Cole already knows the tale of the bear that inspired the Winnie the Pooh books. When he wants a new bedtime story, his mother decides he’s old enough to hear more about Winnie. Expanding on the picture book Finding Winnie, this story begins with a bear cub orphaned after its mother is killed by a hunter. The cub wreaks havoc when it’s taken in by the hunter’s child before being adopted by a Canadian veterinarian (Cole’s great-great-grandfather, Henry Colebourn) headed to training for World War I military service. Winnie—short for Winnipeg—has a special rapport with horses and rats on board the ship, brokering a peace between them, while she provides companionship and delight for many behind the lines in Europe before the veterinarian realizes war is too dangerous for Winnie and arranges for the London Zoo to take her. It is there she eventually meets a boy named Christopher Robin Milne and his writer father. At times funny, moving, tender, and sad, Winnie’s tale is always firmly centered on the loving relationship between a bear and his human and full of child-appeal. Charming illustrations introduce each chapter, and a concluding “Coleburn Family Archive” offers family photographs and artifacts. (Ages 7–12)

From the creative team behind the Caldecott Medal–winning Finding Winnie—a World War I adventure seen through the eyes of the world’s most beloved bear.

A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year

Horn Book Fanfare

NYPL one hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing

Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Book Links Lasting Connections

Bookpage Best Book of the Year

“A buoyant, thoughtful narrative with strong themes of friendship, courage, loyalty and kindness. . . . This engaging little novel would make a wonderful read-aloud in the classroom or at bedtime.” —Canadian Children’s Book News

Even as a cub, there was something special about that bear. She longed to climb higher than any bear had ever gone. She wasn’t afraid to ask a squirrel for help. She wondered if there was anything bigger than the Woods.

And then, on August twenty-four, 1914, she met Lieutenant Harry Colebourn. He named her Winnie and made her the mascot of the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade. Together they crossed the ocean to where the Great War raged. It was a time of close calls, thrilling triumphs, painful sacrifice, and great friendship. By war’s end, millions knew her name when she became the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh.

“Oh my, how I love Winnie’s Great War. An incandescent celebration of friendship and courage, this perfect little book is one to cherish. A triumph.” —Katherine Applegate, author of the Endling series and The One and Only Ivan