ooh Bear knows what he wants when he's a little "rumbly in his tumbly" ... honey. Hmmm, but what to do when the jar is empty and there's only the sticky parts left? "Oh bother, empty again ..." Being a bear of Very Little Brain (but sometimes Great Cleverness), he might try to fool some Suspicious Bees into believing he's just a little black rain cloud, or on second thought, it might be easier (and a little less prickly) to stop by Rabbit's house for a small smackerel of something sweet ... Either way, something unexpected is bound to happen ... like becoming a Wedged Bear in a Great Tightness. Oh, Bother! Still, everything always comes out right for Pooh, and that's because, though his head is only stuffed with fluff, he's a bear of Great Heart, Christopher Robin's special friend, and a Silly Old Bear. The A.A. Milne character was first animated by Disney artists in "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" (1966), and later appeared in three additional theatrical featurettes, along with educational films and television series. He became one of the more popular Disney characters on merchandise, due to an early exclusive marketing agreement with Sears. Three of the featurettes were combined, with connecting animation, and released as a feature: "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" (1977). Winnie the Pooh (known as Edward Bear in his early appearances in "When We Were Very Young") had a real-life career as Christopher Milne's (son of author A.A. Milne) favorite toy. The bear, given to Milne for his first birthday in 1921, still exists and can be visited in the Children's Reading Room of the New York Public Library on West 53rd Street. Actor Sterling Holloway, who voiced the beloved bear, was a popular actor at the Disney studio and also performed the Messenger Stork in "Dumbo" (1941), narrated "Lambert the Sheepish Lion" (1952), and voiced the villainous snake, Kaa, in "The Jungle Book" (1967). More fun with Winnie the Pooh.  |  Download "Winnie the Pooh" images.