Caldecott Award Winning Book (2016)
Finding Winnie by: Lindsay Mattick
Title / Author & Illustrator
The Caldecott Award Winning Book that I chose to read is the book titled
Finding Winnie: the true story of the world's most famous bear by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
The Caldecott Award Winning Book that I chose to read is the book titled
Finding Winnie: the true story of the world's most famous bear by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
Why Did I Choose This Book?
I chose this book because I loved how it allows a young reader to explore historical background of what inspired the author A.A. Milne to write his Winnie-the-Pooh books, which include "Winnie" the Pooh and Christopher Robin, as its main characters. As a child, I was a fan of the Winnie-the-Pooh series as well as its other characters. That year, I virtually attended the ALA Youth Media Awards and was interested when this book won the Caldecott Award. I had to read it!
I believe what stands out is the story of a bear, who was different. She was domesticated and became a part of the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade in World War II. The historical element of explaining to children about the World War II through Captain Harry Colebourn being miles away from home is depicted in the sketches of his journey through land and sea. His sympathy led him to purchase Winnie from the trapper.
I believe the ability to show the connection that developed between Harry, Winnie and the Brigade shows a heartwarming story, that will connect Winnie-the-Pooh fans and readers that may not be familiar.
As a reader, I felt sadness when Harry made the decision to put Winnie in the London Zoo, before he departed for France. I believe that the illustrations by Blackall, did an excellent job of conveying emotion. One example was on the page that states, “I know you want to come, but it’s not safe. Winnie’s head bowed." (Mattick 31).Text
I chose this book because I loved how it allows a young reader to explore historical background of what inspired the author A.A. Milne to write his Winnie-the-Pooh books, which include "Winnie" the Pooh and Christopher Robin, as its main characters. As a child, I was a fan of the Winnie-the-Pooh series as well as its other characters. That year, I virtually attended the ALA Youth Media Awards and was interested when this book won the Caldecott Award. I had to read it!
I believe what stands out is the story of a bear, who was different. She was domesticated and became a part of the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade in World War II. The historical element of explaining to children about the World War II through Captain Harry Colebourn being miles away from home is depicted in the sketches of his journey through land and sea. His sympathy led him to purchase Winnie from the trapper.
I believe the ability to show the connection that developed between Harry, Winnie and the Brigade shows a heartwarming story, that will connect Winnie-the-Pooh fans and readers that may not be familiar.
As a reader, I felt sadness when Harry made the decision to put Winnie in the London Zoo, before he departed for France. I believe that the illustrations by Blackall, did an excellent job of conveying emotion. One example was on the page that states, “I know you want to come, but it’s not safe. Winnie’s head bowed." (Mattick 31).Text
How is the story told?
The story is told through the mother of the young boy named Cole who asks his mother for a "A true story. One about a bear" (Mattick 2).
I believe that the text matches the illustrations and when the reader turns the page, it seems to neutrally flow to the next.
Are the sentence or plot structures make the story predictable?
When I first read the story, the plot structure did not seem predictable. First, I did not realize that Winnie would join Harry as he traveled with the brigade.
However, I did notice that there was a change in the plot, when Harry and Winnie went for a ride "all the way to the Big City" (Mattick 29-30). I did not realize what the change would be specifically, however I knew it would change when I read a few pages ago, with the line that states, "The time had come to fight"(Mattick 28).
What is your reaction to the story? Do you feel any connection to it?
When I first read the story, the plot structure did not seem predictable. First, I did not realize that Winnie would join Harry as he traveled with the brigade.
However, I did notice that there was a change in the plot, when Harry and Winnie went for a ride "all the way to the Big City" (Mattick 29-30). I did not realize what the change would be specifically, however I knew it would change when I read a few pages ago, with the line that states, "The time had come to fight"(Mattick 28).
Style Art
Realistic
Artist's Media & Technique
Medium: Drawing
Techniques: Color Sketching
Book Illustrations
What colors are used?
I believe that the illustrations by Blackall were well done through the choice of warm colors and earth tones, such as yellow, green, brown and beige. In addition, there are light shades of colors and pastels. Illustrations such as the scene depicting the boats across the Atlantic Ocean show texture in the method in which the water was sketched. It shows movement in the tides of the water.
Through observation, I noticed that scenes of the story have paler colors as opposed to happier scenes that have brighter colors, like pastel yellow and green.
How do the illustrations fit into the book as a whole?
I believe that the illustrations do a good job of relating to the story.
In addition, it complements the story by displaying details in the color sketches by the colors chosen and emotions depicted through the characters.
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean (Mattick 23-24).
Harry and Winnie saying Goodbye
“I know you want to come, but it’s not safe. Winnie’s head bowed." (Mattick 31-32).
Winnie and Christopher Robin at the London Zoo (Mattick 39-40).
References
Halton Reads. (n.d.). Retrieved September 04, 2017, from http://pil.hdsb.ca/library-1/halton-reads
Mattick, L., Blackall, S., & Kellgren, K. (2015). Finding Winnie: the true story of the worlds most famous bear. New York: Little, Brown.
Mid-Hudson Library System -- Finding Winnie : the true story of the world's most famous bear / by Lindsay Mattick ; illustrated by Sophie Blackall. (n.d.). Retrieved September 04, 2017, from http://search.midhudsonlibraries.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2209756__Sfinding%20winnie_
Popova, M. (2016, March 06). Finding Winnie: The Improbable and Touching Real-Life Story of the Baby Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. Retrieved September 04, 2017, from https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/03/02/finding-winnie-mattick-blackall/
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