How about Winnie The Pooh?

Emma

Yes, I read Winnie the Pooh when I did my teaching course and we had to take in a piece of writing that 'said something about us.'

Seem to recall it went over quite well except the tutor had to make some point about whether poor old Pooh was 'relevant' or PC for today's children. Yawn.

Amazing I lasted as long as I did really...

Sarah

Sarah, I had the same reaction when I took in The Family from One End Street by Eve Garnett to 'share' when I was doing my PGCE years ago. My very middle-class prof wondered at me for taking something in that 'so patronised the working classes'. What he didn't get and what I couldn't put into words because he'd made me feel stupid, was that when I was a kid any story that related the lives of working class people however patronising, was a bonus in a plethora of stories full of servants and dads at the office and mums in the kitchen etc. Mrs Ruggles had a proper job as a washerwoman so big up to her! I never did get the 'patronising' actually, though prob I would now. What I loved was the atmosphere of times past and Kate who was clever and all those kids - Lily Rose was one, I remember. Also, the illustrations were absolutely spellbinding! I don't think I'll ever re-read it because I'd hate myself if I agreed with my professor!