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Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Picture Books (2015)Who could care for a bear? When Harry Colebourn saw a baby bear for sale at the train station, he knew he could care for it. Harry was a veterinarian. But he was also a soldier in training for World War I. Harry named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, his company’s home town, and he brought her along to the training camp in England. Winnie followed Harry everywhere and slept under his cot every night. Before long, she became the regiment’s much-loved mascot. But who could care for the bear when Harry had to go to the battleground in France? Harry found just the right place for Winnie while he was away — the London Zoo. There a little boy named Christopher Robin came along and played with Winnie — he could care for this bear too! Sally Walker’s heartwarming story, paired with Jonathan Voss’s evocative illustrations, brings to life the story of the real bear who inspired Winnie the Pooh.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2015
About the author
Sally M. Walker
93 books76 followersSally M. Walker has written science books for children, including Earthquakes, an NSTA/CBC Best Science Trade Book of 1997. She lives in DeKalb, IL.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 484 reviews
December 11, 2015
Winnie's favorite game was hide-and-seek-biscuits.
Using her long claws, she pulled hidden biscuits from Harry's pockets.
"Good girl!" Harry praised when she succeeded.
I was fascinated to read about the real bear that Winnie-the-Pooh was based on. She was a black bear who Harry Colebourn, a Canadian military veterinarian, bought at a railway station for 20 dollars when she was six months old. Her mother was shot by a hunter and the old man couldn't bring himself to kill the cub.
Winnie quickly became the mascot of Colebourn's section (group of soldiers). They'd walk her on a leash, feed her, and take pictures with her. She slept underneath Colebourn's cot.
Then the Canadian troops were called to England and they took Winnie along with them. She stayed in England training with the soldiers for seven weeks. But when the soldiers were ordered into combat in France, Colebourn knew that he couldn't take Winnie with him on the battlefield. He gave her to a British zoo where she was well-cared for and even gave children rides on her back.
When Winnie was 11, she meets Christopher Robin for the first time when A.A. Milne brought him to the zoo to see the animals. When Christopher Robin re-named his teddy after the bear, A.A. Milne started constructing stories focused on and around the bear Christopher Robin called "Winnie-the-Pooh."
After that, the real Winnie became very famous. She died at age 20 in 1934.
At the end of the book, there is an Author's Note which explains things in adult language and in much more detail. The book also offers a Works Cited at the end and suggests websites and books that will give you more information.
Will kids be interested in this book?
Yes. Winnie-the-Pooh is still HUGELY popular and it will blow kids' minds that he is based on a real, female bear. Who would not be enchanted by a story of a soldier adopting an orphaned bear cub at a train station and then taking her with him around the world as he prepares for war? Good stuff.
One of the highlights of this book are the front pages and end pages, which feature fascinating black-and-white photos of the real Winnie and the soldiers and children who loved her.
I don't really like the art. The illustrations are not really to my liking, but I'm picky.
However, the story is great and I think if a child has any interest in Winnie-the-Pooh, than she/he might like taking a whirl with this book.
Ages 0-6.
Using her long claws, she pulled hidden biscuits from Harry's pockets.
"Good girl!" Harry praised when she succeeded.
I was fascinated to read about the real bear that Winnie-the-Pooh was based on. She was a black bear who Harry Colebourn, a Canadian military veterinarian, bought at a railway station for 20 dollars when she was six months old. Her mother was shot by a hunter and the old man couldn't bring himself to kill the cub.
Winnie quickly became the mascot of Colebourn's section (group of soldiers). They'd walk her on a leash, feed her, and take pictures with her. She slept underneath Colebourn's cot.
Then the Canadian troops were called to England and they took Winnie along with them. She stayed in England training with the soldiers for seven weeks. But when the soldiers were ordered into combat in France, Colebourn knew that he couldn't take Winnie with him on the battlefield. He gave her to a British zoo where she was well-cared for and even gave children rides on her back.
When Winnie was 11, she meets Christopher Robin for the first time when A.A. Milne brought him to the zoo to see the animals. When Christopher Robin re-named his teddy after the bear, A.A. Milne started constructing stories focused on and around the bear Christopher Robin called "Winnie-the-Pooh."
After that, the real Winnie became very famous. She died at age 20 in 1934.
At the end of the book, there is an Author's Note which explains things in adult language and in much more detail. The book also offers a Works Cited at the end and suggests websites and books that will give you more information.
Will kids be interested in this book?
Yes. Winnie-the-Pooh is still HUGELY popular and it will blow kids' minds that he is based on a real, female bear. Who would not be enchanted by a story of a soldier adopting an orphaned bear cub at a train station and then taking her with him around the world as he prepares for war? Good stuff.
One of the highlights of this book are the front pages and end pages, which feature fascinating black-and-white photos of the real Winnie and the soldiers and children who loved her.
I don't really like the art. The illustrations are not really to my liking, but I'm picky.
However, the story is great and I think if a child has any interest in Winnie-the-Pooh, than she/he might like taking a whirl with this book.
Ages 0-6.
February 11, 2015
I worked in close proximity to the real Winnie-the-Pooh for five years. From 2006 to 2011 he was a daily delight. To clarify, I was working alongside the original Winnie-the-Pooh toys owned by the real Christopher Robin, son of A.A. Milne in New York Public Library's Central Children's Room. We had Piglet, Tigger, Kanga (no Roo), Eeyore, and Winnie himself. Though ironically I never read his books as a child, in my time as a children’s librarian working in the Children’s Center at 42nd Street I became well versed in his story. Winnie was purchased at Harrods for Christopher Robin who eventually named him “Winnie” after some bear he’d seen in a zoo. If pressed to conjure up facts about that zoo bear I might have been able to tell you that its name was Winnipeg, but that was about as far as my knowledge on the matter went. Sometimes it takes a children’s book to learn about a children’s book character. Winnie: The True Story of the Bear That Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh relates the true history of a man and his bear. Illustrated with aplomb by Jonathan D. Voss, the book’s charm is the true measure by which you can assess how well it lives up to its namesake. Accuracy and adorableness in one small, furry package.
There are many things Harry Colebourn could have purchased as his troop passed through the small train station, but what did he end up with? A baby bear. A baby black bear, if you want to be precise about it. Good natured and orphaned, Harry promptly names her “Winnie” after his company’s hometown “Winnipeg” and she becomes the darling of his troop. When WWI calls his company across the wide ocean, Winnie comes along. But killing fields are no place for a baby bear so it’s to the London Zoo that Winnie goes. Once there, Harry promises her that when the war is done he’ll take her back to Winnipeg. It’s a promise he doesn’t keep. Upon his return Harry sees that Winnie is not only happy but a star of the zoo. She’s so gentle that children everywhere come to see her. Even a boy by the name of Christopher Robin . . . Copious photographs of the real Winnie and Harry grace the front endpapers while Christopher Robin graces the back. There is an additional Author's Note on Harry, Winnie, and black bears as well as a Bibliography of sources.
As I began reading the book I wondered if the story of Winnie would be akin to other military animal tales out there. Would Winnie aid the Allies much in the same way as Voytek in Poland or was she more of a mascot like Stubby? Neither, as it happens. Though Winnie did make it onto a boat headed for France, her keeper was smart enough to recognize that while some bears would thrive in a war zone (see: Voytek), Winnie was not one of them. Really she was just a baby and after seeing her playing and cuddling with Harry the thought of her existing in a place where bullets would fly is terrifying. This is a sweet wartime tale, perfect for reading to younger children who take things on face value and aren’t aware of what WWI really entailed.
The art of Jonathan D. Voss caught me by surprise. With just a half glance at the cover I initially though the illustrator was Amy June Bates (who illustrated the somewhat similar Christian the Hugging Lion back in 2010). An understandable mistake but once I actually went so far as to, oh I dunno LOOK at the book, I could see that Voss has a crisper line as well as a sure and steady grasp on the material. This being the first picture book that he has illustrated, he does a good job of making some really iconic images. The view on the cover of Harry hugging Winnie to his chest, as one might cuddle an infant, is downright heartwarming. Likewise the image of Winnie asleep under Harry’s cot as his long arm drapes down, his wrist bending in sleep, works. And if the four shots of Harry playing with Winnie were a YouTube video they’d get more hits than any other cute animal video to date. There is the occasional misstep, I’m afraid. A boy riding Winnie later in the book bears the slack-jawed look of a very small grown man and not a little boy. Indeed Voss appears to be most comfortable when Winnie is his focus. There’s not a single image where that bear doesn’t feel 100% authentic. One suspects the artist spent a great deal of time studying baby black bears and how they move. He also does a decent job of rendering the stuffed Pooh accurately. The arms are admittedly a bit long but the stance and nose are on target.
One objection I’ve heard to the story is that there isn’t enough Christopher Robin / real Winnie-the-Pooh info included in this story. I can see where this critic is coming from but I respectfully disagree. To my mind, Winnie’s story is fascinating in and of itself regardless of what famous literary character she ended up inspiring on some level. Hers is a story of tragedy turned to great good luck. Few orphaned bears in the WWI era would have found such a caring owner, let alone one that let them travel to Europe. Her life was notable at the time and makes for no less an interesting story today.
For my part, the book gets into tricky territory when we view the quoted dialog. Now Ms. Walker is a known entity. She does this stuff for a living. Wins big nonfiction awards like the Sibert for Secrets of a Civil War Submarine and the like. So when we get to a section where Harry is quoted saying “I’ll feed her condensed milk. She can stay with me in camp. Winnipeg can be our mascot,” then we have to naturally assume that the quote comes from one of the listed sources Walker provides at the back of the book. The quotes are not sourced but since Harry’s diary is one of those aforementioned sources, there’s a strong likelihood that the quotes come from there. I’m giving the book the benefit of the doubt in this matter, since faux dialog is the bane of the modern nonfiction picture book.
Read this book and few will wonder that after seeing Winnie in person, Christopher Robin wanted a bear of his very own. Indeed, the vast majority of children who are read Winnie may think to themselves (or say out loud) at some point, “When do I get my own?” Sorry, kids. If it’s any consolation you can see the Winnie-the-Pooh toys in the main New York Public Library location anytime the building is open. Maybe it won’t be the same as getting to ride a sweet bear in the zoo, but it’s still a part of this story on some level. Cute, not saccharine, and pleasing to boot, this is one story-behind-the-story kids will definitely appreciate. Lovers of Pooh welcome but not required.
For ages 4-7.
There are many things Harry Colebourn could have purchased as his troop passed through the small train station, but what did he end up with? A baby bear. A baby black bear, if you want to be precise about it. Good natured and orphaned, Harry promptly names her “Winnie” after his company’s hometown “Winnipeg” and she becomes the darling of his troop. When WWI calls his company across the wide ocean, Winnie comes along. But killing fields are no place for a baby bear so it’s to the London Zoo that Winnie goes. Once there, Harry promises her that when the war is done he’ll take her back to Winnipeg. It’s a promise he doesn’t keep. Upon his return Harry sees that Winnie is not only happy but a star of the zoo. She’s so gentle that children everywhere come to see her. Even a boy by the name of Christopher Robin . . . Copious photographs of the real Winnie and Harry grace the front endpapers while Christopher Robin graces the back. There is an additional Author's Note on Harry, Winnie, and black bears as well as a Bibliography of sources.
As I began reading the book I wondered if the story of Winnie would be akin to other military animal tales out there. Would Winnie aid the Allies much in the same way as Voytek in Poland or was she more of a mascot like Stubby? Neither, as it happens. Though Winnie did make it onto a boat headed for France, her keeper was smart enough to recognize that while some bears would thrive in a war zone (see: Voytek), Winnie was not one of them. Really she was just a baby and after seeing her playing and cuddling with Harry the thought of her existing in a place where bullets would fly is terrifying. This is a sweet wartime tale, perfect for reading to younger children who take things on face value and aren’t aware of what WWI really entailed.
The art of Jonathan D. Voss caught me by surprise. With just a half glance at the cover I initially though the illustrator was Amy June Bates (who illustrated the somewhat similar Christian the Hugging Lion back in 2010). An understandable mistake but once I actually went so far as to, oh I dunno LOOK at the book, I could see that Voss has a crisper line as well as a sure and steady grasp on the material. This being the first picture book that he has illustrated, he does a good job of making some really iconic images. The view on the cover of Harry hugging Winnie to his chest, as one might cuddle an infant, is downright heartwarming. Likewise the image of Winnie asleep under Harry’s cot as his long arm drapes down, his wrist bending in sleep, works. And if the four shots of Harry playing with Winnie were a YouTube video they’d get more hits than any other cute animal video to date. There is the occasional misstep, I’m afraid. A boy riding Winnie later in the book bears the slack-jawed look of a very small grown man and not a little boy. Indeed Voss appears to be most comfortable when Winnie is his focus. There’s not a single image where that bear doesn’t feel 100% authentic. One suspects the artist spent a great deal of time studying baby black bears and how they move. He also does a decent job of rendering the stuffed Pooh accurately. The arms are admittedly a bit long but the stance and nose are on target.
One objection I’ve heard to the story is that there isn’t enough Christopher Robin / real Winnie-the-Pooh info included in this story. I can see where this critic is coming from but I respectfully disagree. To my mind, Winnie’s story is fascinating in and of itself regardless of what famous literary character she ended up inspiring on some level. Hers is a story of tragedy turned to great good luck. Few orphaned bears in the WWI era would have found such a caring owner, let alone one that let them travel to Europe. Her life was notable at the time and makes for no less an interesting story today.
For my part, the book gets into tricky territory when we view the quoted dialog. Now Ms. Walker is a known entity. She does this stuff for a living. Wins big nonfiction awards like the Sibert for Secrets of a Civil War Submarine and the like. So when we get to a section where Harry is quoted saying “I’ll feed her condensed milk. She can stay with me in camp. Winnipeg can be our mascot,” then we have to naturally assume that the quote comes from one of the listed sources Walker provides at the back of the book. The quotes are not sourced but since Harry’s diary is one of those aforementioned sources, there’s a strong likelihood that the quotes come from there. I’m giving the book the benefit of the doubt in this matter, since faux dialog is the bane of the modern nonfiction picture book.
Read this book and few will wonder that after seeing Winnie in person, Christopher Robin wanted a bear of his very own. Indeed, the vast majority of children who are read Winnie may think to themselves (or say out loud) at some point, “When do I get my own?” Sorry, kids. If it’s any consolation you can see the Winnie-the-Pooh toys in the main New York Public Library location anytime the building is open. Maybe it won’t be the same as getting to ride a sweet bear in the zoo, but it’s still a part of this story on some level. Cute, not saccharine, and pleasing to boot, this is one story-behind-the-story kids will definitely appreciate. Lovers of Pooh welcome but not required.
For ages 4-7.
March 22, 2023
A cute little biography of the real bear that traveled as a mascot with Canadian soldiers to England where she found a home at the London Zoo and met a little boy named Christopher Robin Milne, who was so smitten with her he immediately changed the name of his teddy bear from Edward Bear to Winnie-the-Pooh.
Nicely done.
(My Pooh Project: I love Winnie the Pooh, and so does my wife. Having a daughter gave us a chance to indoctrinate her into the cult by buying and reading her every Pooh book we came across. How many is that? I’m going to count them this year by reading and reviewing one every day and seeing which month I finally run out. Track my progress here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... )
Nicely done.
(My Pooh Project: I love Winnie the Pooh, and so does my wife. Having a daughter gave us a chance to indoctrinate her into the cult by buying and reading her every Pooh book we came across. How many is that? I’m going to count them this year by reading and reviewing one every day and seeing which month I finally run out. Track my progress here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... )
September 1, 2021
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh is a children's picture book written by Sally M. Walker and illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss. It centers on a soldier's pet bear, which becomes famous.
Winnipeg, or Winnie, was the name given to a female black bear that lived at London Zoo from 1915 until her death in 1934. Rescued by cavalry veterinarian Harry Colebourn, Winnie is best-remembered for inspiring A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard's character, Winnie-the-Pooh.
Walker's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Walker provides a concise, affecting account of the story behind the bear that sparked the creation of Winnie-the-Pooh. Backmatter includes sources and websites. Voss highlights Winnie's playful personality, as well as the close bond between her and Colebourn. Subtle sepia tones give the nostalgic pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations the feel of period photographs.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The heart of the story is the relationship between Winnie, short for Winnipeg, and Harry Colebourn, a WWI Canadian Veterinary Corps soldier who impulsively bought the young orphaned bear at an Ontario train station. When Colebourn ships out to care for wounded horses in France, he finds her a new home at the London Zoo. This bittersweet separation has a gratifying resolution: Winnie easily adjusts to life among the other bears and makes friends with young zoo visitors – including the son of A.A. Milne, whose books made Winnie a celebrity in her lifetime.
All in all, Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh is a straightforward biography that reveals the bear behind the tale.
Winnipeg, or Winnie, was the name given to a female black bear that lived at London Zoo from 1915 until her death in 1934. Rescued by cavalry veterinarian Harry Colebourn, Winnie is best-remembered for inspiring A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard's character, Winnie-the-Pooh.
Walker's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Walker provides a concise, affecting account of the story behind the bear that sparked the creation of Winnie-the-Pooh. Backmatter includes sources and websites. Voss highlights Winnie's playful personality, as well as the close bond between her and Colebourn. Subtle sepia tones give the nostalgic pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations the feel of period photographs.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The heart of the story is the relationship between Winnie, short for Winnipeg, and Harry Colebourn, a WWI Canadian Veterinary Corps soldier who impulsively bought the young orphaned bear at an Ontario train station. When Colebourn ships out to care for wounded horses in France, he finds her a new home at the London Zoo. This bittersweet separation has a gratifying resolution: Winnie easily adjusts to life among the other bears and makes friends with young zoo visitors – including the son of A.A. Milne, whose books made Winnie a celebrity in her lifetime.
All in all, Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh is a straightforward biography that reveals the bear behind the tale.
November 13, 2015
The whole family will read all these Goodreads Children's Illustrated book nominees for 2015 and rate all of them.
I never knew that Winnie the Pooh was based on Christopher Robin's encounter with a real live bear at the London Zoo! My family loved this book, and it was hands down their favorite of the six (of fifteen) nominees for the award we have in the house at the moment.
I was on my way to the library to get it and heard Sally Walker on NPR being interviewed about it, and it really got me interested. A soldier, Harry Colebourn, bought the bear in Winnipeg and called it that, though it was shortened to Winnie. Amazingly, the bear--yes, a real live bear--became his regiment's mascot. It slept for a time under his bed! And it was raised as a gentle, human-friendly pet that eventually went to live at the London Zoo, as the soldier, who had become a veterinarian to work with horses in WWI, went to war. Winnie, became famous and children were allowed to be photographed with him at the zoo. The book comes with pictures to prove all of this, an author's notes, sources for further study.
My kids loved it, talked about it, had fun with it. I liked it a lot. It's not very much about Milne or Winnie the Pooh, which is just fine. I thought the art by Jonathan Voss was just fine. The story itself is told pretty straightforwardly and feels a little slight, though I like my kids smiled throughout. It just feels pretty average as storytelling, though it has a great story to tell. If that makes any sense at all.
My above rating is roughly mine, and probably could have been bumped up to a five based on family ratings and influences and maybe still will be if the next nine I read of the award nominees are not nearly so good.
Dave 4.5/5
Tara 4.5
Harry 4.5 or 5
Henry 5
Lyra 5
I never knew that Winnie the Pooh was based on Christopher Robin's encounter with a real live bear at the London Zoo! My family loved this book, and it was hands down their favorite of the six (of fifteen) nominees for the award we have in the house at the moment.
I was on my way to the library to get it and heard Sally Walker on NPR being interviewed about it, and it really got me interested. A soldier, Harry Colebourn, bought the bear in Winnipeg and called it that, though it was shortened to Winnie. Amazingly, the bear--yes, a real live bear--became his regiment's mascot. It slept for a time under his bed! And it was raised as a gentle, human-friendly pet that eventually went to live at the London Zoo, as the soldier, who had become a veterinarian to work with horses in WWI, went to war. Winnie, became famous and children were allowed to be photographed with him at the zoo. The book comes with pictures to prove all of this, an author's notes, sources for further study.
My kids loved it, talked about it, had fun with it. I liked it a lot. It's not very much about Milne or Winnie the Pooh, which is just fine. I thought the art by Jonathan Voss was just fine. The story itself is told pretty straightforwardly and feels a little slight, though I like my kids smiled throughout. It just feels pretty average as storytelling, though it has a great story to tell. If that makes any sense at all.
My above rating is roughly mine, and probably could have been bumped up to a five based on family ratings and influences and maybe still will be if the next nine I read of the award nominees are not nearly so good.
Dave 4.5/5
Tara 4.5
Harry 4.5 or 5
Henry 5
Lyra 5
May 16, 2023
While there is indeed very much to love and appreciate with regard to Sally M. Walker's Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh (and I do absolutely love the combination of authentic photographs and Jonathan D. Voss' expressive accompanying illustrations, which while perhaps a tad too cartoon like at times, always manage to capture especially Winnie the bear in all of her many guises and emotions), considering that Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh is also and perhaps even first and foremost a story of WWI, of the so-called Great War, I am kind of feeling that the author has in no way adequately presented what WWI was, has not really sufficiently pointed out the horrors of what WWI truly signified. For while I of course did not expect to read minute details about Harry Colebourne's battle experiences in France, and while I guess the possible dangers of battle are at least mildly alluded to once or twice, I for one have been left with the rather painful feeling that the narrative really does not all that much show that the soldiers training to go to France to fight were in fact training to fight in Hell, that many did not return and many were scarred for life both physically and mentally (not to mention the battlefield animals, specially the horses).
Yes, the story of how Harry finds Winnie and how Winnie later ends up in a London zoo where she is noticed by author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin and becomes the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh is sweetly engaging, but I most definitely have been a bit personally disappointed and even rather upset that Sally M. Walker basically does so very much gloss over the First World War, that she really does in no way portray it (and even in the otherwise excellent author's note at the back) as the horror, the all encompassing tragedy it represented (that even Winnie's sojourn as the quasi mascot of Harry Colebourne's unit whilst in training is somehow portrayed more as a fun and adventurous romp, with the potential dangers of battle only rather vaguely hinted at, and more with regard to Winnie the bear and not with regard to the soldiers who would be shipping off to fight in the trenches of France). And thus, only three stars for Winnie: The True Story of the Bear who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, because while I can and do appreciate the author's and the illustrator's efforts and have indeed quite enjoyed the story (especially how Harry purchases Winnie as an orphaned bear cub to save her life and how she becomes the inspiration for A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh), the to and for me rather uncritical and almost nonchalant portrayal of WWI, leave a bit to be personally desired (although I would still tend to recommend Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, but with the caveat that I do think that WWI has been approached in a rather trivial, unserious, laxly uncritical and actually almost accepting and condoning, promoting manner).
Yes, the story of how Harry finds Winnie and how Winnie later ends up in a London zoo where she is noticed by author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin and becomes the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh is sweetly engaging, but I most definitely have been a bit personally disappointed and even rather upset that Sally M. Walker basically does so very much gloss over the First World War, that she really does in no way portray it (and even in the otherwise excellent author's note at the back) as the horror, the all encompassing tragedy it represented (that even Winnie's sojourn as the quasi mascot of Harry Colebourne's unit whilst in training is somehow portrayed more as a fun and adventurous romp, with the potential dangers of battle only rather vaguely hinted at, and more with regard to Winnie the bear and not with regard to the soldiers who would be shipping off to fight in the trenches of France). And thus, only three stars for Winnie: The True Story of the Bear who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, because while I can and do appreciate the author's and the illustrator's efforts and have indeed quite enjoyed the story (especially how Harry purchases Winnie as an orphaned bear cub to save her life and how she becomes the inspiration for A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh), the to and for me rather uncritical and almost nonchalant portrayal of WWI, leave a bit to be personally desired (although I would still tend to recommend Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, but with the caveat that I do think that WWI has been approached in a rather trivial, unserious, laxly uncritical and actually almost accepting and condoning, promoting manner).
November 28, 2015
Most children (and adults, alike) don’t realize that the famous character Winnie the Pooh was based on a real-life bear named Winnipeg (Winnie for short). Winnie was cared for by a veterinarian and soldier during WWI, Harry Colebourn. Colebourn, being relocated to France, had to give Winnie to the London Zoo for caring which is where author A.A. Milne’s son Christopher Robin fell in love with the bear, inspired bed time stories, and the rest is history. Sally Walker brings this inspiration to life, with help from illustrations by Jonathan Voss in, “Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie the Pooh”.
“Winnie” is a simple, charming book perfect for a quick bedtime story for very young children (preschool and kindergarten) and those just learning to read. Although the story and prose are easy to understand; Walker also provides substantial sentence structure making the story flow and captivating for children.
The wonderful thing about “Winnie” is its two-pronged success at entertaining Winnie the Pooh fans by teaching history and explaining the real-life inspiration behind the character while also showing children how to be loving, friendly, and a caretaker (based on the relationship between Harry and Winnie). This makes “Winnie” a positive lesson book and can even provide talking points on many echelons between parents and children.
Voss’s illustrations are somewhat ‘standard’ for children’s books in the usual watercolor paint style. However, the detail is inviting and sweet and thus fits the story quite well.
The ending of “Winnie” feels a bit abrupt and cut off but this is redeemed by the “Author’s Note” which presents real-life facts regarding Winnie and Harry. Sources are also listed while some authentic photos of Harry and Winnie grace the insides of the front and back covers.
“Winnie” is an easy-to-read charming book which sweetly explains to children the inspiration behind Winnie the Pooh. Although it isn’t the most memorable children’s book; it is still a positive choice for young readers and parents and is recommended for the kiddos and Winnie the Pooh fans.
“Winnie” is a simple, charming book perfect for a quick bedtime story for very young children (preschool and kindergarten) and those just learning to read. Although the story and prose are easy to understand; Walker also provides substantial sentence structure making the story flow and captivating for children.
The wonderful thing about “Winnie” is its two-pronged success at entertaining Winnie the Pooh fans by teaching history and explaining the real-life inspiration behind the character while also showing children how to be loving, friendly, and a caretaker (based on the relationship between Harry and Winnie). This makes “Winnie” a positive lesson book and can even provide talking points on many echelons between parents and children.
Voss’s illustrations are somewhat ‘standard’ for children’s books in the usual watercolor paint style. However, the detail is inviting and sweet and thus fits the story quite well.
The ending of “Winnie” feels a bit abrupt and cut off but this is redeemed by the “Author’s Note” which presents real-life facts regarding Winnie and Harry. Sources are also listed while some authentic photos of Harry and Winnie grace the insides of the front and back covers.
“Winnie” is an easy-to-read charming book which sweetly explains to children the inspiration behind Winnie the Pooh. Although it isn’t the most memorable children’s book; it is still a positive choice for young readers and parents and is recommended for the kiddos and Winnie the Pooh fans.
February 23, 2017
An accessible read-aloud that held my students' attention all the way through. The kids were fascinated by the Canadian connection to the world's most famous storybook bear.
August 21, 2020
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Winnie-the-Pooh. So when my daughter and I were driving to Sault Ste Marie, we stopped at White River, Ontario, Canada and visited the museum dedicated to none other than Winnie-the-Pooh, the real Winnie! The staff there were very friendly and knowledgeable.
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh written by Sally M. Walker and illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss is the remarkable tale of a real bear and the soldier who cared for her.
When Harry Colebourn saw a bear for sale at a Canadian train station, he knew he could care for it. Harry was a veterinarian. But he was also a soldier in training for World War I.
Harry named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, his company's hometown, and he took her to the training camp at Valcartier, Quebec. Winnie followed Harry everywhere and slept under his cot every night. When the regiment had to go to England, they took Winnie with them. She was the regiment's much-loved mascot.
After a short while in England, the men were needed in France. Harry knew that it was too dangerous to take Winnie to the battleground in France, so he left her at the London Zoo, where she was well cared for. There, a boy named Christopher Robin came along and played with Winnie – he could care for this bear too! His father A.A.Milne told Christopher Robin bedtime stories about Winnie the bear at the zoo.
With Jonathan Voss's evocative illustrations, Sally Walker brings to life the heart-warming story of the real bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh written by Sally M. Walker and illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss is the remarkable tale of a real bear and the soldier who cared for her.
When Harry Colebourn saw a bear for sale at a Canadian train station, he knew he could care for it. Harry was a veterinarian. But he was also a soldier in training for World War I.
Harry named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, his company's hometown, and he took her to the training camp at Valcartier, Quebec. Winnie followed Harry everywhere and slept under his cot every night. When the regiment had to go to England, they took Winnie with them. She was the regiment's much-loved mascot.
After a short while in England, the men were needed in France. Harry knew that it was too dangerous to take Winnie to the battleground in France, so he left her at the London Zoo, where she was well cared for. There, a boy named Christopher Robin came along and played with Winnie – he could care for this bear too! His father A.A.Milne told Christopher Robin bedtime stories about Winnie the bear at the zoo.
With Jonathan Voss's evocative illustrations, Sally Walker brings to life the heart-warming story of the real bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.
March 31, 2015
I loved this book, but I love Winnie the Pooh. What a wonderful children's book on how Winnie the black bear inspired the Winnie the Pooh books. It is a very short and simple read. This is what makes it so good for kids and a nice companion to the Winnie the Pooh books. Short, simple and to the point written in story form but in the non fiction section. There are actual pictures of the actual Winnie bear and his owner on the inside and backside cover flap.
November 6, 2022
I have read this to at least 8 classes grades 1-3 and they absolutely love it and are engaged asking terrific questions. This bears journey during WWI to England is pretty amazing. Toss in the emotional appeal of a man leaving behind his pet and they are hooked. One of my favorites so far this year.
July 12, 2017
داستان اصلی پشت نام گذاری خرس وینی-پو :)
اسم اصلیش وینی پِگ بوده و توسط یه سرباز به سرپرستی قبول شده. داستان زمان جنگ جهانی اول هستش. در نهایت هم به شناخت چاپ اصلی وینی پو در سال 1926 کمک جالبی میکنه. انتهای کتاب هم یادداشت هایی از نویسنده داره و چند تا عکس اصلی از خود وینی و افرادی که توی این راه باهاش بودن.
اسم اصلیش وینی پِگ بوده و توسط یه سرباز به سرپرستی قبول شده. داستان زمان جنگ جهانی اول هستش. در نهایت هم به شناخت چاپ اصلی وینی پو در سال 1926 کمک جالبی میکنه. انتهای کتاب هم یادداشت هایی از نویسنده داره و چند تا عکس اصلی از خود وینی و افرادی که توی این راه باهاش بودن.
December 2, 2015
Source: Library
I'm torn...
I grew up on Winnie and was very much obsessed with Winnie the Pooh and friends! However, I felt like this book didn't really do Winnie and how he came to be any justice o.O.
I'm torn...
I grew up on Winnie and was very much obsessed with Winnie the Pooh and friends! However, I felt like this book didn't really do Winnie and how he came to be any justice o.O.
May 9, 2018
I’ve always enjoyed Sally Walker’s books, and this one is no exception. What a cute bear! The real Winnie that inspired the Pooh was a Canadian black bear adopted as a cub by a military veterinarian during World War I. Harry Colebourn named her Winnie because the company that he was part of was from Winnipeg. It’s so cute how this little bear attached itself to Harry, as Voss’ delightful illustrations show. Winnie accompanied Harry when he was shipped over to England, but when he was shipped to France, where the fighting was, Winnie was left at the London Zoo. In time, that’s where A.A. Milne’s son Christopher Robin fell in love with her.
I love how this story is told and I really love the illustrations, which are done in warm colors with touches of humor. Walker provides additional information about what became of Winnie and Harry, and about the publishing of Winnie-the-Pooh and its sequel. She also provides a photo of a statue of Winnie and Harry erected at the London Zoo. There are also lovely photos on the endpapers of Milne and Christopher Robin, and Winnie and Harry, some of which were spoiled by my library’s pasting down the jacket flaps of the cover and thereby obscuring the photos underneath. There are ways to attach the dust jacket without pasting down the flaps in cases like this. Grrr.
Winnie the Pooh fans have got to read this book, which explains why the fictional bear has such a gentle personality. Highly recommended.
I love how this story is told and I really love the illustrations, which are done in warm colors with touches of humor. Walker provides additional information about what became of Winnie and Harry, and about the publishing of Winnie-the-Pooh and its sequel. She also provides a photo of a statue of Winnie and Harry erected at the London Zoo. There are also lovely photos on the endpapers of Milne and Christopher Robin, and Winnie and Harry, some of which were spoiled by my library’s pasting down the jacket flaps of the cover and thereby obscuring the photos underneath. There are ways to attach the dust jacket without pasting down the flaps in cases like this. Grrr.
Winnie the Pooh fans have got to read this book, which explains why the fictional bear has such a gentle personality. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2016
I don't know how to rate this book! It is a nonfiction children's book about a bear that is well-known and loved by many. I never knew that Winnie was a real bear. I thought the stories just came from Christopher's stuffed bear. I had heard bits and pieces, but never knew the whole story. My daughter loved Winnie-the-Pooh when she was little, so this is very sentimental to me. I loved getting to know the story of the real bear.
March 14, 2017
Nonfiction story of the bear that inspired Winnie the Pooh. Originally named Winnipeg, the American black bear was purchased by a Canadian veterinary soldier, from a hunter, and adopted as the unit mascot. Winnie followed his new master to Europe and was remarkably tame. When the unit had to go to the front lines, Winnie was left in the care of the London zoo. When WWI ended, Winnie had become familiar with the zoo and was getting exceptional care, so the soldier reluctantly decided to leave Winnie there.
While at the zoo, Winnie was so gentle that the zoo keepers allowed children to pet him and even sometimes ride on his back. One visitor to the zoo was Christopher Robin who fell in love with Winnie and added Pooh to his name. His father made up bedtime stories using Winnie as the main character and eventually wrote the Winnie the Pooh books.
This is a great read-aloud story for 1st graders. There is even a URL listed in the back of the book where you can access a London zoo video that includes a brief segment showing the actual bear eating an orange (at about 2:45 into the video).
The illustrator also deserves credit for producing very nice watercolor illustrations that beautifully support the text. This would be a great addition to any beginning reader's collection.
While at the zoo, Winnie was so gentle that the zoo keepers allowed children to pet him and even sometimes ride on his back. One visitor to the zoo was Christopher Robin who fell in love with Winnie and added Pooh to his name. His father made up bedtime stories using Winnie as the main character and eventually wrote the Winnie the Pooh books.
This is a great read-aloud story for 1st graders. There is even a URL listed in the back of the book where you can access a London zoo video that includes a brief segment showing the actual bear eating an orange (at about 2:45 into the video).
The illustrator also deserves credit for producing very nice watercolor illustrations that beautifully support the text. This would be a great addition to any beginning reader's collection.
February 19, 2015
Grab a cup of tea and a fireside chair, this is a "comfort " book. Do children remember A.A. Milnes' stories and poems about Christopher Robin and his forever friend, Winnie-the-Pooh? Sally Walker's book completes the legend of everyone's favorite bear. This is one you will always remember.
Hats off to the illustrator, Jonathan Voss for his ablility to capture the essence of the characters personalities. The photos, biographies and websites at the end complete the book. Whether private library or school, it is a "must have". Thank you, Mrs. Walker.
Hats off to the illustrator, Jonathan Voss for his ablility to capture the essence of the characters personalities. The photos, biographies and websites at the end complete the book. Whether private library or school, it is a "must have". Thank you, Mrs. Walker.
September 23, 2015
I never knew that Winnie-the-Pooh was based on a real bear. That real bear is so fascinating I'm even more amazed that I hadn't heard of him. Wow, children RODE on him? (I take it zoos didn't worry about insurance back then...eek...)
Winnie the cub found by a soldier - this should be a much longer book because all these adventures before he even got to the zoo should be written down (perhaps they are somewhere?) I'm astonished and very glad I found this book today.
Winnie the cub found by a soldier - this should be a much longer book because all these adventures before he even got to the zoo should be written down (perhaps they are somewhere?) I'm astonished and very glad I found this book today.
January 28, 2015
I always knew that Winnie-the-Pooh was inspired by a bear from the London zoo, but I didn't know the bear had traveled there from Canada as part of a WWI troop movement. Delightful story, but what makes this book truly special are the pictures on the end papers and the author's note that makes the story come to life. Not to mention the website and video of the real Winnie!
Read
March 20, 2016Historical, Charming, Touching, Enlightening & Sweet! A Wonderfully Fascinating Read! I Loved It!
December 18, 2017
One of the best realties..
October 25, 2018
Simply wonderful!
May 4, 2016
I never knew there was a real bear named Winnie the Pooh or a boy named Christopher Robin. A wonderful and informative kids book with amazing pictures. A treasure for sure!
April 22, 2017
Loved this book! A Beehive winner and a fun read for al ages.
January 12, 2018
Blah compared to the other book about Winnie I recently read. ('Finding Winnie')
March 25, 2023
This was a longish book for a six year old. But since I just introduced her to Winnie the Pooh with a movie, she was interested. The story was average length for a primary level book. The illustrations were appropriate and led well to the next pages. Held her attention all the way to the end. The best thing is it is a true story.
Borrowed this from our local library.
Borrowed this from our local library.
January 13, 2016
If you are thinking that this book is of interest only for Winnie-the-Pooh lovers, let me tell you that this is a story absolutely worth of reading by itself. None of us here is really a fan of Winnie-the-Pooh, but we enjoyed knowing the story of the real Winnie, that will engage any animal lover.
Winnie (short for Winnipeg) was an American black bear who had her mom shot when she was around 7 months old. The shooter only realized about the cub after he shot the mom. He didn't want to let her by herself, but he couldn't take care of her either, so he decided to sell her. Harry Colebourn, veterinarian and soldier, bought her in a Canadian train station. Winnie became the mascot of Harry's regiment, and when the regiment moved from Canada to England when World War I started, Winnie went with them. As the war worsened and the regiment had to go to the French front, Harry decided to leave Winnie in the London Zoo until the end of the war so she wouldn't be at risk, but by that moment Winnie was so used to her new home, that Harry decided to don't take her with him to Winnipeg again. Winnie was very gentle and loved to play with kids at the zoo. One of the kids who loved Winnie as soon as he met her was Christopher Robin, son of author A. A. Milne, and the bedtime stories about Winnie that followed the zoo visit eventually became a book.
The book, besides being beautifully illustrated, contains amazing photos of Winnie. Great non-fiction option!
Age range: 4 and up.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
Winnie (short for Winnipeg) was an American black bear who had her mom shot when she was around 7 months old. The shooter only realized about the cub after he shot the mom. He didn't want to let her by herself, but he couldn't take care of her either, so he decided to sell her. Harry Colebourn, veterinarian and soldier, bought her in a Canadian train station. Winnie became the mascot of Harry's regiment, and when the regiment moved from Canada to England when World War I started, Winnie went with them. As the war worsened and the regiment had to go to the French front, Harry decided to leave Winnie in the London Zoo until the end of the war so she wouldn't be at risk, but by that moment Winnie was so used to her new home, that Harry decided to don't take her with him to Winnipeg again. Winnie was very gentle and loved to play with kids at the zoo. One of the kids who loved Winnie as soon as he met her was Christopher Robin, son of author A. A. Milne, and the bedtime stories about Winnie that followed the zoo visit eventually became a book.
The book, besides being beautifully illustrated, contains amazing photos of Winnie. Great non-fiction option!
Age range: 4 and up.
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
April 22, 2015
What a fun book! This is the story of the real bear that inspired the A.A. Milne stories of Winnie the Pooh. The real Winnie was adopted by a Canadian soldier named Harry Colebourn in the early 1900s. His regiment was on its way to a training camp in Quebec and when their train stopped at a station a man was offering the orphaned baby bear up for adoption. Harry paid $20 for her and took her along to came with him. He named her Winnipeg after his company's home town. This was quickly shortened to Winnie, and the little bear was adopted by the whole regiment. She even came with them on a ship when they went to England! But when the men were sent on to the battlefields of France Henry knew that was no place for a bear. He found her a new home at the London Zoo, where Winnie, who was already used to people - found many new fans. Years later, a little boy named Christopher Robin visited the zoo with his father, and he was so enamored by the bear that his father eventually wrote him a story about her. This book will be a hit with all Winnie the Pooh fans, and it's short enough that even early chapter book readers will be able to get through it will a little help. For those who want more information, there are additional resources in the index. Fun!
March 2, 2015
When Harry Colebourn looked out of the train window, he couldn't believe what he saw: a bear at the station!
Veternarian Harry Colebourn was on his way to train as a soldier when he saw a bear cub for sale at a train station. Buying the bear, he named her Winnipeg for his hometown in Canada and she became the mascot of his regiment. Arriving in England, Colebourn knew she needed a more permanent home and placed her in the London Zoo. She had many visitors including a little boy named Christopher Robin Milne who would use her name for his teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh.
I knew parts of the origin story of Winnie-the-Pooh before reading this book, mainly that A.A. Milne's son got the name of his teddy bear from a bear he visited in the London Zoo. I did not however know how Winnie got to the zoo in the first place. I highly enjoyed the story and the pictures in the book. The author's note and photographs included at the end of the book added a special touch.
I would recommend this to animal lovers and those who loved the Winnie-the-Pooh books. It is a cute, sweet book for all ages.
Veternarian Harry Colebourn was on his way to train as a soldier when he saw a bear cub for sale at a train station. Buying the bear, he named her Winnipeg for his hometown in Canada and she became the mascot of his regiment. Arriving in England, Colebourn knew she needed a more permanent home and placed her in the London Zoo. She had many visitors including a little boy named Christopher Robin Milne who would use her name for his teddy bear, Winnie-the-Pooh.
I knew parts of the origin story of Winnie-the-Pooh before reading this book, mainly that A.A. Milne's son got the name of his teddy bear from a bear he visited in the London Zoo. I did not however know how Winnie got to the zoo in the first place. I highly enjoyed the story and the pictures in the book. The author's note and photographs included at the end of the book added a special touch.
I would recommend this to animal lovers and those who loved the Winnie-the-Pooh books. It is a cute, sweet book for all ages.
November 21, 2015
Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Animals: Black Bear
Because Winnie-the-Pooh is a perfect read-aloud for this age, fans of the adorable stuffed bear will love his real-life inspiration. On his way to military training, Harry the veterinarian picks up an orphan bear from a hunter and decides to bring him along to training. Harry soon is called to the battlefield to care for the horses and he must makre the difficult decision to leave Winnie in the care of the London Zoo. Although war is mentioned as a part of the plot, we are never taken to the battlefield.
Kids will love the compelling story of a man and bear friendship plus Winnie's endearing personality. Soft watercolor illustrations make this a perfect bedtime book with a sweet and happy ending for Winnie.
For inquiring minds (as the story is rather short) additional resources available at the end with actual photographs of Winnie, Harry, and Christopher Robin.
Animals: Black Bear
Because Winnie-the-Pooh is a perfect read-aloud for this age, fans of the adorable stuffed bear will love his real-life inspiration. On his way to military training, Harry the veterinarian picks up an orphan bear from a hunter and decides to bring him along to training. Harry soon is called to the battlefield to care for the horses and he must makre the difficult decision to leave Winnie in the care of the London Zoo. Although war is mentioned as a part of the plot, we are never taken to the battlefield.
Kids will love the compelling story of a man and bear friendship plus Winnie's endearing personality. Soft watercolor illustrations make this a perfect bedtime book with a sweet and happy ending for Winnie.
For inquiring minds (as the story is rather short) additional resources available at the end with actual photographs of Winnie, Harry, and Christopher Robin.
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