Book Review
Bibliography-
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.
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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