Since its publication in 1926, A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard’s Winnie-the-Pooh has become a beloved classic, inspiring generations through its enduring characters and stories. A century on, this one-day symposium invites scholars and enthusiasts alike to return to the Hundred Acre Wood and reflect on the past, present, and future of this remarkable work.

We begin the day with an academic “sym-pooh-sium” from 9am, with a plenary from Professor Peter Hunt, parallel academic sessions exploring new critical approaches to children’s literature, an illustration workshop, and more.

We then welcome the wider Homerton family from 3pm for a “smackerel” of themed afternoon tea and a closing keynote lecture by Kathryn Aalto, author of The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh.

Everyone will also be able to peruse a Pooh-themed exhibition from the College Library’s renowned rare children’s literature collection, contribute in poem or song to the “Hums of Homerton”, and enjoy pop-up trails to special points of natural interest in the College’s beautiful gardens – our very own enchanted place.