King John's Christmas

Story

King John is not a good man and has few friends. He writes to Father Christmas requesting a long list of presents. Then, fearing he has been too greedy, he humbly asks just for a ‘big, red india-rubber ball’. Eventually, to his delight, his wish is granted.

Why we chose it

For many adult readers Milne’s poems evoke happy memories of childhood. Young children sympathise with King John’s longing for presents and then his fear that he might have been too unfriendly or asked for too much. With its gentle humour, repetitions and gathering rhythm, King John’s Christmas is fun to read aloud and join in with.

Where it came from

Alan Alexander Milne was a successful novelist, playwright and writer for Punch magazine. He began writing for children after his son, Christopher Robin, was born.

Now We Are Six was his second collection of poems, illustrated by artist and Punch cartoonist E. H. Shepard. Several of the poems feature Christopher Robin, now six. Others, like King John’s Christmas, are funny verses with no biographical significance.

Where it went next

Milne’s verse collections were immediately popular and have remained in print for nearly a century.

His distinctive humour and turns of phrase continue to echo through the work of much-loved modern writers from children’s author Katherine Rundell to screen writer Richard Curtis.

Associated stories

Milne’s first volume of poetry When We Were Very Young was published in 1924.

His two Winnie the Pooh storybooks, Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, followed in 1926 and 1928.