The internal arrangement of Winnie the Pooh's furniture changes quite regularly, allowing the designer welcome flexibility. Christopher Robin's renowned map of the Hundred Acre Wood is accordingly displayed on the wall, featuring multiple recognisable locations. Pooh's teapot and teacup are placed underneath, atop a wooden cabinet with satisfying texture. Reddish brown and dark brown pieces have traditionally been used to construct LEGO trees, including on Ben Alder's initial Ideas submission. The model designer, Ilia Gotlib, has instead employed medium nougat and dark tan pieces, brightening the entire structure. This decision has certainly proven successful in my opinion, especially since several pieces are provided in medium nougat for the first time! Autumnal colours adorn the roof, which consists of layered 1x1 slopes and 1x2 slopes. Their varying shades look outstanding together, interrupted by scattered leaves which appear quite realistic. I like the twisted chimney that protrudes from the roof as well, faithfully recreating the original location where this conspicuous structure invariably appears. Eeyore's hair features wonderful texture and matching texture appears on his tail. There is an attachment point for a small accessory here and a magenta bow is provided, further reflecting the source material. Unfortunately, the nail that conventionally secures Eeyore's tail is missing, although his seated stance is good and allows this figure to connect to studded surfaces. Winnie the Pooh instead exhibits superb details, focusing upon Pooh's charming house and maintaining tremendous accuracy when compared with the animated location. Additionally, five memorable characters are provided and these appear absolutely marvellous, comprising several uniquely moulded components. Box and Contents

Myriad innovative building techniques have been employed when designing trees, frequently including small flowers or leaves decorating larger foliage elements. This tree exhibits similar construction methods, albeit comprising bright green coral pieces in place of standard foliage. While the texture appears somewhat unusual, I think this effect looks fantastic! Moreover, the coral elements include numerous attachment points which remain vacant, allowing additional options for customisation. However, light bluish grey elements do remain exposed where the leaves are attached. They certainly stand out among the consistent dark tan and medium shades which is disappointing, although these ball joints have always been restricted to certain colours. Hinges are available with broader colour variation and could perhaps have been used instead. These ball joints do provide firm connections though. Bright colours appear throughout this model, hence the grass is constructed using lime green and bright green plates. However, the rounded tuffets which flank Pooh's home feature darker green pieces and the resulting spectrum of different shades looks wonderful. Furthermore, the integration of angled leaves with mushrooms provides additional splashes of colour and these appear suitably natural. Winnie the Pooh's house has remained remarkably consistent in appearance between varied illustrated, animated and live-action depictions. This design seems accordingly accurate while also including copious features which are identifiable with specific stories. The impressive tree stretches nearly 25cm in height and its base measures 21cm deep, although such dimensions do not reflect the magnificent detail that distinguishes this creation from others. Additionally, the instruction manual includes some information about the Hundred Acre Wood beside character profiles for its residents. Christopher Robin's map of the forest also appears, corresponding precisely with its depiction during the Disney animations. However, this design draws attention to the absence of Owl, Kanga, Roo and Christopher Robin himself.

Alana \ Anna \ Ariel \ Aurora \ Beast \ Belle \ Bruno \ Chef Bouche \ Chip Potts \ Cinderella \ Cogsworth \ Daisy \ Dreamy \ Elsa \ Fifi \ Flounder \ Flynn Rider \ Jasmine \ Kristoff \ Lucifer \ Lumière \ Maximus \ Merida \ Merryweather \ Mrs. Potts \ Olaf \ Pascal \ Prince Charming \ Prince Eric \ Pumpkin \ Rajah \ Rapunzel \ Raya \ Sebastian \ Snow White \ Snowgie \ Sven \ Treasure \ Triplet Bear Cubs \ Wardrobe \ Windflower

And on the subject of the bee's nests, they're portrayed as hives like this in Piglet's Big Movie, and in one scene of the 2011 movie... although I've read that the nests inside the tree, like you describe, are indeed a more realistic depiction. Still, though, this appearance of them isn't unprecedented in the Winnie the Pooh franchise

Rating

Winnie the Pooh and other characters can enter through the front door, naturally. Fortunately, easier access is available from behind after opening the house, as demonstrated below. This simple function is seamlessly integrated and reveals multiple enjoyable features, maintaining outstanding accuracy. In addition, I appreciate the contrast between vivid interior colours and earthier colours outside. A-Frame Cabin | 21339 BTS Dynamite | 21340 Tales of the Space Age | 21341 Disney Hocus Pocus: The Sanderson Sisters' Cottage | 21342 The Insect Collection | 21343 Viking Village | 21344 The Orient Express Train Each minifigure includes an appropriate accessory, making reference to their most renowned adventures. Pooh therefore features his balloon that originates from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, when the eponymous bear memorably disguised himself as a rain cloud! Piglet's scarf, meanwhile, takes inspiration from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. The colour for each accessory deviates from the original animations though.

TBA Dragon's Keep: Journey's End | TBA Red London Telephone Box | TBA The Nightmare Before Christmas | TBA Jaws | TBA Cat | TBA Reading, Reading and Reading | TBA Disney Magic LEGO Winnie the Pooh was launched alongside the appealing Star Wars range during 1999 and numerous DUPLO sets have followed, including various residents from the Hundred Acre Wood with simple models. Naturally, these have been designed for younger builders. Piglet does include shorter legs than his friends, reflecting their relative sizes. The mixture of differing pink shades is brilliant here, continuing across this minifigure and therefore matching the onscreen character. The specialised head also features splendid detail which corresponds with the source material, incorporating Piglet's prominent snout and ears.However, the most recognisable aspect of Pooh's house is undoubtedly the front door and its design looks absolutely perfect here! This reddish brown door frame is neatly recessed within the tree trunk and its comparatively dark colour definitely stands out. The 1x1 bows which are positioned beside the entrance are somewhat awkward though, appearing fairly uniform. Two beehives are located among the branches. These nests are commonly portrayed inside trees during Winnie the Pooh animations, rather than hanging outside, but I believe using the dedicated beehive component was sensible here. Printed bees are suspended beneath these hives and represented by 1x1 round tiles. Their comic style restricts uses elsewhere, although they look absolutely ideal for Winnie the Pooh.