this edition does Winnie-the-Pooh the justice he deserves.

WINNIE-THE-POOH

100th Anniversary Edition

by A.A. Milne

Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard

Aladdin

Children's Fiction

368 pages

ages 6 and up

COMING JANUARY 6th!!!

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of everyone’s favorite bear-of-little-brain with this special bind-up edition of A. A. Milne’s classic novels Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner—featuring a flocked cover that’s soft to the touch.

The story of the honey-loving, bumbling bear Winnie-the-Pooh has been a staple in children’s libraries since its original publication in the 1900s. Venture into the Hundred Acre Wood and join sweet Pooh, understanding Christopher Robin, timid Piglet, downcast Eeyore, impatient Rabbit, loquacious Owl, loving Kanga and Roo, and bold Tigger on their exploits.

In each chapter they have a new adventure, from searching for honey or celebrating birthdays to hunting Heffalumps or navigating a flood. Complete with the original black and white interior illustrations by Ernest Shepard, this edition is the perfect way to experience the children’s classic that has captured imaginations for the past century.

This charming paperback bind-up includes:
Winnie-the-Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner

PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Fans of Winnie-the-Pooh are met with the original tale and illustrations inside a cover as cuddly as the bear himself.

This is the 100th Anniversary edition of the much-loved Winnie-the-Pooh tales. The two collections, Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, are included in these pages, encompassing a total of ten Winnie-the-Pooh adventures. The original map created by Mr. Shepard starts off the book and is followed by the Table of Contents as well as a short introduction from A.A. Milne. The stories are written in a standard font, making the easy to read, and the illustrations are sprinkled in between the tales. 

It's a lovely edition for the 100th Anniversary, and I appreciate the heavy tendency to stay true to the original while adding a nice touch (the fuzz), which is sure to delight younger readers. It's a nice collectable and something Winnie-the-Pooh fans...or soon-to-be...will enjoy.

And here they are...

 

A. A. Milne (1882–1956) was an English playwright, poet, and author. He served in both World Wars, but in peacetime devoted himself to writing. He is best known for his Winnie-the-Pooh books, which were inspired by his son, Christopher Robin Milne.

Ernest Shepard (1879–1976) was an English painter and book illustrator. Encouraged by his parents to pursue art, he attended the Royal Academy Schools and began his career illustrating for Punch magazine. During the First World War, he aided the Intelligence Department by sketching combat areas, and he was later awarded the Military Cross for his service with the Royal Artillery. In addition to his work as an artist, Shepard wrote two autobiographies and two novels for children. He is best remembered for his anthropomorphic animal illustrations in The Wind and the Willows and the Winnie-the-Pooh series.

Happy New Year and What's Coming in January?

Happy New Year, everyone! And while I send tons of wonderful wishes to all of you concerning health, prosperity, happiness, and all sorts of blessings, I also wish for many moments of lovely tales and words. With this thought in mind, I'm going to launch into the New Year of Bookworm for Kids with a fun reading list for January.

This month, I'm starting out with an 'oldie but goodie' and taking a peek at the 100th Anniversary Edition of Winnie-the-Pooh! I'm hoping to be all about fun reads, this year, and will be stepping a bit more back from purely message driven books. I do realize that really good reads hold valuable thoughts for life, but I'm going to try to lean more toward books, which keep the entertainment level high as well. In other words, I want to discover tales, which let readers sink into the worlds and get lost in the pages.  Also, nonfiction books can be great, and I'm hoping to find all sorts of these to throw into the mix, too.

That said, January looks like it's going to hold a solid mix on genres and directions. I've also made sure to include, at least, one young adult read each week, this month. Last year, I was a bit skim on these. There's some adventure, some scifi, some horror, a few fantasies, nonfiction, feel-good-reads, and more coming up. But the best way to give an impression of what's on my pile is to simply let you take a quick peek:

WINNIE-THE-POOH 100TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

It's been years since I read Winnie-the-Pooh, and I was super surprised when this special copy arrived in my mailbox. You can imagine the huge smile on my face when I unpacked this read. Plus, it has a fuzzy cover! Yep, it's going to be one to literally cuddle up with. Anyway, I'm excited to revisit the tale and see how this anniversary edition holds up to expectations. And of course, I'm hitting this one as the very first read of 2026!

Children's Fiction

BEHIND FIVE WILLOWS

I listed this one as a sneak-peek read last month, but it ended up getting pushed down the line for a sudden ARC from Marissa Meyer. But there is no way I'm going to not read this one and share it with you guys. I'm going to isolate myself from the world and sink into this world because knowing this author, it's going to be a grabbing read. Join me on the 3rd to find out all about it.

Young Adult Historical

PUP CHEF

This isn't a kidlit read, per say, but I'm expecting it to be something young readers will want to pick-up too...well, the puppy-loving-creative ones. My daughter has enjoyed baking treats for our dogs over the years, and I bet she isn't the only kid, who wants to give that a go. I'm hoping this involves some simple recipes and ingredients, which aren't super hard to get ahold of. But we'll find out more about it on the 8th.

Pet Cook Book

THE AFTERMYTH, #1

This read has been sitting on my 'Wait' pile for months, but I promised not to touch it until it was closer to release day...which is beginning February. Since I am very curious to see what this tale's about, I'm going to stretch the 'around' definition and present in already on the 12th. It's an academy book, but one surrounding Greek myths, and the MC has been preparing all her life to attend the school only to be placed in the less serious group. I'm thinking maybe School of Good & Evil vibes???? Or maybe not? As said, I'll let you know on the 12th.

Middle Grade Fantasy

A PIRATES' PACT

The idea of finding a treasure map while on an island won me over immediately. I hope this story packs tons of fun adventure. According to the blurb, it also deals with identity issues, family problems, secrets, and several more emotional directions. As long as there's friendship and edge-of-the-seat excitement along with the heart, I'm all for it. Let's see if this duo can achieve all of that or not on the 14th.

Middle Grade Adventure

K—JANE

Lydia Kang is another author, whose works I've enjoyed over the years. So, I was excited to get my hands on an ARC of her upcoming book. This one should take an interesting twist in that the MC is American but thanks to peer pressure and her Korean heritage, feels as if she needs to embody all things 'K'. I hope this is well woven with heart, tons of smiles, and a bit of bittersweetness. But I'll know more on the 16th.

Young Adult Contemporary

RELIC HAMILTON: GENIE HUNTER

I know extremely little about this read...as in, I haven't even taken much of a peek at the blurb, but the title and cover had me sure that this one would be worth picking up. I'm hoping there will be tons of adventure and action and magic...and maybe, an evil genie, this time? That'd be a fun, new twist. It seems to be a popular one for DRC fans to grab up right now, too, so there must be something about this read. We'll rub that bottle and see what happens on the 19th.

Middle Grade Fantasy

BUTTERFLY SEA

Calming picture books are a necessary part of life...don't believe me? Pick one up and give it a try! This book promises lovely illustrations and a bit of enjoyable back-and-forth as a girl tries to take photos of butterflies but her baby brother keeps getting in the way. I'm expecting tons of smiles from this one on the 29th.

Picture Book

OSCAR AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GLOWING ORBS

I saw the cover and the word 'mystery' in the title, and my curiosity spiked. The MC is new to the school, and suddenly sees glowing orbs hovering everywhere. Then, he discovers that no one else sees them and needs to figure out what's going on before it's too late. This one should involve opening up to others, forming friendships...and a chicken? Actually, I just see that on the cover, so I'm guessing it's involved somehow, too. Find out more with me on the 26th.

Middle Grade Mystery

MY SUBWAY RUNS

I so, so, so hope that this one is as good as it might be. The author and illustrator have already garnered attention from earlier works. So, this promises to be a well-done adventure. Plus, it takes place in a subway and views the world through the eyes of a child as it undertakes this big adventure and experiences everything involved. We'll find out how it goes on the 30th.

Picture Book

So many books and never enough time! That's why I have a Joker Read. Every month, there are more books than I could hope to get to on my TBR-list. At the same time, there's a constant shifting in the publishing and reviewing world. Some books don't arrive as planned, others don't connect with me the way I hoped they would, and some just are shoved around for all sorts of reasons. So, while my schedule is full, I have no doubt that a couple days will suddenly be free. That's where my joker read comes in. It's the first on the top of my pile and will be read. But I'm not sure when.  

WHY STARS BURN

I love the cover, and that was enough for me to take a chance on it. As for the story...well, it may or may not be my thing. It surrounds the daughter of Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles and various problems she faces as she coasts between the two cultures and worlds. Plus, there's a lot of other drama included, it appears, to keep things exciting. I'm hoping I'll like it as much as the cover...but when will I tell you? That's the questions, isn't it?

Young Adult Contemporary

End of the Year Wrap-Up!

 

It's time to say goodbye to 2025! It's been a year packed with tales old and new....well, mostly new. This is the only time during the entire year, which I take a moment to look back and see what stories hit Bookworm for Kids, but before I head into some stats, I have one important thing to do...

This little, simple blog receives more and more views every year, and it never ceases to amaze me how all of you take the time to stop by and peek at my ramblings. I can only hope that a book on here has somehow touched the lives of a young reader you know (or maybe, even you) and led to great adventures and food for thought.

STATISTICS

Just for fun (and I might have an odd sense of fun), I like to jot down some quick numbers for the year and give a brief overview of what types of books have been on Bookworm for Kids.

As usual, Picture Books ruled with over 130 reads.

Chapter Books held their own at around 35.

Middle Grade wasn't too far behind the picture books with around 95 titles.

Young Adult books didn't fall back due to my heavier, real-life schedule (they just take longer to read!) and hit around 30 reads.

Graphic Novels also landed with about 35 titles this year.

I've said this before, and I'll have to say it again... Science Fiction was a bit stronger this past year with more titles available than I've seen...hmmmm...well, since I started this blog around 15 years ago(?) Grief and the loss of a loved one also hung heavier in the theme list, which became so heavy that I simply began to turn these down on sight. Also, Fantasy seemed to fade a bit back, which was a first. Mystery also seemed to have an uptick as well as a little more horror. But that could just be me, since I definitely don't sit in the main flow of new releases and try to steer more into a broader direction. 

*****

Every year, I now hit my Favorites of the Year list.... but this year, I'm not sure what to do, since there are several categories, which I didn't really have a lot of reads, which stuck out compared to the others. Maybe, it was my reading mood...or maybe, the tales were of such a good quality that they evened each other out. So, instead of fumbling a list together, I'm just going to say it was a great reading year and leave it at that. If you'd like to see which books were read this year, feel free to head on over to my sidebar and check the various books by age. My favorites are in large print...but you'll soon see that not every age category has many of these.

In any case, I hope you found 2025 as exciting and interesting as I did, and I wish you a wonderful slide into 2026!

Sweet & Salty by King Arthur Baking Company

Today's read is a bit much, I'll admit. After all of those Christmas treats...and still, those Christmas treats, since there was no way to eat all of them on the holiday...making more treats and snacks might seem a bit much. But hear me out.

Next week, it's New Year. Yep, there will be more treats, although probably a different kind. That's where this cookbook will, hopefully, have a chance to shine. Sweet and salty is oh-so-yummy and great for parties, right? Now, I have no idea if the recipes in these pages will fit for the celebration, but there's only one way to find out.

So, here we go!

SWEET & SALTY!

Cookbook for Young Bakers

by King Arthur Baking Company

Simon & Schuster

Children's Cookbook

280 pages

ages 6 to 10

From the most trusted American baking resource comes a collection of over eighty sweet, salty, and very, very tasty recipes that will have bakers of all ages rolling up their sleeves and breaking out their rolling pins!

Who doesn’t want to learn how to bake a Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie? Or snack on some Pizza Party Buns? Or learn how to make five different frostings to top off your favorite cupcakes? Well, this book has recipes for all different tastes and three different skill levels, plus an introduction to terms and techniques that will get you ready to bring the fun into the kitchen. Sweet & Salty is here to share the joy of baking with everyone and bring fun to the kitchen for the whole family!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Get those stoves and ovens ready because this book holds a mountain of tasty ideas, which are sure to delight.

This book holds quite a few recipes...many more than I first expected. Most run in the flour direction, but there are other treats included as well. From crackers to brownies to breads and more, there's something for everyone. The first half of the book hits all those sweet treats, while the second slides into the saltier and savory direction. The difficulty of the recipes is also diverse, including everything from marshmallow treats to cupcakes to kneaded breads. But what really makes this book shine are the explanations of the how-tos and whys, which are sprinkled between the recipes. Bakers learn things such as what the 'ribbon stage' is, how to cut a layered cake, tricks to make biscuits rise higher, and much more. The index at the end makes it easy to find whatever recipe is desired, too.

While this one is recommend for ages 6 to 10, I'd slide that upper range all the way up. While the photos and illustrations might lean in a kid direction, the actual knowledge and recipes in these pages are great for even much older bakers, especially beginners. The recipes cover a very large range even on the cultural side. Mochi, nana, tortillas, pretzels... well, it's a smorgasbord. And the hints, tricks, and explanations offer insights, which aren't always common knowledge. This huge array of recipes also means that the intended age audience (6-10) will need to do many of these recipes with supervision, especially at first. The recipes are marked with difficulty levels next to each title to help out on that end.

The recipes are clearly written out with each step carefully worded. The ingredients tend to steer toward items in the household, but due to the huge range of directions, also include items which will need to be purchased. Only a few of these are more difficult, though. A photo of each treat stands with the recipe, which I truly appreciate. If you're looking for dietary information, however, there isn't a single sign of that...allergies, calories, or anything on that end. 

This is one of the better cookbooks I've run across for the kids, since it can easily stay with them as they slide into adulthood and allows them to grow as bakers without having to search for another fitting book. 

King Arthur Baking Company is the premier baking authority in the English language. Through its website, newsletter, podcast, schools, stores, YouTube channel, Instagram, Facebook, and catalogues, the company reaches more than 8 million people—bakers of all levels—every year. A certified B Corp, 1% for the Planet member, and 100% employee-owned, King Arthur has sold premium flours and other baking necessities since 1790. King Arthur is headquartered in Norwich, Vermont, and online at KingArthurBaking.com.

The School for Thieves by Peter Burns

I love covers which hint at the tale, and the one on today's read does just that. I haven't read the blurb closely (just skimmed) but already have ideas swirling in my head. There's the airship at the top, which reminds of the Hindenburg...so historic aspects or steampunk? The skyline of an older London also has me thinking 'historical aspects'. Then, we have the town in the mountains, so that....hmmm...hints at travel? Maybe, that's the secret school? Lastly, the keyhole on the bottom is inviting to be unlocked. Now, add that there is a school for thieves, and this promises to pack all sorts of fun.

Let's see if all of this adds up to describe a lovely read or not!

(Note: I'm going to slide this one onto my possible favorites of the year list.)

THE SCHOOL FOR THIEVES

by Peter Burns

Aladdin

Middle Grade Fantasy

352 pages

ages 8 to 12

A young pickpocket gets recruited into an elite group of thieves in this “page-turning, edge-of-the-seat” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) upper middle grade boarding school adventure full of heists, danger, and secret plots perfect for fans of Spy School and Keeper of the Lost Cities.

Tom Morgan’s life on the streets of London consists of shining shoes, picking pockets, and keeping his group of street kids out of the hands of snatchers. When he fails at the last and their home is raided, Tom is the only one not carted off to the workhouse. He’s determined to rescue his friends, but breaking into the workhouse is a nearly impossible task, let alone breaking back out.

Tom is at a loss until he’s approached by a mysterious figure claiming to be an accomplished thief and Tom’s ticket to the best training in the clandestine arts in the an elite international boarding school that would teach him all the skills necessary to help his friends. Without any better ideas—and his curiosity piqued—Tom accepts the invitation.

Whisked away to the snowy Alps, Tom enters a thrilling world of intrigue and heists. But the deeper he gets into the Shadow League, the harder it becomes to leave. Tom has to learn fast and uncover the nefarious secrets within the league to have any chance of saving himself, his friends—and maybe even the world.

GOODREADS   /     AMAZON     /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With the very first page, a world of adventure opens up to a rich world with danger and heart.

Tom Morgan has spent most of his thirteen years of life on the streets as a pick-pocket, helping to keep the little community of forgotten kids alive and safe from the workhouses. The scars on his body prove how horrible those are. But not all of the kids realize how terrible these houses are, especially when they continue to promises beds and food. When a raid of the kids' hiding place leaves everyone but Tom captured and placed in one of these horrid places, he's determined to free them...no matter what. While he desperately tries to think of a plan, he runs across a gentleman who can change everything. The man knows everything about him and seems to have been watching him for years. He even knew the one friend, who had taught Tom so many tricks to survive. Tom can have everything...riches and the chance to free every child in that workhouse...but to do so, he's going to have to do the impossible and become one of the best thieves in a school where every student comes from a household of generations of thieves. And he only has a few months to do it.

This is one of the strongest books on the world-building end for middle graders that I've come across this year. The setting immediately threw me back into a London similar to Oliver Twist's. The problems hook right away, and with Tom's personality, create a world and characters to enjoy. The pacing is steady the entire way through, keeping a smooth balance between depth, description, intrigue, and action. I was, actually, surprised that this is one book and not the beginning of a series, since the school itself doesn't even hit until about halfway through. But the author packs it all in, and that without feeling overly rushed. There are definite nods of the usual school set-up, which seems to haunt middle grade novels since Harry Potter appeared, and a cup competition, too, between the schools (instead of houses within the school). But it carries the needed tension and excitement to keep those pages turning. I'd recommend this one to the upper end of the middle grader range and even up into tweens and lower YA.

Fans of exciting adventures with dark undertones similar to Oliver Twist or Six of Crows are sure to enjoy this. 

I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A BOOK 2 COMING!!!!!!! SO, I'M GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THAT!

And here he is...

Peter Burns is the author of ten critically acclaimed nonfiction sports books and has been nominated for numerous awards—twice for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. The truth, however, is that he’s always wanted to write children’s books, so The School for Thieves is a dream come true. Peter studied English at the University of St Andrews before gaining a master’s in publishing at Napier University. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, four kids, and a slightly nervous cocker spaniel. He isn’t a thief, a spy, an assassin, or a politico. Or is he? Visit him at PeterBurnsAuthor.com.