Tag: childrens-literature

Finding Winnie

Lindsay Mattick, Author

Sophie Blackall, Illustrator

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mattick, Lindsay. 2015. FINDING WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS BEAR. Ill. by Sophie Blackall. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316324908. 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Finding Winnie is the true story behind the bear that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh adventures. The book begins as a story told by Lindsey to her son, Cole. She introduces Harry, a veterinarian and soldier who purchased a cub from a train station on his way to his post. He named the bear Winnipeg, Winnie for short, after the town he was from. The cub traveled with him and his unit but eventually ended up in the London Zoo. This is where Winnie would meet Christopher Robin, which would draw the inspiration for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Finding Winnie is a blend of history, biography and storytelling through the intimate retell of the life of Winnie-the-Pooh. Lindsay Mattick, paves a intimate narrative between a mother and her son which seem like just the telling of a random bed time story. However, as the story progresses, the family tree is shared and the connections of the story are drawn to emphasis the importance of this story. 

The illustrations of this book support the emotional and historical layers of the story line. It is detailed, intimate, and nostalgic to draw readers to move through the various timelines of the story. The illustration of the cub is done wit the intention of keeping a nonfiction perspective but also blending in with the cartoonish personality. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal – “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. VERDICT Children everywhere will enjoy this tale for years. A must-have.”

5. CONNECTIONS

  • A book that can be used for narrating nonfiction, history, and the real stories behind fictional characters.
  • Other Winnie-the-Pooh books:

Milne, A. A. WINNIE-THE-POOH. ISBN 9780525444435

Walker, Sally M. WINNIE: THE TRUE STORY OF THE BEAR WHO INSPIRED WINNIE-THE-POOH. ISBN 9780805097153Appelt, Kathi. MISS LADY BIRD’S WILDFLOWERS. ISBN 9780060011071

The Snowy Day

Ezra Jack Keats, Author

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Keats, Ezra Jack. 1962. THE SNOWY DAY. Ill. by Ezra Jack Keats. New York: Viking Press. ISBN 9780670654000. 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Peter wakes up to find that snow has fallen overnight in his neighborhood. In excitement, he puts on his red snowsuit and ventures outside to explore the fallen snow. He makes tracks in different directions and finds a stick that helps him knock snow off the tree. As he continues on his journey, he watches the older children have a snowball fight and decides to build a snowman, make snow angels, and save some snow for the next day in his pocket. When he returns home, he tells his mom about his adventure, ponders, and checks his pocket for the snow. To his sad surprise, the snow has melted, and he dreams that the sun has melted all the snow outside. However, when morning breaks, he finds that more snow has fallen and enjoys a new day of adventures with a friend.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Snowy Day is a gentle recount of a child’s experience with a snow day. Peter goes about his day enjoying the small discoveries such as footprints, snow angels, the disappointment of melting snow, and the excitement of waking up to a world of white and cold. It is a quiet book that does not overwhelm the reader, but rather allows them to enjoy the simplicity of seeing life through a child’s eyes. 

The illustrators are the main characters as they communicate the beauty and coldness of snow, but also the warmth of the sun as it melts the ice. Peter stands out in his beautiful red snow suit amongst the white blankets of snow. The author also uses words to imitate the crunch of snow or the plopping of the snow that fell on Peter. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal

The Horn Book: “In this book sparkling with atmosphere, a small boy experiences the joys of a snowy day. The brief, vividly expressed text points out his new awareness”

Publisher’s Weekly: “pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Books on Snow:

Glaser, Linda & Swan, Susan. It’s Winter! ISBN 0761316809

Fleming, Denise. The First Day of Winter. ISBN 0312371388

Branley, Franklyn M. & Keller, Holly. Snow is Falling. ISBN 0064451864