I came across this newspaper clipping which announced the publication of Winnie the Pooh. The usage of language really attracted my attention. How writing styles have changed over time! This was a book review and although I could not quite place as to who the audience was, I assumed, not for children. It’s written in a very familiar sort of way, not the sort of way a bear would like, but rather like an old school teacher trying to explain the way of Pooh Sticks to a rather simple mind. I had a good laugh.  I loved how the artist was referred to as ” his friend.”  The usage of the word decorations instead of illustrations. Here’s the text of the article to make for easier reading of  the key points. How would you write it today? What do you think of the original writing style? Something we should embrace today? Or leave it to a very grumpy old bear?

Photograph Courtesy of the British Library Newspaper Achieves