New York Public Library to retain original Winnie-the-Pooh toys

The British Embassy in Washington has denied rumors regarding a campaign to return the original Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed animals to the United Kingdom. The collection, which includes characters like Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and Kanga, will remain at the New York Public Library.

The toys belonged to Christopher Robin, the son of English author A. A. Milne, in the 1920s and served as the inspiration for the famous children’s books. Originally purchased from Harrods in London in 1921, the collection traveled to the United States for a national tour before being donated to the library in 1987 by Dutton Children’s Books.

The denial follows reports of efforts to bring the bear “home” to the UK, including a previous attempt by author Gyles Brandreth to facilitate a visit to Buckingham Palace. In response to the rumors, the library is preparing for the 100th anniversary of the books in 2026, with plans to host exhibits and distribute 3,000 free copies of the stories.