oh, the vagaries of timesonline indexing - Nicolette Jones' ST slot so often omitted, this week online a day ahead of the print edition - not that David Benedictus will be pleased about that...
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus with decorations by Mark Burgess
[Benedictus's] sequel adds nothing significant, despite an older Christopher Robin back from school with a bicycle, the introduction of cricket to the animals, and a newcomer: Lottie the Otter, who is sort of snobby and knowledgeable, though much less recognisable as a type than any character Milne ever invented. Even old friends are diluted: Rabbit is suddenly organised rather than officious; Eeyore makes less of an art of gloom. The mannerisms of Milne are not enough: they become tedious, in fact, despite flashes of wit. The meandering stories are neither moving nor funny, while Pooh's new hums lack that perfect Milne rhythm. NICOLETTE JONES
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