A review by mlejmeyer
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick

4.0

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.