Image courtesy of Little,
Brown and Company
Bibliography
Mattick, Lindsay, illustrated
by Sophie Blackall. Finding Winnie, The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. New York: Little,
Brown and Company, 2015. ISBN 9780316324908
Plot Summary
It is story time for
Cole, and we have the chance to sit in and learn about his great-great-grandfather.
Even though veterinarian, Captain Harry Colebourn is on his way to fight in
World War I, he buys Winnie as a cub to rescue him from a trapper. Winnie
becomes a regular member of the troop, traveling by train and ship to England
and living with the soldiers as they train for combat. As the troop enters
active combat, Harry takes Winnie to the London Zoo where he sadly says
good-bye to Winnie. Fortunately, Winnie meets Christopher Robin who loves to
visit and play with him. In fact, Christopher Robin likes Winnie so much he has
pretend adventures in the woods around his house with his stuffed bear he names
Winnie the Pooh. Christopher’s
father, A.A. Milne writes stores featuring his son’s adventures with Winnie
setting the bear on a course of fame.
Critical Analysis
In Finding Winnie, The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear, beautifully
detailed, color illustrations take the reader back in time to experience how
Winnie the Pooh got his start in history. Indeed, the images propel the reader
through the plot by portraying the action throughout. A favorite image of mine
is Winnie at the head of a huge ship leading the way to England, as thirty
ships carried military personnel, horses, equipment, vehicles, and munitions
overseas.
Lindsay Mattick does a
fabulous job writing this story. One unique feature of this story is her focus
on Harry’s pensive decision making. Through description and Blackall’s
brilliant graphics, the reader views his careful thought process at each
decision. Colorful dialogue is integrated such as, “…a tin of fish, and some slop
in a dish,” as the army cheerfully cares for Winnie. This true story is
represented with historical accuracy. And enough cannot be said for Sophie
Blackall’s extremely detailed artwork completely intertwined in the events of
the story.
The story of Winnie the
Pooh is an amazing one. It’s a great experience to become acquainted with
Captain Harry Colebourn’s story. Readers of all ages can appreciate these
connections to their beloved Winnie. Themes of how one’s actions affect many
can be discovered in the book as Harry’s care for a trapped bear leads to great
happiness for one little boy, and in turn for millions of readers of Winnie the Pooh.
Review
Excerpts
2016 Caldecott Medal
From Kirkus Reviews: “Blackall’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations have a peaceful
stillness that’s welcome in a book that, though not about combat, concerns the
trappings of war.”
From Publisher’s Weekly: “It also
suits Blackall to a T. While her work usually has a strong streak of fantasy,
or at least ethereal otherworldliness, she proves that she’s equally
imaginative at chronicling straight-on reality, too.”
From School
Library Journal: “Blackall also includes little visual details that reward
multiple readings.”
From Booklist:
“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
Use in an art class for
a model of illustrating history. Ask children to model historical events in history.
Also show illustrations in graphic novels of Nathan Hale’s history series.
Gather this and other resources
for children doing author/illustrator studies.
- · Borden, Louise. The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey. ISBN 978054741746
- Lester, Helen. Author: A True Story. ISBN 9780618260102
- Online biography of Dr. Seuss: http://www.seussville.com/activities/AllAboutSeuss_BOYONFAIRFIELDSTREET_0.pdf
- · Scholastic’s list of author biographies for children: http://www.scholastic.com/teacher/ab/biolist.htm
Pair with Winnie the
Pooh stories.
- · Milne, A. A. The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh. ISBN 9780525457237
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