- a more detailed account of the original Winnie bear’s life as she travels overseas with a Canadian Infantry Brigade for WWI
- the trauma of war* is infused with just enough amusing moments** to keep the story age-appropriate
- many historical facts with some added fictional elements
- clean language and lovely artwork
Type: chapter book
Ages: 8-12
Authors: Lindsay Mattick, Josh Greenhut
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
*This included brief mentions of battles, bombings, deaths and difficult living environments.
**Readers will enjoy the parts that are in first person (Winnie) and her simple and sweet way of seeing the world.
We’ve loved the picture book Finding Winnie for years, so reading this chapter book recently was lovely! It’s written by an actual descendant of the original Harry Colebourn (the young man who bought the bear cub as well as trained her and loved her). Some of his diary entries are embedded into the story, which is a neat addition.
The back of the book includes some extra information for those interested!
I would recommend this to kids at least eight years old, both for the war moments and a couple emotional scenes (one is very near the beginning–the bear cub watches her mother die). There are also two very minor “conversation points” such as the mention of a gambling ring (on a hide & seek game with Winnie) and a conjecture about Stonehenge maybe having healing powers.
Overall, I recommend this charming tale!