Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne - Story Snug

Dec 22nd: Anne Booth chooses King John’s Christmas from Now We Are Six

I would like to propose one poem from the book by A.A. Milne ‘Now we are Six’.

King John’s Christmas’.

Why is this your favourite Christmas poem?

I love the wit and pathos of this poem – we find ourselves in sympathy with King John even though he was ‘not a good man’ – which I think is a very good thing – and A.A. Milne is so great at rhyme!

Can you describe a favourite illustration or give a favourite quote from the story and tell us why you chose it?

My favourite line – well – I love ALL this poem – but this line is so funny and poignant at the same time so I know it by heart (I hope) and think it is perfect:

‘And round about December, the cards upon his shelf, which wished him lots of Christmas cheer, and fortune in the coming year, were never from his near and dear, but always from himself.’

It is possible I have misquoted as I can’t find my copy of ‘Now We are Six’- which is why I may ask Father Christmas for another copy of this wonderful book, with the great illustrations by E.H. Shepard.

Author: A. A. Milne / Illustrator: E.H. Shepard

About Anne

Anne Booth - Story Snug

Anne Booth lives in a village in Kent with her husband and their four teenagers and two dogs. She loves reading and writing children’s books and has had six published since her first, Waterstone’s shortlisted, ‘Girl with a White Dog’ (Catnip) in 2014. ‘Lucy’s Secret Reindeer’ and ‘Lucy’s Magic Snowglobe’ for 5-8 year olds were published by O.U.P in 2014 and 2015, with a third Lucy book due October 2016. Catnip published another book for 9-12 year olds, ‘Dog Ears’ (Catnip) in 2015, with some small illustrations by Anne in it. In 2015 two picture books ‘ ‘The Fairiest Fairy’ with illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw, and ‘Refuge’ with Sam Usher (Nosy Crow) were published, with another picture book for Nosy Crow: ‘The Christmas Fairy’ due in 2016. Anne’s agent is Anne Clark.

Anne’s Blog / Twitter

What book am I going to ask for this Christmas?

Well. ‘Now we are Six’ by A.A. Milne I think – as it is so frustrating not finding my own copy!

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One response to “Dec 22nd: Anne Booth chooses King John’s Christmas from Now We Are Six”


  1. Catherine avatar

    Thank you so much for joining us on Story Snug’s Advent Calendar Anne. Reading your choice of Christmas poem brought back lots of childhood memories 🙂