Photo Gallery: Kids Celebrate Winnie The Pooh At Mentor Public Library

Seven-year-old Jacob Minich -- like millions of people around the world -- is a Winnie the Pooh fan.

That's why he and about 30 other children went to the Winnie the Pooh Party earlier this month at the Mentor Public Library, which celebrated the adventures of that famous teddy bear and his friends at the One Hundred Acre Wood.

“I had a great time,” Jacob said of the party

The event was coordinated by MPL Children’s Library Associate Judy Schulz and designed to celebrate Winnie and Milne’s January birthdays.

“Winnie the Pooh and his friends have been favorites of mine and my children,” Schulz said. “I remember watching ‘Winnie the Pooh’ when young and listening to the soundtrack. My kids grew up with the books and videos about Pooh and his adventures.”

Schulz said beloved storybook character is a great role model for children.

“Winnie the Pooh is a happy-go-lucky, kind character who promotes friendship and resilience,” she said. "With help from his friends, things always turn out fine. I think children are drawn to the friendships and adventures Winnie has with his friends.

“Each person can find a favorite character from the books, whether it is timid but plucky Piglet, bouncy loud Tigger or gloomy Eeyore. Children can see these different characters are dear friends who care about each other and their little world. Their adventures highlight values and characteristics including loyalty, ingenuity, cooperation, compromise and love.”

Five-year-old Cece Montagnese brought Kanga to the celebration, because she said the kangaroo teaches children manners.

“She is my favorite because she always acts like a lady,” she said.

Other children ages three to eight years old also brought their stuffed toy of a favorite character to the party.

Rosalina Winney, 5, said she brought Winnie the Pooh because “I like him and he is so funny because he likes honey.”

Schulz said the program gave children the opportunity to experience a few Winnie the Pooh adventures through games and activities, such as pinning the tail on Eeyore and helping the teddy bear learn how to bounce like his friend Tigger.

“Just like Pooh and his friends, they cooperated, bravely, tried different games and created something new,” she said. “Every rumbly tummy received a Winnie the Pooh worthy snack at the end of their adventures.”

Minich’s mother, Karen, said the party was a great celebration, comparable to the quality programs they have attended at the library.

“My kids are involved in all of the activities the library has to offer,” she said. “We are here on a regular basis because we enjoy this library.”

Schulz said she was pleased families joined her in celebrating the adventures of a roly-poly, little bear.

“It was a chance for families to spend a blustery day in Mentor Public Library's Hundred Acre Woods.”

For more information on upcoming children programs, visit the library website:  www.mentorpl.org or call (440) 255-8811, ext. 221.