Winnie's Great War

by Lindsay Mattick, Josh Greenhut, Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)

From the creative team behind the bestselling, Caldecott Medal--winning Finding Winnie comes an extraordinary wartime adventure seen through the eyes of the world's most beloved bear.

Here is a heartwarming imagining of the real journey undertaken by the extraordinary bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. From her early days with her mama in the Canadian forest, to her remarkable travels with the Veterinary Corps across the country and overseas, and all the way to the London Zoo where she met Christopher Robin Milne and inspired the creation of the world's most famous bear, Winnie is on a great war adventure.

This beautifully told story is a triumphant blending of deep research and magnificent imagination. Infused with Sophie Blackall's irresistible renderings of an endearing bear, the book is also woven through with entries from Captain Harry Colebourn's real wartime diaries and contains a selection of artifacts from the Colebourn Family Archives. The result is a one-of-a-kind exploration into the realities of war, the meaning of courage, and the indelible power of friendship, all told through the historic adventures of one extraordinary bear.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Animals, Childrens, Historical, World War I

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2019

About the author

Lindsay Mattick is the author of Finding Winnie, a new picture book which explores her family’s unique connection to the world’s most famous bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. Born in Winnipeg, Lindsay spent her summer days collecting lucky stones on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, finding adventures in her red wagon. As the great-granddaughter of Captain Harry Colebourn, Lindsay grew up thinking of Winnie as her own ‘great-grandbear’. She has shared her family’s story as a radio documentary, spearheaded an original exhibition, and participated in Canada’s National Arts Council UK tour to commemorate WWI. After working in public relations for over a decade crafting other peoples stories, Lindsay is very excited to share one of her own. Today, she is likely still found with sand between her toes on the beaches of Toronto, her son Cole in tow, in his own Radio Flyer. Finding Winnie is Lindsay’s latest adventure and proof that dreams come true.

Reviews

[Anna Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brb. Going to get the Winnie-the-Pooh tattoo I've wanted since childhood.

[Caitlin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much more than a children’s story—it’s a timeless classic to be cherished by all ages. This story was beautiful and moving and touching on so many levels. Loved it and highly recommend! 🥲💛

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book thinking it would be a cute children’s story, but it was so much more than that. I didn’t anticipate the depth and beauty it would actually bring.

Told in similar fashion to Goldman’s The Princes Bride, Mattick serves as the narrator to her son, Cole, telling him the true story of ‘his’ bear.

Winnie’s Great War is about a real life black bear that goes to the First World War under Harry Coldbourn’s charge (Mattick’s great-grandfather). She becomes the mascot for the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade, being a symbol of hope and joy in a war-torn world. And as the story progresses, that is made even more evident.

Winnie isn’t an ordinary bear, and the way Mattick conveys that, along with Winnie’s character growth, is so moving.

And the end? When we see how Winnie inspired Winnie-the-Pooh… I lost it. What a wonderful and beautiful tale.

In short, I cried within the first 10 pages and then cried within the last 10. I’m not kidding when I say this is one of the best books I’ve ever read 😭 and for only 99 cents! I’m happy to have this sitting on my shelf of all time favorites 💛

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered how the most beloved children's book character, Winnie the Pooh, came to be? She was an actual bear from Winnipeg, Canada who was adopted by a WWI veterinary soldier named Henry Colebourn. This sweet and very biographical tale is told from the author's POV, who happens to be the great-granddaughter of Colebourn. A wonderful companion story to Mattick's first picture book Finding Winnie.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the cover first and then with the story of Winnipeg, the bear who inspired Winnie the Pooh. This book begins when Winnie was yet to be named and lives with her mother in the forest. Before dying the mother bear admonishes Winnie to be brave. As we see Winnie's story we see her not only being brave, but rising above her circumstances to make others around her feel better. What a beautiful goal to have in life. Thank you for that lesson, Winnie!

I received a digital ARC of this book from HarperCollins and Edelweiss.

[Almira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's "easy" book on how Winnie the Pooh came to be.

Lindsay Mattick is the great-granddaughter of Harry Colebourn, who "rescued" Winnipeg Winnie at a train station on Dec. 9, 1914. With family photos and papers from her great-grand father, Lindsay has written a delightful story around Winnie and Lt. Harry Colebourn as his Canadian unit travels to England to take part in the Great War.

The story starts in the forest not far from Winnipeg - Winnie is just a cub, and is able to "talk" to all the other animals in the forest. Left an orphan, the trapper takes Winnie home with him, after being "badgered" by his grandson, but Winnie causes disruption in the household, so the trapper takes Winnie to the train station and sells her to Harry, and so their adventure begins.

I "loved" that the author is telling Winnie's story to her son, when they are having a conversation the print goes to italics so the reader is aware of the difference. The illustrations are very appropriate for the story itself. Thanks to the author for sharing the photos of Winnie and Harry.

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most touching books I’ve ever read. I want to reread this again and again!

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book just did not work out well for us. (I was reading it aloud to my kids.) I really disliked the format of the story within the story and the anamorphic animals did not work. It was just ludicrous. (Example: Horses rearing to go fight in the war and they think anyone who doesn't want to fight is a coward? Really?) We gave up at page 73, flipped ahead to read where Christopher Robin Milne met Winnie, which consisted of a measly 3 pages, and looked through the photos in the back. My kids did not enjoy it at all and I have no desire to read it on my own. We're all disappointed because we were looking forward to reading it.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding Winnie, in addition to winning a Caldecott, was beautifully and movingly written. Winnie’s Great War shares some of that, but this 240-page Talking Animal book didn’t feel as if it added to Finding Winnie, maybe because of Blackall’s reduced role, maybe because Finding Winnie was everything it needed to be, which isn’t a too-precious anthropomorphized animal story and fictionalized history.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A juvenile novel expanding on the story Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall have already told in picture book form: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear.

This version goes all in on the war aspects and includes a surprisingly high body count for a kid's book that is sure to upset anyone who thinks it's "very sad when the guy stopped drawing the deer" in Bambi.

Frankly, I prefer the shorter version. I could do without the real bear, Winnipeg, called "Winnie," now being a magical creature that can speak to all other animals in their own language because of her open heart or somesuch. Real person Harry Colebourne gets sidelined in the story frequently so Winnie can skitter off and have some more fanciful adventures with her animal friends. All the extra noodling about bored me and wasn't nearly as moving as the picture book.


(Pooh Project: Phase 2! I've managed to catalog all the shorter Pooh projects my family owns (see the list here). While I work through few remaining longer Pooh books we own, I'm missing my daily dose of Pooh, so I'm going to start seeking out some of the Pooh books I don't own – yet – from libraries IRL and online. See the reviews here.)

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winnie’s Great War is the story of Winnie the Pooh told by the great great grandson of Lt Harry Colebourn, the man who found a lone bear cub.

In the middle of the Woods was a tree, and at the bottom of the tree was a hole, and out of the hole poked a big black pad of a nose, which sniffed the air to see whether anyone was around.

Beginning in Winnipeg, traveling across Canada to England this is an endearing story of the famous bear beloved by many. I’ll confess to not knowing his story - weird right!?

I loved the illustrations throughout this book as well as actual photos and other historical facts. Winnie had a voice here as well as other animals which were a nice touch, though a little confusing as to who was speaking at times, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment of this little gem.

A great little book, perfect for bedtime storytime for all ages.

My copy from personal library and part of my ‘reading off my shelf challenge’

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars purely for the family archive of photos in the back. I never get tired of seeing pictures of the real Winnie with her soldiers. :)

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: "Do you want to hear the story of your Bear?" I asked Cole one night while sitting on his bed.


Premise/plot: Winnie The Pooh by A.A. Milne was inspired by Christopher Robin Milne's love a real bear, Winnipeg, in the London Zoo. Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut offer readers an imaginative glimpse into Winnipeg's life. Her story begins in a Canadian forest and ends in a London zoo. Along the way she makes many, many friends: some animal friends (squirrels, horses, a rat) and human friends as well (Harry Colebourn and others in the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, zoo keepers and visitors). This one focuses on the war years--1914 to 1918.


My thoughts: I loved, loved, LOVED this one. It does have a sad chapter when Bear's mother is killed by a trapper. But. It also has plenty of wonderful moments.


I love that is based on a true story. Lindsay Mattick's great-grandfather was Harry Colebourn. He purchased a bear cub for $20 at a railway station in 1914. This bear became a mascot of sorts in his unit. Readers get a glimpse of what life was like for soldiers as they prepare for war. It was Harry's love for Winnipeg that led him to loan/give her to the London Zoo before being shipped overseas to Europe.


This one also celebrates storytelling. The framework is a mother telling her son bedtime stories.


Original audience born circa 2009 to 2012.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

A war story can’t really be delightful but this is as close as one can get. This novel tells the back story of Christopher Robin Milne’s beloved Winnie (short for Winnipeg)—he added the “Pooh”. She was the little brown bear, adopted by a Canadian Regimental soldier, who became the regiment’s mascot, travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to England, and ended up at the London Zoo for safe keeping. Mattick’s story within a story mirrors the cadence and endearing storytelling of the Winnie-the-Pooh books, while at the same time thoughtfully introducing the atrocity of war. As delightful as a war story can be. For readers age 8-12. Also in picture book format called Finding Winnie:the True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. Sophie Blackall’s illustration are lovely, too.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this true story of a Canadian bear rescued by a veterinarian in 1914 and brought to London. Winnie (shorted from Winnipeg) was the mascot of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade and in the loveliest imaginings talks with all the animals she meets. While her vet goes to war she learns how to bring encouragement to her visitors in London, including a young boy named Christopher Robin Milne.

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

What an absolutely heart-warming adorable book. This is a mostly true story about Winnie (short for Winnipeg) the black bear, who gets adopted by a soldier in the Canadian Army, becomes their mascot, and makes her way to London where she ends up inspiring a certain author to write about a Pooh Bear named Winnie. If you are at all a fan of Winnie the Pooh, or animal stories in general, this is practically required reading. Not only is it informative, but it's well-told (the story is framed as a bed time story) and, again, absolutely adorable and heartwarming and just yes.

This is a chapter book/novella with some illustrations, but if you're looking for the same story but even more condensed and in picture book format, check out Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear which is just as adorable!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The theme of Winnie's Great War is always be accepting to every one and don't think you can't be friends with anyone who is different from you. For example Winnie keeps an open heart at the beginning so he can talk with the squirrels and they end up treating him like a daughter. another reason is that throughout the story Winnie is always making peoples day and helping them every way she can so every one calls her my bear or the rat calls her my rat. A final reason is that Winnie makes the rats and the horses come together and not fight or harm each other.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this MG version of the Caldecott winner about the bear Winnie the Pooh is based on. Contains the some of the same darling illustrations, easy to read chapters. Love how Winnipeg can talk to other animals, the loving relationship with his mom and then his Calvary friends. Extra love for the Gaspe peninsula on the map - I’ve been there.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"... because if you're not listening, it's impossible to hear. If you believe that somebody is so different from you that you can't possibly have anything in common, you'll never be able to hear them. No matter what they say."

A very sweet, heartwarming story.

Recently, I've realized I should read more World War I books, whether they be fiction or nonfiction, and what better way than to begin than with this touching story that's based on real events? Of course, there were a few sad moments, but that's to be expected. It's WWI, after all.

Either way, I really enjoyed this one. The audiobook was very well done. I do wish I had gotten the physical copy, though, to also enjoy the illustrations.

[Tamara York · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet WWI story based on real events. I loved sharing the back story about the real bear that Winnie-the-Pooh was named after. I didn’t like the overly complicated narrative style of journal, story, and asides to the narrator’s son. It could have been better without the asides and a strong author’s note instead. Read aloud to my kids as part of our WWI study.

[Beth Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about the origin of Winnie-the-Pooh, and with general first knowledge of the First World War for young readers. Clever writing to tell the story from the bear cub's perspective, interspersed with the thorough diary entries of the Canadian veterinarian who saved the cub after her mother was killed and took her on the journey to war in Europe. This kind veterinarian's great great granddaughter is the talented writer who so eloquently tells the story of soldier, bear cub, Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une très très belle et véridique histoire <3

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it’s pretty cool that the fans of Finding Winnie will have a middle grade novel to read this fall.
This story sets to fill in the holes for the readers - and young Cole - of what happened to our heroine, Winnie from when she first met Harry to when he brings her to the zoo.
* review copy from edelweiss

[Susan Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!! I loved the expanded chapter book story of the original Winnie the Bear. It also gave an excellent look at World War I for children. Highly recommend!! (Library)

[Munro's Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to hit extremely well with the target audience of grandmas. It does a good job of pumping a lot of real events and history into an extremely cute story about Winnie, the real (Canadian) black bear who inspired Milne to write Winnie-the-Pooh. (Winnie was named after Winnipeg!)

What rubbed me the wrong way was the framing device of the adult speaking to a child about "your bear" Winnie. I know it is an homage to the original stories, but it was very stilted, convoluted for young readers, and functioned mainly as a device for clarifying historical facts.

Despite that, I did rather get into the story of this charming bear who stole butter from mess tents and learned to salute and in general was a mascot for the soldiers. I worried the war would be taken too lightly given the cuteness of the storytelling lens, but it did a fine job of suggesting the horror of WWI, but not going into too scary territory for young readers. I liked it quite fine, and I'm not the biggest fan of cute animal stories (unless said animals are chickens or select other barnyard critters). So I feel like some people will really LOVE it. Especially those proud Canadian grandparents.

-Kirsten

[Victoria (TheMennomilistReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so very beautiful!
The inspiration to Winnie the Pooh was Winnipeg the bear from a British zoo. The background to that bear's story is what this book is, as well as the focus on the family of the man who owned the bear. It is really well written, has a touching tale throughout it, and really puts you in a mode of what life for a real sweet bear was like. I read this to my husband (who picked it out) and sons and we all adored it! Totally worth the read for those who love the Winnie the Pooh stories (which I have read all of and always enjoyed the cartoon and the Pooh Corner Disney show from the 80s)!

[Heather Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 year old and I loved this story so much. It was an excellent deeper dive into Finding Winnie, and made an even better read directly after listening to Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner audiobooks. Winnie’s Great War is a story that begs to be read aloud as it’s written in the format of The Princess Bride (movie at least, I haven’t read the book) with the mother recalling Winnie’s story to her son. The oral narration aspect gives off the coziest bedtime story vibes and we loved the interrupting mother/son convos sprinkled throughout. They really highlighted the family connection with Winnie and brought a deeper reality to the story.

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the picture book about Winnie and enjoyed that there is a historical fiction chapter book for a younger audience as well. This was told from Winnie’s perspective, which wasn’t what I expected, but I see how it would work for younger readers. This would be a great read aloud, and I know a second grade class right now that is loving it. Even though I have this only three stars, I found myself surprised at the tears I shed at the end.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with charm, sweetness, and touching moments, follow the journey of Winnie, the world’s best beloved bear, as she wins hearts from the wilds of Saskatchewan to a London zoo.

This isn’t just a story for children. It’s a heart-melting tale for all ages!

Plus, the Canadian in me loves this WW1 homage to my home country.

Such a beautiful story!! 💛

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winnie's Great War tells the true story behind Winnie-the-Pooh; A soldier named Harry Coulbourne bought a bear cub from a trapper for 20 dollars and named it Winnipeg. Winnipeg became the mascot of the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, until Harry gave her to the London Zoo. There she became the most famous attraction as she was a friendly bear cub who would salute and give people rides.

The story is told from the perspective of Winnie, and not Harry, which I think was the best decision the author made. A lot of these true story behind famous fiction suffers because they lack the real thing that made the fiction famous. In this case the author personifies the bear making this actually have something that reminds one of Winnie the Pooh. It's also to their credit that Winnipeg only somewhat reminds one of Winnie, but is very much her own bear. This choice does however lead to some of the odder choices such as Winnipeg hanging out with some squirrels or mediating a war between horses and rats.

The biggest problems in the book most likely also come from the choice of telling it from Winnie's perspective. At the beginning Winnipeg is portrayed as an almost messianic figure because of her ability to understand all animals. The authors attempt to fulfill this by having Winnipeg help the horses and rats come to peace, but that feels like an odd detour rather than a fulfillment of Winnie's purpose. I was also disappointed that more didn't come from Harry's line that "perhaps we will save each-other" which he spoke to Winnie when first buying her. Other than the war there wasn't much that Harry needed saving from, and Winnie didn't save him from the war.

That's the biggest problem I had. Winnie felt like a fully realized character, and I was invested in her relationship with Harry but I didn't feel like I knew Harry very well as a person. And I certainly never felt like I knew the other soldiers well. At the end when one of the soldiers died the children I was reading to didn't react except to ask who he was which was clearly not the intended response.

I'm also unconvinced that the framing device of a mother telling her son the story actually worked, but I think it was worth it for the conceit of referring to Winnie as "your bear" since she is. She is my bear, and your bear. I think that's the most interesting idea that comes out of this; we eventually all become stories. Winnie stopped being just a bear and became the bear who was a member of the veterinary corps and the inspiration for a beloved character.

I've been complaining a lot, but I did really enjoy the book and I found it occasionally surprisingly moving. At its worst its a bit underdeveloped, but at its best it is a heartwarming story about a wonderful bear.

Also, was Hellboy inspired by Winnie?





My evidence is, admittedly, a bit weak.