M. A. Appleby grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in anthropology and psychology at the University of Winnipeg in 1980. She moved to Detroit in 1983, where she completed a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology. M. A. has spent 27 years working in the field of clinical psychology. She and her family currently reside in the old Wolseley neighbourhood in the heart of Winnipeg. Winnie the Bear is her first book.
Dominion Street Publishing is a small publishing house in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
P. R. Hayes is a Winnipeg artist whose interest in history is reflected in his subject matter. Philip's artwork belongs in the collections of the Province of Manitoba and 1 Canadian Air Division. He has also been featured in Canada's History Magazine.
Winnie the Bear's story has been greatly enhanced by Philip's beautiful and timeless images.
Winnie the Bear follows the life of one Canadian black bear cub from her adoption in 1914 by Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian, to becoming a celebrated star at the London Zoo. Her many admirers at the Zoo included A. A. Milne and his young son Christopher, who adored Winnie and gave her a unique name. Appleby takes us along to discover the inspirational role of Winnie the Bear in A. A. Milne's creation of the much loved character Winnie-the-Pooh.
"Anyone who enjoys a good story will get a kick out of this artfully written book. Appleby has dug up the 'real story' of A.A. Milne and his legendary creation Winnie-the-Pooh, and she proves that true stories are sometimes more interesting than fictional ones."
- Jake MacDonald, bestselling author of many books, including: In Bear Country, Grizzlyville and Juliana and the Medicine Fish
"Mary Anne Appleby's book about Winnie the bear is wonderful. It's a moving biography of Winnie that traces her life from the time she was a cub until she passed away in the London Zoo. It tells the story of Dr. Harry Colebourn, who adopted the bear as a mascot while on his way to serve in the Great War...The book is also a lovely tribute to Colebourn's son and Appleby's own father, [both of whom] played important roles in linking the famous bear to Winnipeg. Appleby skillfully weaves these stories together with the story of her own search for the truth about Winnie the bear, producing what is definitely a good read."
- Jim Blanchard, bestselling author of: Winnipeg's Great War and Winnipeg 1912