Finding Winnie

Written by Lindsay Mattick · Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

A boy hears the true story of a veterinarian who adopts a bear cub and names her Winnie during World War I.

5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 10,874 ratings

56 pages· 1,514 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud· AD590L

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1914, veterinarian Harry Colebourn rescues a baby bear, naming her Winnie. Their journey spans continents, from Canada to England, amidst the backdrop of World War I. At the London Zoo, Winnie meets a boy named Christopher Robin, sparking a legendary tale. Explore the heartwarming true story behind the beloved bear, Winnie-the-Pooh.

From the publisher

Before Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. 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. Here is the remarkable true story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.

Awards

Caldecott Medal (2016)Charlotte Zolotow Honor (2016)

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 56
Words: 1,514
Reading age: 3–6
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD590L

Themes & topics

Books about bears Books about books and libraries Books about 1900-1949 Books about culture Books about Canada

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.3

out of 7

4.0

“Finding Winnie is a surprisingly interesting book about where the name for Winnie the Pooh comes from. The entire story was brand new for me. I don't think children will appreciate the book or finding it as interesting as adults might, but it's fun, if a little sad, to learn the story about the real bear named Winnie. The book includes some interesting facts about World War I and also includes illustrations of recovered soldiers, including an amputee. It's a worthwhile read, but not likely a book that young readers will be interested in re-reading often.”

Lemony Snickers

Trusted reviewer

The illustrator