Bother! Information about Peter Dennis, A Well-Versed Poohologist

It was on a terribly blustery day that I made an expotition to a cozy little theater in Chicago and was introduced to the talents of Peter Dennis. It was also the first time I had ever seen so many Pooh fans in one place. A sheltered, closet fanatic 'til then, I, like Tigger, thought I was the only one.

There, on stage, with a few modest props and a tiny friend named Marchbear watching quietly from the table, Mr. Dennis opened a well-worn copy of Now We Are Six and read "Us Two." When he had finished, I knew I was in for an enchanted afternoon. He went on to read favorites from all four volumes, sometimes stopping to chat and take audience requests, other times coasting from one story or verse to the next. But for almost two hours, he held us all spellbound simply by reading stories aloud with so much warmth and ...well, magic, I became a devoted fan right then and there. (It also helps, I think, that he's English. "Bother!" just isn't "Bother!" unless it's said with a British accent!)

A personal friend of Christopher, Lesley and Clare Milne, Mr. Dennis also shares a good bit of Milne's biography and background information about how Winnie-the-Pooh came to be, Cotchford Farm in Sussex, the 100-acre Wood and other enchanted places, with each performance.

You can read more about him, and the show and even order recordings on my Peter Dennis bio page.