When you hear the name A. A. Milne, you likely think of Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. And this brings back, to many, nostalgic childhood adventures and memories. Yet, Milne’s talents went far beyond the adventures within these beloved woods. His literary repertoire is filled with poetry, plays, essays, and even mysteries sure to delight readers. So today, I invite you to step beyond the Hundred Acre Wood and explore the hidden gems of A. A. Milne.
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Reading Beyond the Hundred Acre Wood
Reading for All Ages: When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six
Even before Pooh, Milne delighted readers with playful and poignant poetry collections, like When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. The poems contained within these books are quirky and delightful, charming and full of whimsy, and are sure to resonate with readers of all ages. I featured one poem – Disobedience – in an earlier post here.
And as a bonus, they’re perfect for reading aloud, making them timeless treasures for families.
Also, when you read it, you will notice Pooh makes an appearance in both books above. While the first book is just a mention (and a surprising one at that), the second book does speak of Christopher Robin’s friendship with Pooh and friends in the poems Milne writes (of his son, of course)


One of my favorite poems (what do you think? Should we go back to being six, or any other specific age for ever and ever?)

I also loved this edition of Poems from When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne and illustrated by Rosemary Wells.
Another magical sweet sweet read is The Magic Hill for little ones. Find out what happens when a fairy godmother blesses the much awaited daughter (after six sons, the king really wanted a daughter, and that is such a wonderful thing to read here) with making flowers wherever she goes! And the art-work is so… well, you can see for yourself in the little glimpse from the book (below)

The Mystery Writer…
Did you know A. A. Milne wrote mysteries?
The Red House Mystery, published in 1922, is a delightful whodunit set in the English countryside. The story features amateur sleuth Anthony Gillingham and his friend Bill Beverley as they unravel a murder mystery filled with twists, turns, and clever dialogue.
Milne’s witty writing and intricate plotting showcase his versatility as a writer. Though he later downplayed his effort in the mystery genre, this novel remains a favorite among fans of classic detective fiction. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a good puzzle.
Another one, which is not quite a mystery, but kind of, is Four Days Wonder. This features Jenny, an 18 year old daydreamer! The phrase ‘the wrong place at the wrong time’ is what happens to Jenny here when she finds the body of her long-lost Aunt Jane on the flour of her old home.
Note: this one can work for a book-to-movie night for it was made into a movie with the same title!
The Playwright’s Stage Beyond the Hundred Acre Wood
Milne was also an accomplished playwright!! Talk about having your fingers in many pies, and doing it well too! While I am yet to read the plays, I have the books now on my Kindle reader (First Plays and Second Plays ) and will get to the ones within this soon. Based on what I have read, many of them were hugely popular, and had successful and long runs.
I have plans to read two of the plays as soon as I can. First up is The Fourth Wall (simply because I have been seeing it referenced in reading groups on FB, as in ‘breaking the fourth wall’ which I think is one of the reading prompts for this year)
Then there is Toad of Toad Hall. Why, because it is based on “The Wind in the Willows” (one of my favorite childhood reads).
Stories and Essays and More: Milne’s Humor and Insight
Fairy Tales
Once on a Time, a fairy tale for adults, is full of fairy tale tropes captured with Milne’s signature wit and sense of humor. The tale follows the charming King Merriwig of Euralia, the misguided King of Barodia, the enchanting Princess Hyacinth, and the alluring Countess Belvane, among other colorful characters. It seems like one of those many tales where readers, young and old alike, will find something to delight them. Like the obvious funny antics making little readers LOL while the subtle layered humor will bring a smile to discerning readers of all ages.

As a contributor to publications like Punch, Milne honed his skills as a humorist and essayist. His pieces, often infused with clever observations and dry wit, reflect a sharp mind and a deep understanding of human nature. While many of these essays are harder to find today, they’re worth seeking out for anyone curious about Milne’s perspective beyond fiction.
And the Rest
The Sunny Side: Short Stories and Poems for Proper Grown-Ups: This one is a collection of writings selected by Milne himself, from stories and poems he wrote for the satire magazine Punch. They offer humor, clever social insights, keen wit, and odes of joy as well. It is hard to pick a favorite from the many treasures within these pages. All I can say is, they are sure to brighten any one’s day.
And Not That It Matters, but you should read the book with that title, for it does matter! It is a W-ollection! A Witty and Whimsical collection!
Then there is the Pocket Milne (that you can read on the Internet Archive along with many of the other books here), which is a treasure chest of hidden gems.
More recent compilations of Milne’s writings, the ones beyond the Hundred Acre Wood, are worth looking at as well. One of them is The Complete Short Stories of A. A. Milne, and the other is The Pleasure of Writing and Other Essays.
Learn More About the Man (Behind) Beyond the Hundred Acre Wood!
To learn more about him, read his autobiography It’s Too Late Now or anyone of the many biographies including the below:
- Who Was A. A. Milne? by Sarah Fabiny with illustrations by Gregory Copeland (part of the ‘Who Was/Is’ series for young readers)
The Magic Continues
These books are inspired by Pooh, or by Milne’s words, and while they are not beyond the hundred acre wood, they are proof that the magic of words permeates and stays and continues to enthrall us long after they are said or written.
Once There Was a Bear

Once There Was a Bear: Tales of Before It All Began (Winnie-the-Pooh) by Jane Riordan and A. A. Milne with illustrations by Mark Burgess and Ernest H. Shepard (Children’s Classic Literature | 8 – 12 years, and up)
Description: How did Christopher Robin meet his beloved bear? Did Pooh and his friends see any of London before they moved to the Hundred Acre Wood? These questions and more are explored in this charming new collection of stories written in the timeless style of A. A. Milne, with illustrations that are true to the spirit of the original drawings by E. H. Shepard
The Winnie-the-Pooh Cookbook
The Winnie-the-Pooh Cookbook by Virginia Ellison featuring illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard (Children’s Cookbooks)
Description: The famously rotund bear is happiest when in possession of a brimming pot of honey, but when it comes time for meals and smackerels, the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood need something a little more substantial. This delightful collection contains over fifty tried-and-true recipes for readers of all ages to make and enjoy, starting with Poohanpiglet pancakes and ending with a recipe for getting thin-with honey sauces, holiday treats, and dishes for every mealtime in between.

The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh

The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood by Kathryn Aalto (Literature Travel Guides)
Description: Delve into the home of the world’s most beloved bear! The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh explores the magical landscapes where Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their friends live and play. The Hundred Acre Wood—the setting for Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures—was inspired by Ashdown Forest, a wildlife haven that spans more than 6,000 acres in southeast England.
The Wisdom of Pooh
Then there are books featuring the wisdom of Pooh, like one of my favorites The Tao of Pooh, as well as the ones below (I have read each of them and loved them all)
- Christopher Robin: The Little Book of Pooh-isms: With help from Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, and Tigger, too!
- The Te of Piglet
- A Walk in the Wood: Meditations on Mindfulness with a Bear Named Pooh
- Winnie the Pooh: The Little Things in Life
And Now, the End of this Post
Dear reader, are you a Winnie the Pooh fan? Do you love discovering hidden gems? Then you should definitely pick one of these books to read today. You can find many of them online on Project Gutenberg or other similar resources as they are in the public domain (save for a few that will move to public domain in a couple of years or so). So, grab a cup of tea, pick up one of these hidden gems, and let Milne’s words transport you to another world beyond the hundred acre wood, and in it too!
Did you discover any hidden gems by other authors that delighted you? Do share those books and stories of discoveries with me here!! I would love to hear them

That was really interesting! I knew about Winnie the Pooh, but I didn’t know that AA Milne wrote mysteries! I guess you really do learn something new each day!
Hi Vidya,
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
It has been a very long time since I read any of those books.
May it is time to introduce them to my six year old grand-daughter.
Last week a new friend suggested that the books by one of our former prime ministers John Crétien are excellent.
Now i want to go check out those books for i have not read any book by him
I am one of Winnie The Pooh’s fans, but I only watch it on TV, I will try to find the book to read. Thank you for your information.
I always loved Milne’s stories. It is interesting how much Milne did in his lifetime, even though he was mostly popular for Winnie-the-Pooh.
I love this introduction to A. A. Milne and I love Winnie The Pooh. So, I will be sure to check out the other recommendations, it’s all so nostalgic.
Wow this is beautiful. I love books, and now I know what to get my sister as a gift. She’s a book fanatic!