Reviews

This charmingly illustrated picture book recounts the story of a real life bear named Winnie who inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh tales. During World War I, a veterinarian charged with tending horses for the war effort rescued and raised a baby bear who traveled with him, a "Remarkable Bear" who offered friendship and comfort in dark times. Written by the great-granddaughter of veterinarian Harry Coleburn, this picture book is told in a "story within a story" format that offers a touching look at the life of Coleburn and Winnie. Detailed illustrations (done in Chinese watercolor and ink), end pages, and ephemera make the book a visual delight. (The book won the 2016 Caldecott). This book would fit nicely into units about family stories, friendship, and/or a social history look at World War I. Students would greatly enjoy learning about the inspiration behind a character many of them know, Winnie-the-Pooh.

jmitschke's review against another edition

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3.0

Good but not amazing (once again I am not on the same page as the Caldecott committee).

sparksofkell's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

Content Warnings

cartoonrowdy's review against another edition

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5.0

I’d read this to my five year old before, when she was probably three, but having just finished A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books, I thought this was a good time to revisit it. I was once again completely taken by the wonderful true stories and the beautiful artwork (we also love Sophie Blackall’s Hello Lighthouse and it’s artwork). A wonderful story in it’s own right, this book experiences a whole extra level of emotion and depth when paired with the children’s books this bear inspired.

shaundell's review against another edition

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4.0

This is the true story of how Winnie-the-Pooh came to be. A children's non-fiction picture book. We read in conjunction with The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh.

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