Picture Book #1 - Finding Winnie: The True Story of the Word's Most Famous Bear

By: Linsday Mattick              Illustrator: Sophie Blackall

Image: www.dailymail.com

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mattick, Lindsay, and Sophie Blackall. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear. New York, 2015: Little Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316324908

PLOT SUMMARY

A mother tells her son the true events of a WWI soldier, Harry Coleburn, buying a baby black bear from a bear trapper. The events that follow will truly capture your heart. Coleburn names his new friend Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, England. He soon finds himself facing the reality of war and leaving Winnie at a zoo.  Although it is a very hard choice for Coleburn, he knows it's the best thing to do. At the zoo, Winnie finds a new friend and a very special friendship just like he had with Harry. They young boy would go on to name his new friend, Winnie-the-Pooh. Later his father wrote about all his adventures with his beloved bear. 

Credit: Lindsay Mattick & Sophie Blackall 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lindsay Mattick does a wonderful job by sharing her family's relationship to the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh bear through the use of a bedtime story. The emotions and feelings come alive as you follow along on her families journey with the infamous bear known as Winnie-the-Pooh. 

Sophie Blackall does an amazing job illustrating Harry Coleburn's and the little boy's journey with Winnie. She can capture feelings and emotions through her beautiful illustrations. For example, as you see the illustration above, the little boy with Winnie-the-Pooh. The happiness, joy, and love of Winnie-the-Pooh and the little boy fill the page and your heart. The image of Harry going off to war, you can see and feel the emotion in the air through Sophie Blackall's illustration of a family gathering at the train station and say goodbye to their loved ones. 

Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall created a beautiful, emotional picture book for all ages. 

Credit: Sophie Blackall 

AWARDS

Caldecott Medal of 2016

Charlotte Zolotow Honor of 2016

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of 2015

Horn Book Fanfare List: Best Books of 2015, Nonfiction

The New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2015, Picture Books

Booklist Best Picture Books of 2015

Booklist Lasting Connections, 2015

ALA Notable Books for Children 2016, Young Readers

New York Public Library's 100 Notable Titles for Reading and Sharing 2015, Children's Books

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, K-2 of 2016

CCBC Choices - Historical People, Places, and Events of 2016

"Strikes a lovely, understated tone of wonder and family." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing...A must-have." - School Library Journal, starred review

CONNECTIONS

Activities to Use With This Book:

*   Research bears; living in zoos vs. living in the wild. Make a Venn diagram.
*   Discuss and share the different examples of compassion shown throughout the book. Make a list,        draw images, and share with the class.
*   Research World War I, soldiers lives, etc.
*   As the teacher reads the picture book, reflect and discuss with students about events in the book,          and have students reflect in their journal by drawing images or writing.
*   Create a book trailer using iMovie or Prezi after students have read the book. Share with the class.

Book Connections:

*   Shushkewich, Val. The Real Winnie: A One-of-a-Kind Bear. ISBN 9781280579196
*   Innes, Stephanie. A Bear In War. ISBN 9781554700974
*  Walker, Sally M. Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
    ISBN  9780805097153
      
* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!