©2009 Trustees of the Pooh Properties; (P)2009 Penguin
"Glorious Jim Dale"
Like many Americans, I grew up with such British childhood classics as "House at Pooh Corner." Yet one forgets how veddy British they are, till one hears one's favorite characters, from Christopher Robin to Eeyore, speaking with gorgeous accents, and Rabbit sporting a Scottish brogue, all provided by the glorious Jim Dale. David Benedictus does a fine job bringing Pooh and his pals to life, updating the original ever so gently here and there. The premise of "Return to the Hundred Acre Wood" is Christopher Robin's return from prep school for summer vacation. And then, in addition to Owl, Piglet, and the rest, there's a new character, Lotte the Otter, who adds her own feminine (and hilarious) touch to the forest. I hope Benedictus and Dale team up again to bring us more pleasure. And more HUUUUMMMMMMS! I've never heard a hum before, and, yes, this is exactly how they should sound! :-)