- What shall I callMy dear little dormouse? His eyes are small,But his tail is e-no^mouse.When We Were Very Young is A. A. Milne"s first book of verses for children, inspired by the nursery games played with his son, Christopher Robin. First published in 1924, they are reproduced here alongside E. H. Shepard"s classic line drawings, which are based on the toys in Christopher Robin"s nursery.