Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick

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

Bibliography: 

Mattick, L. (2015). Finding Winnie. Little, Brown.

Plot Summary: 

A fictionalized account of Captain Harry Coleburn's relationship with a bear cub in 1914, which he rescued while on his way to care for soldiers' horses during World War I and became the inspiration for A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.

Critical Analysis:

Although it is the true story of Winnie the Pooh, it wasn't the least bit childish or 'dry'. The book is a story within a story--a mother telling a bedtime story to her son. Through her tale, we learn about how a young bear cub travels from Canada to England during WW I and is ultimately placed in the zoo for safekeeping while his soldier/owner/friend goes off to war. Since the cub was raised around people, it has been socialized and soon befriends a frequent zoo visitor, a young boy named Christopher Robin Milne. And with that bit of information, I'm sure you can guess the wonderful connection. The books ending has a warm-hearted twist.

The book contains not only has this delightful, true story but includes actual pictures of people and supporting documents that take this book from storytelling to reality in a way that children can easily understand and accept. I definitely recommend this book well written, interesting, and has a few surprising facts that will inform a few adults as well!

Review Excerpt: 

Booklist Review: Booklist Starred (September 1, 2015 (Vol. 112, No. 1))

"Grades K-2. Mattick’s family ties to Winnie-the-Pooh form the backbone of her cozy debut... Little ones who love A. A. Milne’s classic stories will be enchanted by this heartening account of the bear’s real-life origins."

Connections:

- If you are a fan of the the loving classic by A.A Milne, this would be a great story.

- A Caldecott Winner - 2016

- If you a one to have a curious mindset 

- A great choice to pair with the classic