Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and Illustrated by Sophie Blackall


1.     Bibliography

Mattick, Lindsay, and Sophie Blackall. Finding Winnie: the true story of the worlds most famous bear. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2015.

ISBN 9781518115912

2.     Plot Summary

This true to life story unfolds in two parts as a mom recounts these two stories to her son at bedtime. The first part takes place during World War I in Canada. One of the principal characters in part one is named Harry Coleburn. Harry Coleburn is a veterinarian who was deployed overseas to care for the soldier’s horses. As he makes his way to England he comes into contact with a little bear he names Winnie. The story unfolds as the mom tells of Coleburn’s adventures with this little bear. As part two commences, the reader learns (at the same time as the little boy) the origin of the beloved orange bear.

3.     Critical Analysis

The reader is instantly made to fall in love with the adorable resilient bear as the two-part story unfolds. An interesting touch the author includes is that the reader is in the same seat as the little boy, hearing the two-part story. The author does a wonderful job of explaining the historical setting and the War, while not making it too heavy for a young reader. The story wraps up nicely as the mother explains the origin of the beloved Winnie the Pooh characters and the boy owner of this bear Christopher Robin. Several messages and “morals of the story” resonate in this book, but the message of “one door closing so another one can open” was particularly meaningful. The reader is given a slight surprise at the end when more information is given about the mother and the little boy!

This Caldecott Medal-winning book was illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Blackall used a combination of Chinese ink and watercolors. The soft look of the beautiful illustrations pairs wonderfully with the story. From the images of the soldier's encampment to the boats swaying on the sea, to the bear saying goodbye to Coleburn at the zoo, and finally to the real-life Christopher Robin and the bear Winnie, the emotion and realness of this story is brought to life in a particularly aesthetically pleasing way. Another fun touch is the inclusion of several photographs of the Milne family and the real Winnie.

4.     Review Excerpts

2016  Caldecott Metal

From The Horn Book reviewer Thom Barthelmess: “[Finding Winnie] is as captivating as it is informative, transforming a personal family story into something universally resonant.”
From The School Library Journal reviewer Elizabeth Bird: “For bear enthusiasts, Winnie enthusiasts, history lovers, and just plain old folks who like a good story.  In short, for silly old bears.”


From Publisher’s Weekly: “Framed as a bedtime story that Mattick tells her toddler son, Cole … the book strikes a lovely, understated tone of wonder and family pride.

5.     Connections

Other books explaining the origin of Winnie the Pooh

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
By Sally M. Walker
Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss
ISBN: 978-0805097153

Other books about animals during World War I

Stubby the War Dog
The True Story of World War I's Bravest Dog
by Ann Bausum
ISBN: 978-1-4263-14865

Midnight: A True Story of Loyalty in World War I
by Mark Greenwood, Frané Lessac
ISBN: 9780763674663

This story could be used as an introduction to Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, or World War I.


This could also be used as an addition to a unit about family and the importance of genealogy and sharing our family’s stories.

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