Book Review

 

Bibliography-

Mattick, L. (2015). FINDING WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BEAR. (S. Blackall, Ill.). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

ISBN-0316324906


Plot Summary-

 

In this book, Harry Colebourn is a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War

I, who follows his heart and rescues a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his

hometown of Winnipeg, and he ends up taking the bear to war with him. Harry

Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship

and an even more remarkable journey--from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the

ocean to an army base in England and finally to the London Zoo. Winnie then made

another new friend, a real boy named Christopher Robin.


Critical Analysis-

Blackall illustrated the book with Chinese ink and watercolors. Her simple illustrations are matched well with the simple text. The details in the illustrations perfectly match the time period with which the story takes place. The text also has some elements of a fable. The story told in this book through text and pictures is a sweet story that draws you in and presents great stopping points to discuss different topics with students.


Review Excerpts-

Caldecott Award winner

Starred review in Horn Book: “The sum total is as captivating as it is informative, transforming a personal family story into something universally resonant.”

Starred review in Booklist: “Little ones who love Milne's classic stories will be enchanted by this heartening account of the bear's real-life origins."

Starred review in School Library Journal: “A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually.”

 

Connections-

-Map Winnie’s journey by rail, ship, and car. Have students list the names of the locations to which Winnie travelled. Using Google Earth, follow Winnie’s journey so that students get a sense of the distance she travelled from her original home. Add up the miles she traveled and have students create a visual timeline/map.

-After reading the book, read aloud the first chapter of Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne. See what comparisons students can make between these two stories.  

 

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