New 'Winnie-the-Pooh' book expected this year

"Milne's stories may have been written in 1920s England, but they are set in the enchanting world of a child's imagination," said Michael Brown, chairman of the Trustees of Pooh Properties, which manages the affairs of the Milne estate as well as the estate of E.H. Shephard, the books' original illustrator.

"The new stories arise naturally out of that world, and so, like the original stories, are timeless," Brown said. "We hope they will appeal not only to children, but also to parents and grandparents all over the world who love Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends and the stories about them."

Anastasia de Waal, head of family and education issues at Civitas, a research organization in London, said she's positive a new generation of children will be charmed by the Pooh stories.

"Some of the best-selling books, from older classics to Harry Potter, have had characters and settings which are very unfamiliar and seemingly 'irrelevant' to children — yet still manage to enchant them," she said. "Good stories, well-developed characters, and captivating illustrations don't go out of fashion, however 'sophisticated' children's tastes may appear to be."

Many parents, too, say their children are still fascinated by the adventures of the honey-loving bear, even in 2009.

They also argued that the Pooh stories embody the values and attitudes — such as loyalty and friendship — that are especially important to teach modern children faced with a new set of temptations.

West London mother Amanda Kerr said that even her older sons still sleep with their Tigger and Pooh stuffed animals every night.

She said they loved the books and still enjoyed watching the animated films.

"I reckon that with the right marketing campaign Pooh could be a success all over again, and especially with the preschool-aged children," she said.

The first Pooh book appeared in 1926, featuring characters based on stuffed animals belonging to Milne's son, Christopher Robin. Over the years the books became firm favorites with young and old alike. Even Walt Disney was a fan, bringing the bear to film in 1966.

The sequel, authorized by Pooh Properties, will be by novelist and playwright David Benedictus, who worked on the CD audio adaptations of previous Winnie-the-Pooh stories. It will be published in the U.S. by Penguin imprint Dutton Children's Books and in Britain by Egmont Publishing.

Details of the story are being kept under wraps, although the last book ended with Christopher Robin headed off to boarding school. Benedictus said only that he hoped his book would "both complement and maintain Milne's idea that whatever happens, a little boy and his bear will always be playing."