Finding Winnie: The True Story of the Worlds Most Famous Bear

Winner 2016 Caldecott Medal

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.

"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)

"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)

"The sum total is as captivating as it is informative, transforming a personal family story into something universally resonant." Horn Book (Starred Review)

Lindsay Mattick, great-granddaughter of Harry Colebourn, has shared Winnie's story around the world. She lives with her family in Toronto, Canada.

Sophie Blackall's work has appeared in the bestselling Ivy and Bean series, award-winning picture books, a global pro-vaccination campaign, and on a renowned NYC subway poster. She lives in Brooklyn with her family.