Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mattick, L. (2015). Finding Winnie: the story of the real bear that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh (S. Blackall, Ed.). London: Orchard Books. ISBN 9780316324908


PLOT SUMMARY

The story begins introducing Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian during World War I that was enlisted to take care of the military horses. On his journey, he came upon a small bear that he decided to rescue, he named her Winnie after his hometown. Winnie and Colebourn forged a wonderful friendship. Winnie was even considered to part of the army and was beloved by the soldiers as well. Winnie voyages with Colebourn to Canada and sailed through the Atlantic. Though, when the order came that the soldiers would be heading into battle Colebourn made a difficult decision, but one in Winnie's best interest. He took Winnie to the London Zoo. There is where a boy named Christopher Robin fell in love with Winnie too and so one day Christopher’s father created the stories of the world’s most famous bear.



CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is wonderful for children and anyone that has fond memories of Winnie-the Pooh growing up. The beginning of the book makes the reader understand how the author is part of the story. As well as the reference on how Christopher Robin ties into how the Winnie-the-Pooh that many know today came about, was an important part of the plot. It is a lovely picture book that gives you another type of perspective and sense of reality behind the stories many grew up with about this famous bear. This charming picture book comes with magnificent illustrations that give Winnie a realistic version. Many Winnie-the-Pooh books I have come by all have the same pictures of a yellow bear, with a red shirt, and a honey pot by his side. In Mattick’s story we get to see an illustration that would most closely represent a true version of Winnie. I enjoyed seeing the illustrations demonstrate the bond between Colebourn and Winnie. As well as the different expressions as the story progressed. There is an immense set of pictures within the book that one could easily understand what is occurring without reading the text.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Medal (2016)

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Grades K-3 (2017), Shining Willow Award Nominee (2016)

The International Literacy Association (ILA) Children's and Young Adults' Book Award for Primary Nonfiction (2016)

Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor (2016)

Starred Review SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Children everywhere will enjoy this tale for years.”


CONNECTIONS

This story connects to the many stories that we have heard of Winnie-the-Pooh and gives us an origin as to how he came about. If you enjoy reading books based on true events you will like this book. Other books similar to this:

Rabinowitz, Alan. A Boy and a Jaguar. ISBN 9780547875071

Katherine Applegate. Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla. ISBN 9780544252301

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