The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

Reviewed by: Brooke Faulkner - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2015

Review

A well-researched, engaging picture book biography about veterinarian Harry Colebourn, whose story begins when he buys a black bear cub that would later inspire A.A. Milne's classic "Winnie-the-Pooh" stories off a train platform while on route to a military training camp in Quebec. Using simple but effective phrasing ("Winnie was a good sailor. Harry wasn't."), Walker recounts the journey of Colebourn and his bear, who he named "Winnipeg" for his company's hometown and eventually shortened to "Winnie," to England and their separation at the height of World War I, when Colebourn was moved to the battle front in France and found a home for Winnie at the London Zoo. It was at the zoo that the fateful encounter between Winnie and Christopher Robin, A.A. Milne's son, took place. Detailed, lovely watercolors in a muted color palette move with the story and set a gentle, almost sweet tone, which suits the text well. Walker, whose previous stellar non-fiction includes "Written in Bone" and "Blizzards of Glass" includes an informative author's note and a short bibliography, including website and video references. Young children who are fans of Winnie-the-Pooh will find this fascinating and it would work well paired with Milne's stories in a classroom setting.

Overall Book Score: excellent