I spent a lot of time reading with my family while growing up. Most nights before bed my dad would read aloud to my sister and I, with my brother occasionally joining us. While I still love almost all the books we read together, this edition of Winnie-the-Pooh holds a special place in my heart, because it is linked not only to my family, but also to my favorite place. I have a vivid memory of my dad reading some of the stories in this book in Vinalhaven, Maine, where we rent a house for one excellent week every summer. My whole family was squished into one bed in our pjs, and the stories made us laugh so hard I actually fell off the bed. Before I left for my freshman year at Yale my parents gave me this book with well-wishes written in it from each of my family members. Not only does it now remind me of my family and my favorite state, but the beautiful simplicity and lightheartedness of the stories remind me to appreciate life in general.

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