Finding Winnie - Hardcover

Mattick, Lindsay

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 144342918X ISBN 13: 9781443429184

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2015

Synopsis

The remarkable true story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

During World War I, Captain Harry Colebourn, a Canadian veterinarian on his way to serve with cavalry units in Europe, rescued a bear cub in White River, Ontario. He named the bear Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.

Harry Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter Lindsay Mattick recounts their incredible journey, from a northern Canadian town to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England . . . and finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made a new friend: a boy named Christopher Robin.

Gentle yet haunting illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Sophie Blackall bring the wartime era to life, and are complemented by photographs and ephemera from the Colebourn family archives.

About this title

About the Author

LINDSAY MATTICK is the great-granddaughter of Captain Harry Colebourn. She has been sharing Winnie’s story through radio, film, book and museum exhibitions. She lives with her family in Toronto.

JOSH GREENHUT is a writer and researcher. He is the author of more than fifteen children’s books, including some in the Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures series. He lives with his family in Toronto.

SOPHIE BLACKALL is a bestselling, Caldecott Medal–winning artist whose books include Finding Winnie and Hello, Lighthouse. She lives with her family in Brooklyn.

 

Sophie Blackall is the illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, including Finding Winnie, for which she received the Caldecott Medal, one of the most prestigious children’s book awards in the world. Her artwork has also appeared in murals as part of the New York City MTA’s “Arts for Transit” program. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—This sweet tale of the black bear that inspired the legendary children's book character Winnie-the-Pooh will resonate with readers. In the framing story, a mother tells her son, Cole, a bedtime tale about how veterinarian Harry Colebourn, a young Canadian soldier on his way to train and fight in Europe during World War I, stumbled upon a baby black bear that he bought off a trapper at a train depot. Colebourn named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, a gentle reminder of his hometown, and took the bear with him to England. Winnie quickly became the mascot of his unit. But when the time came to ship out to France for combat, Colebourn left his beloved pet in the capable hands of the London Zoo. Later, Milne and his son, Christopher Robin, visited the London Zoo and Christopher Robin took an immediate shine to Winnie, developing an unusually strong bond with the animal and even playing with her in her enclosure. The boy imagined all sorts of adventures for Winnie, which became the basis for the now-famous stories written by Milne. Washes of muted colors convey a cozy cheeriness that imbues the book with warmth and comfort, while occasional interjections from young Cole add to the fun. Blackall's characters are rosy-cheeked and expressive, while Winnie is curious and whimsical. 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. VERDICT Children everywhere will enjoy this tale for years. A must-have.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 144342918X
• ISBN 13: 9781443429184
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 56
• Illustrator: Blackall Sophie