Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

 

              Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear is an informational picture book by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. It tells the story of the real black bear that inspired the famous Winnie the Pooh series by A.A. Milne. The author of the book, Lindsay Mattick, is the great-granddaughter of Harry Coleburn, the man who bought a black bear and named him Winnie after his hometown of Winnipeg. He took the bear with him as he tended to horses during World War I and eventually found him a home at the London Zoo before Coleburn was sent to a station overseas. While Winnie lived a happy life in the zoo, he befriended a young boy named Christopher Robin, whose father decided to write a series for children based on his son’s interactions with the bear.

              I found out about this book after a quick Google search for informational picture books. I found this title on many lists for outstanding nonfiction picture books. It immediately caught my eye because I loved watching Winnie the Pooh when I was growing up. I had no idea that there was a real bear that inspired the stories, so I instantly wanted to know more. I was delighted even further while I was reading when I found out that the author was the great-granddaughter of the man who owned the original Winnie! I’m glad that she’s keeping the story alive, and that the beautiful illustrations were even awarded a Caldecott medal.

              The accuracy of this book is evident. It speaks volumes that the author is the subject’s owner’s great-granddaughter, but it also mentions in her biography in the back of the book that she has been involved in radio documentary and spearheading an exhibition about the story of the real Winnie. She also includes real photographs of her Harry Coleburn and Winnie at the end of the book.

              The author’s choice of writing style is a great touch. She writes the story like she is telling it to her son Cole at bedtime. This creates a cozy feeling for any reader because it’s reminiscent of when our own parents would settle down with us and read us a book before bed. Throughout the story her son Cole also asks questions about what is going on, which is a great representation of what they young readers may be thinking themselves.

              The illustrations by Sophie Blackall are gorgeous as always. I loved her color choice, which were mostly muted, light colors. I thought they fit the cozy feel of the book very nicely. She also included small illustrations of Lindsay and Cole on each page, depicting them in bed as Lindsay told Cole the story. Her art style is simple yet says so much, I look forward to seeing her future work.

              I thought this book was very well done and brings a story to light that not many people may be familiar with. Winnie the Pooh has been beloved for many generations, so it was cool to learn about the origins of the famous bear. Mattick’s choice to tell the story like a bedtime story makes it easy to understand for young readers. I give this book four out of five stars.

Mattick, L., & Blackall, S. (2015, October 20). Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear (1st Edition). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.