A true story, Winnie the Bear is the biography of a Canadian black bear named after the city of Winnipeg and adopted by Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, a kind veterinarian, who was en route overseas at the beginning of World War One. Colebourn nurtured the young cub at training camps in Valcartier, Quebec and on the Salisbury Plains.

Appleby takes us through Winnie and Harry's journey and through the story of her research, all the more fascinating for her family's connection to Harry Colebourn. Appleby's insights into the remarkable chain of events in Winnie the Bear's life reveal the bear's truly inspirational role in the creation of A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh books.

Winnie's the Bear tracks.

"An act of kindness—the adoption of a small bear cub—by a man predisposed to such acts was a catalyst for many remarkable stories. Winnie provided a welcome distraction as a mascot for the Canadian troops. Her personality caught the attention of the British people during a time of conflict and great uncertainty, and her calm temperament led a young boy to her. Winnie's unique characteristics and benevolent manner triggered the imagination of that boy and his father, and helped launch one of the most loved characters in fiction."
- Excerpt from Winnie the Bear

News

Join us for cake...

August 20, 2014

Happy Birthday Winnie! Winnie the Bear turns 100 this year. Join us for birthday cake and a special presentation, "Five Things You May Not Know About Winnie" by M. A. Appleby in the Atrium at McNally Robinson Grant Park, Aug. 20, 2014 at 7pm. You will have a chance to listen to the presentation, ask some questions, view film footage of Winnie from 1915 and have a piece of birthday cake in Winnie's honour. A book signing of Winnie the Bear will follow the event. Please see the McNally Robinson event page for more information.

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Winnie the Bear & the Royal Visit

May 21, 2014

M. A. Appleby is honoured to have presented two copies of her book Winnie the Bear to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales &  Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall  at the Winnie the Pooh Gallery in Assiniboine Park.

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Winnie the Bear Paperback Edition Now Available

May 16, 2014

We are proud to announce that the new paperback edition of Winnie the Bear is now available on Amazon.com. This 2014 reprint features a new subtitle (The True Story behind A. A. Milne's Famous Bear) and a new Author's Note. A Kindle version is forthcoming.

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