The Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet

by Benjamin Hoff

Here is another in my occasional series of book reviews with a difference. The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet are two separate books in one edition which present Taoist philosophy in a very unusual way. The author Benjamin Hoff puts forward the belief that this ancient Chinese philosophy can be explained through the writings of A A Milne, especially in the books Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner.

It is important to stress at this point that Hoff’s books are not what I would class as ‘self help’ books; they merely suggest at a possible course of action that everyone might benefit from through adopting Taoist beliefs. I’m not going to go into the whys and wherefores of Taoism here – this is a book review, not a philosophy lecture, but his linking of Pooh and Piglet to these beliefs is both ingenious and very cleverly done. In order to illustrate the points he makes, Hoff uses quotes from Milne and Taoist writers as well as his owned imagined ‘conversations’ with Pooh, Piglet and the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood residents – often with very funny results. If you get a chance, check out the section where Hoff tries to explain the ‘uncarved block’ not only to Pooh but to everyone else and the confusion that results.

In The Tao of Pooh, Hoff argues that Pooh is the best practical demonstration of Taoism, as he simply wanders through life, never changing, but living in harmony with everything around him. In The Te of Piglet, although Pooh features quite heavily, it is Piglet who is the star. Hoff argues that although Piglet maybe small, quiet, timid and perhaps not the bravest animal in the Hundred Acre Wood, he is the personification of Virtue in Taoism. Whereas Pooh just dawdles along, with life happening to him, Piglet realises that perhaps being small and quiet has its advantages.

So what do I think of the Books as a whole. As an introduction to Taoist beliefs and philosophy, they are excellent. Again neither book takes a patronising approach (always a good sign with me) and are both entertaining reads. I do offer one note of caution. The Te of Piglet is the more serious of the two books and at times I did feel that there was a little too much of Hoff’s personal agenda coming through, but apart from that little niggle, both books are excellent, although neither is as good as Counselling for Toads.

If you want to learn something new and have a chuckle at the same time, check these out.