Finding Winnie (Review by Leighanne Massey)
Bibliography
Mattick, Lindsay. Finding Winnie The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear. New York: Little Brown and Company, 2015. ISBN 9780316324908
Plot Summary
Finding Winnie is the story about the beginning concept of the classic character Winnie-the-Pooh. It all begins when a little boy named Cole asks his mother to tell him a real story about a bear at bedtime.
Carefully narrated, Cole's mother begins the story about a man named Harry who was once a gifted veterinarian for animals in his hometown. Harry hears about a war across the ocean and decides to help by taking care of the horses on the front line. Through the inquisitive eyes of little Cole and the series of events accounted by his mother, the reader is taken on Harry's journey to when he first met an extraordinary bear cub.
Carefully narrated, Cole's mother begins the story about a man named Harry who was once a gifted veterinarian for animals in his hometown. Harry hears about a war across the ocean and decides to help by taking care of the horses on the front line. Through the inquisitive eyes of little Cole and the series of events accounted by his mother, the reader is taken on Harry's journey to when he first met an extraordinary bear cub.
This extraordinary bear is given the name of Winnie based on Harry's home of Winnipeg. Winnie's story seems to take take flight as she becomes a staple to Harry and his traveling regiment. Will Winnie stay with the men? Will it be safe for her? When it comes time for Harry to care for the injured horses near the front, he is confronted by the same concerning questions in his mind. He ultimately decides a battleground is not safe for a baby bear. Shortly after, Winnie finds herself in a new home in the London zoo where the second part of her story begins with a boy named Christopher.
Critical Analysis
As the first page is turned, the reader is placed in the role of a little boy named Cole impatiently awaiting the same question;"Could you tell me a story?" Carefully and in a logical series of events, a unique story unfolds from Cole's mother.
With consistent childlike clarification, the story begins on a train with a veterinarian named Harry who is traveling to help injured horses on the front line of World War 1. Heartstrings are tugged when Harry stumbles upon a baby bear at a train stop. The reader struggles alongside Harry when determining what to do about the situation and rejoicing when the bear is given a name and a home.
It is through the revealing and richly detailed illustrations that Winnie takes form and the reader learns Harry's story takes place in the past. With the characters' attire portrayed true to the time period, it is like taking a step back in time. As the story progresses in a purposeful pace, the meaning of the narrator's careful emotion-filled pages and storytelling is felt. At last, the truth of Winnie-the-Pooh's creation is realized.
With consistent childlike clarification, the story begins on a train with a veterinarian named Harry who is traveling to help injured horses on the front line of World War 1. Heartstrings are tugged when Harry stumbles upon a baby bear at a train stop. The reader struggles alongside Harry when determining what to do about the situation and rejoicing when the bear is given a name and a home.
It is through the revealing and richly detailed illustrations that Winnie takes form and the reader learns Harry's story takes place in the past. With the characters' attire portrayed true to the time period, it is like taking a step back in time. As the story progresses in a purposeful pace, the meaning of the narrator's careful emotion-filled pages and storytelling is felt. At last, the truth of Winnie-the-Pooh's creation is realized.
Review Excerpt(s)
A #1 New York Times Bestseller and Winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal
A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year
—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
"Gorgeously illustrated...[a] delightful telling"—New York Times
Book Review
*"Little ones who love Milne's classic stories will be enchanted by this heartening account of the bear's real-life origins."—Booklist (Starred Review)
A #1 New York Times Bestseller and Winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal
A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year
—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
"Gorgeously illustrated...[a] delightful telling"—New York Times
Book Review
*"Little ones who love Milne's classic stories will be enchanted by this heartening account of the bear's real-life origins."—Booklist (Starred Review)
Connection
Other Caldecott books to check out:
- Klassen, Jon. This Is Not My Hat. ISBN 9780763655990
- Raschka, Chris. A Ball for Daisy. ISBN 9780375858611
- Santat, Dan. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. ISBN 9780316199988
Finding Winnie could be used as an introduction to World War 1 and a research project into what other animals helped in war efforts (History).
Students can compare/contrast Harry and Christopher Robin's relationship with Winnie the bear.
Finding Winnie could also be used as an introduction to elements of genre study. Students can brainstorm characteristics of non-fiction.
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