A Bear Called Paddington

By Michael Bond and Peggy Fortnum

“A bear on Paddington Station?” said Mrs Brown in amazement. “Don’t be silly – there can’t be.”

The Browns first met Paddington on a railway station – Paddington station, in fact. He had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru with only a jar of marmalade, a suitcase and his hat.

The Browns soon find that Paddington is a very unusual bear. Ordinary things – like having a bath, travelling underground or going to the seaside become quite extraordinary, if a bear called Paddington is involved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Jan 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9780007372843

Michael Bond

Michael Bond began chronicling Paddington’s adventures in his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, published in 1958. Fortunately, bears don’t need much encouragement, and Paddington has since filled the pages of twelve further novels, a variety of picture books, and many other projects written for the young at heart.

Reviews for A Bear Called Paddington

[sean191 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The writing is a little dated in this classic, but in a pleasant way. It's humorous throughout, but not laugh-out-loud funny. All the characters are great, the exciting scenes aren't too much for little ones to deal with. Overall, it shows why it's a classic and my kids enjoyed it as I read it to them over the course of a few nights.

[lycomayflower · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first Paddington Bear book. I had somehow never read these (or had them read to me) as a kid (though I still did know quite a lot about Paddington--the hat and the marmalade sandwiches and whatnot). The book is just a little too episodic for me to fall completely, smashingly in love with it as an adult, but gosh was it fun anyway. Very pleasant to pick up and read a chapter here and there. And the illustrations (Peggy Fortnum) are the best.

[eclecticdodo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't remember if I read these (or had them read to me) as a child. The stories are fairly familiar but that could be from the TV series. The edition I read was part of a beautiful set from Harper Collins for the Folio Society (NB not an actual FS publication), and that certainly added to my enjoyment. In this book we meet paddington and he settles into life with the Browns. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[catym_14 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After his Aunt Lucy moves into a home for retired bears, a small and rather sticky bear emigrates from darkest Peru with only a suitcase full of marmalade. The Brown family discover him at Paddington station and adopt him, and the bear (now rejoicing in the impressive name of Paddington) has lots of adventures across London which generally involve leaving sticky paw-prints all over the place, knocking things over, getting lost, and getting into trouble.It's not hard to see why this is a classic, beloved of generations of children. I spotted this book on sale for a minuscule sum while I was doing some Christmas shopping, and (being without children to buy it for) decided to indulge myself and revisit my childhood. I was very fond of my stuffed Paddington Bear - complete with blue duffel coat, red wellies and floppy hat - when I was about 4, and re-reading the stories was a nostalgic treat.

[dknight0918 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a delightful book. My daughter enjoyed it, too.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a collection of mildly amusing tales about a small bear who comes to live with a family in London.I recall reading this years ago and being just as underwhelmed at the time. Upon my reread I found the title character's antics irritating and quickly lost interest in the book. If I'd read this when I was a child I might have enjoyed it more.

[bobbybslax · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It doesn't have a narrative through-line like the films, but the slapstick stories are pleasant enough.

[neverstopreading-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't know how I haven't read Paddington Bear before. The stories of this good-natured, polite but accident-prone bear from Darkest Peru are a delightful escape for anyone.

[comfypants · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A small bear moves in with a British family.4/4 (Great).It's simple and doesn't have much depth, but Paddington is extremely adorable.

[joeydag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Classic children's book. Now I understand why Padington bears are sold in toy stores. Very human bear, quirky characters. I calculate I was 7 years old when it was written and can understand why he slipped under my radar.

[catherinestead · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After his Aunt Lucy moves into a home for retired bears, a small and rather sticky bear emigrates from darkest Peru with only a suitcase full of marmalade. The Brown family discover him at Paddington station and adopt him, and the bear (now rejoicing in the impressive name of Paddington) has lots of adventures across London which generally involve leaving sticky paw-prints all over the place, knocking things over, getting lost, and getting into trouble.It's not hard to see why this is a classic, beloved of generations of children. I spotted this book on sale for a minuscule sum while I was doing some Christmas shopping, and (being without children to buy it for) decided to indulge myself and revisit my childhood. I was very fond of my stuffed Paddington Bear - complete with blue duffel coat, red wellies and floppy hat - when I was about 4, and re-reading the stories was a nostalgic treat.

[mattpearson-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my best friends. Principled, curious and proud. Who wouldn't want to hang with a bear called Paddington?

[ctpress_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Seeing that something was expected of it the bear stood up and politely raised its hat, revealing two black ears. 'Good afternoon,' it said, in a small clear voice ... The bear puffed out its chest. 'I'm a very rare sort of bear,' he replied importantly. 'There aren't many of us left where I come from.' 'And where is that?' asked Mrs Brown. The bear looked round carefully before replying. 'Darkest Peru. I'm not really supposed to be here at all. I'm a stowaway.’”What a joy to listen to Stephen Fry’s narration of A Bear Called Paddington. Perfection.The sweet little bear from darkest Peru is found on Paddington Station and taken in by the Brown family. Paddington is clumsy and always get into trouble. “Things are always happening to me – I’m that sort of bear!” , as he comments. But he can also quickly become indignant and loose his temper. As when he’s being wrongly accused. “I'm not a criminal,” said Paddington, hotly. “I'm a bear!” .Oh, yes, dear Paddington. You are that sort of bear. That’s why we love you.

[valzi-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best children's books I've read. It doesn't compete with the other bear, Pooh, but it's not similar. It's wonderful in a way all its own.

[chazzifrazz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It has been a long time since I read this but I still remember the little bear who loved marmalade. Think it is time to re-read it!

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Maybe I should try this again some time. But I recall being bored, and a little annoyed. Maybe the toddler I had in the house at the time was enough?

[missbrandysue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Paddington is found by the Brown family in Paddington Station, London, England. He's emmigrated from Peru. Paddington is new to England and has a way of getting into trouble everywhere he goes, though he doesn't quite mean to. His charming qualities and the loving Brown family help him with his "close calls" with trouble. A charming set of mischievous adventures in which each chapter is a new story. Therefore, I think it would be great for children who struggle with comprehending across chapters but have a higher reading level. I love Paddington and can't wait to get back to London to get my own bear in Paddington Station! (Oh yes, there's a cart selling them as soon as you get off the trains arriving in the station.)

[saroz_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very cute; I can see why I loved these books as a kid. It's quite a rare (modern) kids' book that is essentially plotless, though; you could exchange the second half of this book with any other Paddington installment and no one would be any the wiser. The little bear's adventures are incredibly episodic! He has a child's logic, though, which is very engaging, and it's probably one of the rare examples of a proper book series built around the familiarity of "hooks," like a sitcom (Paddington's literal approach and love of marmalade, visits to Mr. Gruber, Mr. Curry's stinginess, etc.) - the sort of thing you often encounter in early children's storybooks, but rarely otherwise. That explains both the appeal, I think, as well as the age range of the readership; there's few books (the Winnie-the-Pooh books, perhaps) that are perfectly pitched at 6-year-olds: no longer the realm of picture books, but not yet the complicated realm of the children's novel. "Paddington" still holds up, even if the age of one-and-sixpence pocket money is now long gone.

[abbylibrarian_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I was a kid, we watched the Paddington tv show, but I'd never read the book. This classic story is sweet and funny and Stephen Fry is an excellent reader. This would be a great car-listening choice for families with young children.

[porch_reader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I was a girl, I owned a stuffed Paddington Bear, complete with hat and blue duffle coat. He and Curious George went everywhere with me. When the Bishop visited our small town church, my grandpa even arranged for them to meet and be blessed by the Bishop. That adventure reminds me of the many adventures of Paddington described in this book.This book is one of the [1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up]. I found a lovely 50th anniversary edition at my library (great drawings) and quickly found myself laughing at the antics of Paddington. As he states matter-of-factly in the beginning of the book, "Things are always happening to me. I'm that sort of bear."

[mslangdon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Part A/ClassicBond, M. (1958). A bear called Paddington. New York: Bantum Doubleday Dell.Paddington, a stowaway bear from Darkest Peru, is taken in by a family when they find him sitting alone at the Paddington Station, wearing a sign that states, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” Adjusting to his new life in England, Paddington frequently finds himself in interesting predicaments. The sketched illustrations add to the reader’s visualizations of Paddington’s small disasters.Readers are bound to love the endearing character of Paddington Bear, and will equally love the innocent predicaments he stumbles upon. Another book from this decade is Little Bear by Else Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a fun little book about a bear who is more like a little person. He's silly in his serious explorations of England, adopted by a kind family with two delighted children.

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I picked this up to read because my twenty-one year old daughter told me she still loves them and recently reread them. After reading it, I can see why. So warm and personable. I love the Brown family and their reception of Paddington, I love Paddington and his reception of life's experiences. I shall be reading more of these, books that make you laugh out loud should be read often.

[drruth_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charming classic about a peruvian bear who turns up in Paddington station wearing a tag that says "Please take care of this bear". He enters the Brown family and proceeds to wreak havoc in every imaginable way through actions as simple as taking a bath. A bear with a sharp eye for a bargain, he also has an enormous heart, but nevertheless always gets in over his head, just as children do. And he invariably gets in trouble with his neighbor, like a furry but well-intentioned Dennis the Menace. Essentially timeless. The first volume in the series and the best.