The Atlantic has a nice slide show about the inspiration for children’s books.

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/01/the-unexpected-inspirations-behind-beloved-childrens-books/251643/#slide7

If he were still alive, Alan Alexander Milne—you may know him as A. A. Milne—would have turned 130 years old yesterday. If you’re a fan of Milne’s books, you probably know that you can go and see the original teddy bear that inspired the character of Winnie-the-Pooh if you visit the New York Public Library—it’s on display there along with a selection of other similar stuffed toys that inspired Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet.