Paddington Bear by Michael Bond

Paddington Bear Reviews

• 
  Jason Koivu

  * * *Read & Reviewed by Me & My Niece Emma * * *
  
  A classic for the ages!...that completely fell on deaf ears.
  
  Perhaps the issue is that the ears are new and not British? I thought this would be a grand hit with my young niece, but it turned out to be a dud. She couldn't get through it quick enough. Granted, there was a swimming pool awaiting with her name on it, but still, I don't think this book would've gone over well even without the extraneous distraction.
  
  I was quite looking forward to it, having never read this famed story, but even I have to admit it plodded along rather slowly and with little reward. My British-born friends laughingly call me more "British" than them and since everything about Paddington Bear is very Britishy (even though the bear himself comes from Darkest Peru), I still had to concede to Emma's obvious boredom. Mishaps with tea time jam were the most enjoyment we could wring from this and it just wasn't cutting the mustard...however, if it cut the cheese we would've been rolling on the floor in stitches.
  
  Never has Emma pressured me to skip lines and whole pages quite like she did with Paddington, so the needle on the Emma-o-meter never got remotely close to "amused".
• 
  Manny

  
  Don't believe everything you read on the Internet, part 94
  
  On
  this page, I recently read, to my considerable surprise, that "There is a large brass statue of Winnie-the-Pooh in Lima, Peru". If only this had been true, it would have been a wonderful trivia question: of course, if there were any large bear statue there, you'd automatically assume it was Paddington. But in fact, a little more googling leaves me more or less certain that it's a hoax. No one who has tried to find evidence for this statue has turned up anything at all.
  
  Damn! I feel so gullible. But just to be on the safe side, I'll ask a Peruvian friend if she knows anything about it.
  _____________________________________
  
  My Peruvian informant answered promptly:

  Hahahahaha, nope, we have no Pooh bear in Lima. We have some llamas instead of flames of freedom though...is a funny story...but I can totally confirm that Winnie the Pooh is not venerated /worshiped in my country and have no brass statue.

  Well, that sounds pretty definite. But I still don't understand why anyone would want to create such a remarkably pointless internet legend...
• 
  Sheila Beaumont

  This a shortened version of the first Paddington story with lovely color illustrations.
• 
  Gerry

  I often wondered how Paddington Bear became a resident of 32 Windsor Gardens … I knew he was discovered on Paddington Station, thus his name, but how Mr and Mrs Brown came to adopt him I was not sure. Well, now I know.
  
  Waiting to meet their daughter Judy at Paddington Station they spotted something small and furry near the left luggage office; 'It looks like a bear,' said Mr Brown to which Mrs Brown replied, 'A bear? On Paddington Station? Don't be silly Henry. There can't be.'
  
  But indeed it was a bear, sitting on an old leather suitcase marked 'Wanted on Voyage'. As they approached it the bear raised its hat and said, 'Good afternoon. May I help you?' They told him that they had thought that, rather, they may be able to help him and asked where he was from. He told them 'Darkest Peru', adding, 'I'm not really supposed to be here. I'm a stowaway.'
  
  Astounded that he had come all the way from Peru, Mrs Brown asked what he did for food on the journey. The bear unlocked his suitcase and took out an almost empty glass jar. 'I ate marmalade,' said the bear, 'Bears like marmalade.'
  
  Mrs Brown then noticed a label around the bear's neck and it stated, 'Please look after this bear. Thank you.' Mrs Brown took pity on the bear and asked her husband if he could stay with them. Mr Brown asked the bear if he would like that, to which the bear replied, 'Oooh, yes. I would like that very much . I've nowhere to go and everyone seems to be in such a hurry.' (That's London for you!)
  
  That settled matters and, deciding that the bear should be called Paddington after the station at which he had been found, Mr Brown took him to the snack bar to have some food. There were plenty of snacks on offer so Paddington climbed onto the table to have a closer look as Mr Brown turned away, pretending that he had tea with a bear on Paddington Station every day of his life. Soon thereafter Mrs Brown arrived with their daughter and Paddington, ever polite, jumped up to doff his hat. But in doing so he trod on a strawberry tart, skidded on the cream and fell into his cup of tea.
  
  Before any other disaster befell Paddington the Browns set off for home to meet housekeeper Mrs Bird and Judy's brother Jonathan. The hailed a taxi and the driver declared, 'Bears are extra!' as they got inside. On the way Paddington waved to some people waiting at a bus stop and he was very pleased when many of them waved back at him.
  
  They arrived at Windsor Gardens and Paddington's knees began to wobble when the Browns told him he was to meet Mrs Bird. He wondered if she would like him but he need not have worried for, after expressing surprise at them having a bear with them, she said, as Paddington politely raised his hat to her, 'Well, he has good manners, I'll say that for him.'
  
  Paddington was still covered in cream so Mrs Bird decided that he should have a bath - 'I think she likes you,' whispered Judy. He had never been in a bath before and he had trouble in getting out, so much so that he called loudly for help and Jonathan and Judy rushed in to rescue him.
  
  All dry and lovely and clean he went downstairs and the Browns provided him with a small armchair while Mrs Bird gave him a pot of tea and some buttered toast and marmalade. Mrs Brown then said, 'Now, you must tell us all about yourself.' Paddington began by telling them that he was brought up by his Aunt Lucy but she had to go into a Home for Retired Bears in Lima.' Then there was silence and the Browns wondered why until they looked closely and Paddington had fallen fast asleep.
  
  Paddington Bear had arrived at his spiritual home!
• 
  bella ⋆ฺ｡*:･

  esse urso é tudo pra mim 💛
• 
  Gretel

  I'm 29 and this is the first time I've read Paddington.
  Even though my second home was the town's library and I'm sure that they had Paddington, I never came across this book. I was busy reading maaaany other stories and books that were for older kids. But I bought this book for my youngest nephew today and seized the chance to finally read it!
  
  Paddington is one fluffy adorable bear. I love bears. And this bear here is so cute, innocent and dorky, I can only but love him. It almost made me tear up (although that might be partially due to hormones because right before shark week I tend to be very easily saddened...I'm sure some women know what I'm talking about...).
  It's fantastically illustrated and I love the calmness.
  But know I need to know his life story! Why Peru? Bears in Peru? I'm so confused and intrigued!
  
  Paddington won my heart.
• 
  Cindy

  Charming short version of "A Bear Named Paddington". Probably helps that Paddington's face looks exactly like my adorable Yorkie.
• 
  Hapzydeco

  Classic Paddington written for the small child in all of us. Marvelous illustrations emphasize the incredible red hat.
• 
  Gerry

  I knew when I saw this book in the bookshop that I had read it but I did not recognise the edition, so being a Paddington devotee, I bought it. And I am glad I did for it is large format with full page illustrations that are superb and enhance the story no end. In addition, the title of this edition is 'Paddington: The original story of the bar from Peru' and the cover illustration is different.
  
  As all Paddington fans know, the Browns discovered the bear near the left luggage office on Paddington station, and this is where his name comes from once the Browns had made the momentous decision to take him home to 32 Windsor Gardens. What possibly swayed it for the browns was the sign that was attached to the bear's pocket as it read 'Please look after this bear. Thank you.
  
  And they did, introducing him to their children and their nanny Mrs Bird. This was after they had all had a snack with Paddington getting into a right mess with the scones, cream and jam! So a bath was called for and again that ended up in quite a mess, too!
  
  But Jonathan and Judy Brown loved Paddington and very soon he was an integral part of the family, even falling asleep in the armchair while he was telling the Browns about his background.
  
  A lovely book to read and to own - even two copies!
• 
  Ekaterina Toncheva

  It is present from Issi. I love it.
• 
  Rheetha Lawlor

  I know, I know, it’s a kid’s book and I’m counting it. But I saw the movie so I may as well say I’ve read the book. I actually appreciate the holes the movie filled in, but the essence of the book is well portrayed in the movie, save the teenage attitudes in the movie. Kind of makes me want a Paddington hat.
• 
  Paul

  A wonderful classic.
  And with the addition of our own cuddly bear to match it makes a fun read.
  The bath scene is a dangerous lesson for a three year old though.
• 
  Belinda Vlasbaard

  3,25 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover
  
  Wie kent beertje Paddington niet. Je zou hem toch zo in huis nemen? Ondanks alle ongelukjes zeg maar.
• 
  Kathy Davie

  This is a re-issue of the first (and original) A Bear Called Paddington in the Paddington Bear children’s picture book series and revolving around a tiny stowaway of a bear who comes to London.
  
  My Take
  Too, too cute with a bear who is unfailingly polite. Only. Only I was disappointed with how abruptly the story ended. It felt unfinished.
  
  The pictures are amazingly detailed without being overwhelming, and it was sweet how accepting the Browns are of this bear. Even if it can be embarrassing. Or expensive!
  
  Bond uses third-person objective point-of-view, as we don’t get into the thoughts of any of the characters.
  
  The Story
  Poor Mr. Brown goes along with his wife, no matter how embarrassing it is, when she insists on taking this poor bear home.
  
  Well, after being raised in Darkest Peru, Paddington gets into all sorts of trouble as he explores an English home from the steam on the bathroom mirror and shaving cream as drawing materials…and trying to get out of a bathtub!
  
  The Characters
  Paddington Bear was named for the railway station, and he is from Peru. Aunt Lucy brought him up until she had to go into a Home for Retired Bears.
  
  Henry and Mary Brown were the first to meet Paddington when they were at the train station to meet their daughter, Judy. Jonathan is their son. Mrs. Bird is their housekeeper.
  
  The Cover and Title
  The cover has a warm cream background with a ragged-edge border on both sides and script title in a soft periwinkle blue. The author’s name is at the top in a deep, deep blue with the illustrator’s name at the bottom in the same blue. In between is a short, squat brown bear with a very curious twinkle in his eyes. He’s in a blue winter coat with toggle buttons and a red rain hat, carrying a light brown valise (that will be “wanted on voyage”) and a jar of marmalade. A tag ensures Paddington’s care on his trip as it asks that one “Please look after this bear. Thank You”.
  
  The title is Paddington train station…or is it for the bear's name?
• 
  Gabrielle Sandford-Marshall

  Such a beautiful story for children to enjoy. I based a day’s learning around this text. The children were taught instructional writing and they enjoyed making and tasting marmalade sandwiches as a whole-class activity (SEN inclusive activity). There are many opportunities from this text and children can relate to Paddington and the items that make him feel at home... a jar of marmalade!
• 
  Kayleigh

  Paddington Bear fits so well with Christmas
• 
  Faith

  I cried like a baby reading this, Paddington is JUST TOO CUTE
• 
  Afsana Banana

  Five stars is not enough, to rate it anything less is a crime.
• 
  Jane Scholey

  Got to love the bear!
• 
  Книжни Криле

  Мечето Падингтън е един от най-емблематичните герои на британската детска литература! Рунтавият любител на сандвичите с мармалад, създаден от писателя Майкъл Бонд, днес е един от символите на Великобритания, наред с Биг Бен, кралските гвардейци и червените автобуси. По популярност му съперничи единствено Мечо Пух! Макар и вече на близо 60 години, Падингтън винаги запазва присъщата си детска невинност и вродено любопитство. Прочетете интервюто на "Книжни Криле":
  
  
  https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
• 
  Siobhan

  A wonderful read from my childhood, one I’d certainly suggest for other youngsters. Whilst it is not my all-time favourite childhood read I can still recall all the details of this one meaning it certainly left a lasting impression upon my young mind.
  
  And isn’t that what we want with children’s books, for them to leave a positive lasting impression?
• 
  Adam Balshan

  2.5 stars [Children's]
  Paddington is well-illustrated, and a classic of British children's literature. The 'moral of the story' isn't very clear, but if there is one, it might be an early attempt to make one see beyond a foreign thing's appearance (a beast: a bear) and its exotic origin ("darkest Peru"). Short and sweet.
• 
  Anh

  1. Từ hôm nay ngoại trừ hội mê chim cú, mình sẽ gia nhập thêm hội mê gấu :))
  2. Sau khi mượn đọc ké, lát nữa tan làm sẽ ra nhà sách tậu 1 cuốn về để dành sau này đọc cho con nghe trước giờ ngủ (trong trường hợp việc lấy chồng có nhiều tín hiệu khả quan) :v :v :v
  3. Ngoài lề thôi, quận 1 đang mưa quá mưa, sao về??? T.T
• 
  Vivian

  I LOVE PADDINGTON WITH ALL MY HEART.
  But I did not realise that this $4.99 edition that I bought from Aldi today was an abridged version of the first book in the series, so now I'm a lil disappointed, but this is still cute as shit so.
• 
  Jenna

  Iki-ihana karhuherra Paddington seikkailee tässä kuvakirjassa Brownin perheeseen asumaan! Tämä kuvakirja sopii pienempien kuulijoiden lukutuokioon, sillä aukeamilla on sopivan mittainen tekstin pätkä ja isot, kauniit kuvat tutkittavaksi.
• 
  Steven R. McEvoy

  Padding books were favourites of mine when I was a child. Just read this one with my son and he loved and and wants to read more.
• 
  Joanne Roberts

  Sweet adaptation of the meeting of the Browns and Paddington. Includes a few quick mishaps with perfectly realized illustrations. A great introduction for the younger reader.