Classic stories and their characters have a way of bringing generations together.
Pooh Bear, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore and their friend Christopher Robin ‘left the corner of their forest’ to enjoy the annual Children’s Literary Tea at the Tavares Public Library on July 30. The library celebrated 100 years since Winnie-the-Pooh made his first appearance in a collection of children’s stories written by A.A. Milne in October 1926.
Rebecca Campbell, the library’s director, said celebrating the legacy of Winnie-the-Pooh during the third annual tea was a great way to bridge together different generations who grew up reading about the exploits of the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood.
“I always liked the Winnie-the-Pooh stories growing up,” she said. “I always thought he was a cute and fun character — Tigger too. We felt that the 100th anniversary would be a perfect way to tie everything in and reintroduce Winnie-the-Pooh to some of the attending parents, or maybe even introduce him to first-time readers.”
Campbell enjoys seeing families come dressed up, taking pictures and celebrating their love of reading.
“The tea is the final event that is part of our children’s summer reading program,” she said. “The whole purpose of the children’s summer reading is to help children maintain their reading comprehension and prevent the summer slide. We always base the main character off of a classic or new children’s book character.”
Ashley Armstrong, circulation librarian, helped the event come together by creating decorations featuring various versions of Pooh.
“We mostly went with the classic and old-school versions of Winnie-the-Pooh, using lighter color pastels,” she said.
Yellow pastel tablecloths draped the tables that were topped with centerpieces that featured white flowers and Winnie-the-Pooh character cut-outs.
A poster of Eeyore hung on a wall for a version of the Pin the Tail on the Donkey game. Guests could have their pictures taken among pastel green, yellow, orange and blue balloons, a map of the Hundred Acre Wood and cut outs of characters in the original design.
Armstrong also prepared treats that were inspired by characters. Menu items included orange-covered strawberries called “Carrots from Rabbit’s Garden,” pretzel sticks called “Eeyore’s House Sticks” and Cheetos called “Tigger’s Tail.”
“I think the event is special and fun because I grew up watching the show and my dad worked at Disney, so I saw the characters. I feel these are classic characters who everyone grew up with,” Armstrong said.
While taking their seats, guests Lorena Arana and her daughters Natalia Arana and Isabel Arana marveled at the decorations on the walls and tables. The trio wore matching shirts of characters from Winnie-the-Pooh carrying books with Disney Winnie-the-Pooh ears.
“We love coming to the teas and their other events,” Lorena said. “It truly feels like a family and they are very detail oriented.”
Lorena said she and her family value the resources at the library, from the books to the events.
“As a schoolteacher, I feel reading is super important,” she said. “I’m here almost every day and my girls often check out books through me. This library has great incentives that encourage kids and teens to go read.”
Dressed in a yellow skirt and red shirt, paired with her Winnie the Pooh ears and dangling earrings, Marli Lopez came prepared for the party.
“Whether it’s Children’s Literacy Week or Halloween, I get in character,” said Lopez, the library’s circulation and technical services coordinator. “Any excuse to dress up, I take it.
After Campbell, Armstrong and Lopez greeted families and guided them to grab snacks, Lopez read “Christopher Robin Gives Pooh a Party,” one of the stories out of the first “Winnie-the-Pooh” book. Guests then played Pin the Tail on Eeyore.
Bob Grenier, City of Tavares vice mayor, helped four people win a prize by pulling their tickets during a chance drawing.
“In fifth or sixth grade, I had to read ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ as an assignment,” he said. “I remember reading it to my father and he was sitting there listening to the story. I remember looking at how the book was structured and put together. Now, about 60 years later, I’m an author of 14 books and have a great-grandchild.”
Joining in on the fun, Grenier was blindfolded and spun around so he could Pin the Tail on Eeyore. The vice mayor said he enjoys seeing community members participate in events at the library.
“I believe a library is the heartbeat of a community,” Grenier said. “This is a place people can gather for an event, to learn or be together. I love coming to these events because of the community. It’s great to see them smile.”
For more information about programs the Tavares Public Library offers, visit mylakelibrary.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
