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Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear (Caldecott Medal Winner) Hardcover – Picture Book, October 20, 2015

by Lindsay Mattick (Author), Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,691 ratings
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A #1 New York Times Bestseller and Winner of the Caldecott Medal about the remarkable true story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.

Harry Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey--from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England...

And finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin.

Before Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. And she was a girl!
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    56 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD590L
  6. Dimensions
    10.2 x 0.6 x 10 inches
  7. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    October 20, 2015
  9. ISBN-10
    0316324906
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0316324908
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

Winnies Great War by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut, art by Sophie Blackall Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall
Winnie's Great War Hello Lighthouse Farmhouse If I Was a Horse
Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
178
4.8 out of 5 stars
1,680
4.9 out of 5 stars
343
4.8 out of 5 stars
46
Price $7.99 $11.99 $13.50 $14.40
Explore the Caldecott Award-winning artwork and timeless stories of Sophie Blackall! An extraordinary wartime adventure seen through the eyes of the world's most beloved bear. Step back in time and through the door of this iconic lighthouse into a cozy dollhouse-like interior. Step inside Farmhouse and relish in the daily life of the family that lives there, rendered in impeccable, thrilling detail. In her funniest book yet, Sophie Blackall captures the astonishing spectacle of a child imagining life as a horse.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—This sweet tale of the black bear that inspired the legendary children's book character Winnie-the-Pooh will resonate with readers. In the framing story, a mother tells her son, Cole, a bedtime tale about how veterinarian Harry Colebourn, a young Canadian soldier on his way to train and fight in Europe during World War I, stumbled upon a baby black bear that he bought off a trapper at a train depot. Colebourn named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, a gentle reminder of his hometown, and took the bear with him to England. Winnie quickly became the mascot of his unit. But when the time came to ship out to France for combat, Colebourn left his beloved pet in the capable hands of the London Zoo. Later, Milne and his son, Christopher Robin, visited the London Zoo and Christopher Robin took an immediate shine to Winnie, developing an unusually strong bond with the animal and even playing with her in her enclosure. The boy imagined all sorts of adventures for Winnie, which became the basis for the now-famous stories written by Milne. Washes of muted colors convey a cozy cheeriness that imbues the book with warmth and comfort, while occasional interjections from young Cole add to the fun. Blackall's characters are rosy-cheeked and expressive, while Winnie is curious and whimsical. A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually. VERDICT Children everywhere will enjoy this tale for years. A must-have.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Review

A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year
Winner of the 2015 Caldecott Medal
Horn Book Fanfare

NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Booklinks Lasting Connections

Bookpage Best Book of the Year

* "The sum total is as captivating as it is informative, transforming a personal family story into something universally resonant."―Horn Book, starred 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 perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually."―School Library Journal, starred review

* "The book strikes a lovely, understated tone of wonder and family pride...[Sophie Blackall] proves that she's equally imaginative at chronicling straight-on reality too."

―Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Gorgeously illustrated...[a] delightful telling"―New York Times Book Review

"[An] inspiring text...Blackall's breathtaking watercolor illustrations demand to be examined up close, and Winnie's face is as expressive as the humans'."―School Library Connection

"This tender tribute will inspire a new generation of Winnie fans—for the books and the historic bear."―BookPage

Praise for Farmhouse:
A 2022 KIRKUS BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK
A 2022 SLJ BEST BOOK
A HORN BOOK FANFARE
A 2022 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK
A 2022 BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK
A 2022 WASHINGTON POST BEST BOOK
A 2022 NYTIMES BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK
AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2022
A 2022 BOOKLIST EDITORS’ CHOICE
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST KIDS’ BOOKS OF 2022
2023 ALSC NOTABLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
2023 CCBC CHILDREN’S CHOICES LIST
2023 BANK ST COLLEGE BEST BOOKS

*"A lovely, tender reimagination of people in a long-past time and place."―Kirkus, starred review

*"A love letter to the joys of country living and family life as well as the importance of treasuring the past and all its stories."―School Library Journal, starred review

*"The tale’s strong sense of place undergirds Blackall’s witness to the way environments change over time and stories survive long after material objects disappear, in a thoughtful, expertly executed work that looks simultaneously forward and back."―Publishers Weekly, starred review

*"Blackall’s illustrations are everything here, incorporating wallpaper, fabrics, and other items scavenged from the house melded together with ink, watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil to create vibrantly layered compositions with a tactile quality."―Horn Book, starred review

* "Genuinely captivating...A meditation on the creative process...Multifaceted and arresting...Irresistible."―Booklist, starred review

“a tender, layered masterpiece that itself deserves to be passed along for generations.”―New York Times

*"A sophisticated, openhearted ode to what truly makes a house a home...Vividly realized...."―BookPage, starred review

Praise for Hello Lighthouse:

A New York Times Bestseller and Caldecott Winner
 
* "Blackall's charmingly old-fashioned art style is beautifully matched to this nostalgia-rich story, which imbues an antiquated place with warmth and wonder."L―Booklist, starred review

* "A delightful bedtime read perfect for one on one sharing."

―School Library Journal, starred review

* "It's a jewel of a creation and a gift to those who dream of retreat."

―Publishers Weekly, starred review

"I will be surprised if a more exquisite picture book will be published this year...Children will be fascinated..."

―New York Times Book Review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First Edition (October 20, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 56 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316324906
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316324908
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD590L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.2 x 0.6 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,691 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Sophie Blackall

    Sophie Blackall

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    Sophie Blackall is a Brooklyn-based Australian artist. She has illustrated over forty-five books for children, including the Ivy and Bean series, and has twice received the Randolph Caldecott Medal, in 2016 for Finding Winnie and in 2019 for Hello Lighthouse. She has also written and illustrated books for grown ups.

    Blackall has collaborated with many notable authors, including Annie Barrows, Kate DiCamillo, Rukhsana Khan, Meg Rosoff and Judith Viorst.

    Her editorial illustrations have appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the New York City MTA and the MoMA Design Store. She has worked internationally with UNICEF and Save the Children as an artist and advocate for global health and literacy initiatives.

    "Blackall, who elevates everything she illustrates, has a knack for using clever details to get the humor across."--Booklist

    "Khan has an ideal collaborator in Sophie Blackall, whose Chinese ink-and-watercolor drawings convey exquisite detail and precise emotion. Like all the best picture books, "Big Red Lollipop" amply rewards close examination." - New York Times

    "One of the best picture-book artists around, Blackall offers winsome art that is interesting in its use of perspective, perceptive in its depiction of family dynamics, and just plain adorable in its effort to make ferrets fetching. This is a book that's clever in every sense of the word: skillful, original, and witty." -Booklist

    See more on the author's page
  2. Lindsay Mattick

    Lindsay Mattick

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
1,691 global ratings
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5 Stars
Great Book!
I needed to do a project for my grade level and this book was perfect. Loved the story line behind it and how cute this book is.Read it! You will love it too!
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Top reviews from the United States

James R Jerwers
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute, well written, TRUE Story
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024
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A real eye opener for thoes who think Disney created Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin. This cute narative was created by the grand daughter of the Canadian WWI Army Vetenarian who rescued Winnie and donated her to the London Zoo.
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Katy Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars!
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2016
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Winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal, “Finding Winnie” is an exemplary and distinguished picture book for more than Sophie Blackalls’ stunning watercolor illustrations which so accurately place the reader in the setting, incorporating them as a being within the plot. These artistically excellent illustrations are a magnificent work on their own, however, when paired with the story behind the World’s most-loved Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, this story is sure to grab all readers (children or adults) attention and hearts remarkably and deservedly fast. Together, author Lindsay Mattick and illustrator Sophie Blackall composed a true tale surrounded by stunning representational watercolor illustrations and filled with peritextual features, beautifully used design elements, and synergy that triggers universal emotions and pulls the heart strings of every reader.
Focusing on the illustrations role in the peritextual features, when viewing the opening of this book the viewer is instantly drawn into the journey by the initial full-bleed double spread that provides a glimpse into the woods that contain the adventures ahead. Both the author and the illustrator provide dedications that are short and sweet yet still encompass the importance of the very action behind the origin of Winnie-the-Pooh by stressing the “impact that one small, loving gesture can have” (L.M. Dedication). This meaning becomes clearer after reading the story; with out the loving gesture of main character, veterinarian Harry Colebourn who buys the bear cub from a trapper, there would have been no Winnie-the-Pooh to fill children’s minds with enchanted stories for years to come.
The design elements in this story are extremely varied, making it appealing to practically any viewer. As the story begins as a narrative told hundred years after the time of Harry Colebourn to a his great grandson, a boy named Cole, Mattick and Blackall exemplify what is the present and past in a clear and innovative way, utilizing italics and pencil sketches in order to indicate what is the bedtime conversation between Cole and his mother and what is the tale of Harry Colebourn’s finding Winnie. Just when one is becoming lost in the past tale which takes place during WWII, Mattick incorporates mid-text interjections from Cole asking relevant questions that bring the reader back to this being a bedtime narrative shared between mother and son. The text is placed in such a way that it separates individual scenes being depicted, making the story easy to follow. The composition is continuous with the use of patterns in soft washes and realistic landscape sketches throughout the picture book. Blackall utilizes continuous narration and illustrational sequence which provide the reader with a sense that they are partaking in the journey of hearing Harry Colebourn’s story along with Cole. As the story progresses from Harry Colebourn’s home of Winnipeg to Valcartier, Canada and then to Salisbury Plain, England and finally ending at London Zoo, the reader sees notable landmarks depicted in the background such as the Stonehenge of England, allowing for prime opportunities to teach about such locations.
The illustrations combine with the text with such synergy due to Blackall’s use of color and wash accurately depicting and portraying Mattick’s words, allowing the reader to really understand and feel a part of the scenes and events. As the story of Harry Colebourn and his bear cub Winnie winds to a close with Harry’s being sent to France to help with horses in the War, the illustrations display the hardship of War in a way that is accurate yet careful(this is a bedtime story after all) by utilizing bright hues and washes unlike that of the rest of the book. With Harry’s leaving, he relinquishes Winnie to the London Zoo where she is visited by a young boy named Christopher Robin. The bond between Christopher Robin and Winnie grows to be one similar to what Winnie shared with Harry Colebourn. Christopher Robin names his stuffed bear, whom he had owned for the entirety of his life but had remained unnamed: Winnie-The-Pooh. Here, the real-life story of Winnie-the-Pooh began as Christopher Robin’s father, Alan Alexander Milne, started writing stories about Christopher Robin’s and Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures that they had together in their back woods.
Together, Mattick and Blackall have put together a story that is guaranteed to resonate and stay with the reader long after the initial time through. The book ends with fascinating war-time pictures and notebook passages that provide evidence to prove the story of Harry Colebourn and Winnie. Key details stand out when re-reading that one would not notice the first time through, such as the album in Cole’s bedroom on the first page being the same as the story’s ending page. This not only reiterates Mattick’s own truth that this is a family story passed down through generations, it also is an example of the keen attention to detail that Blackall paid to Mattick’s words and used through out the story in her illustrations. With the utilization of peritextual features, key design elements, and synergy through out the story, “Finding Winnie” is a picture book that adds a heartwarming background and origin to the adored character of Winnie-the-Pooh.
5 people found this helpful
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Martha
5.0 out of 5 stars Historically acurate, well done!
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
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This is a darling book for all those who love Winnie the Pooh. It tells the TRUE story of the origin of the fictitious bear we all love. Well done! I especially like the end where it gives actual photos and time frame of events that led up to the writing of the Winnie the Pooh stories.
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liz hellams
5.0 out of 5 stars The story of the real Winnie the Pooh
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
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Parents and caregivers, don’t expect to make it through this book with dry eyes the first time you read it. The story is fascinating, moving, and so sweet. It is one we re-read often, a true favorite in our house. It’s a hit with my 3yo even though she has not been into Winnie the Pooh series…actually I think she has become more interested in WTP after reading this book!
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Briana Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
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What a lovely true story, and the historical photos are an excellent personal touch!
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Denise White
5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Winnie
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
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Love the book. Easy read for children and a good story.
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Vicky Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
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I needed to do a project for my grade level and this book was perfect. Loved the story line behind it and how cute this book is.
Read it! You will love it too!
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Vicky Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
I needed to do a project for my grade level and this book was perfect. Loved the story line behind it and how cute this book is.
Read it! You will love it too!
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One person found this helpful
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SheShe
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
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Book is the true story of how Winnie the Pooh came to be. It included actual notes/mementos from the bears life. Great story/lovely book.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amanda W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely family read
Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2024
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My kids and I love this story. History lesson and helps them appreciate Winnie the poohs legacy
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みみずく
5.0 out of 5 stars とても良かった
Reviewed in Japan on June 13, 2018
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Winnie the Poohは、様々な人々の愛の積み重ねで誕生した物語だとわかりました。
絵本としてもよい構成です。絵もすばらしい。
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JuliaF
5.0 out of 5 stars My wife loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2016
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Excellent book, great record. Glad I got it as a Christmas present. It was just as advertised and as I expected. Delivery on time too, well packed
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Heather
5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth about Winnie the Pooh
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is truly amazing. Pooh bear is so incredible and this book sure shows it. The graphics in the book are spectacular.
I had an issue with shipping but amazon is so amazing, the fixed the problem the next day. Thank you and great 👍 Job Amazon. And AAAAAAAA+++++++++ To the creator.
Thank you so much. I will cherish it for the rest of my life.
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Mrs L Tidmarsh
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2016
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absolutely wonderful story and a beautiful book for my grown up daughter who is is a huge Winnie the Pooh fan as am I.
One person found this helpful
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