A Bear Called Paddington (Paddington)

Gr 2-5--The story featuring the marmalade-loving bear was first published in 1958 by William Collins & Son (now known as HarperCollins). The classic tale begins when a bear from Peru winds up in London's Paddington Station and is subsequently adopted by the Brown family (humans from the Notting Hill area). Unfailingly polite and affecting a rather shabby charm--accomplished in no small part by Peggy Fortnum's delightful line drawings--Paddington went on to have dozens of adventures over the years, spawning more than 50 titles translated into over 30 languages. A Bear Called Paddington covers the initial discovery of the bear at the train station and his first few days acclimating to life with the Browns as well as numerous episodic chapters filled with humorous mishaps. More About Paddington continues on a similar theme and includes episodes of the bubbling bear attempting to help with interior decorating, assisting at a bonfire party, and celebrating his first Christmas. With a major motion picture coming out in January 2015, a whole new generation of young readers will be introduced to the well-meaning, but ever accident-prone, bear.

(Original review from 1960)

English children have been acquainted with Paddington for some time and love the small bear who was taught by his aunt in Darkest Peru to speak English- but apparently wasn't taught how to live in polite society. Now for the first time, Paddington is being introduced to American children. Utter and lovable nonsense this- but somehow one reads with enchantment and credulity about Paddington and his marmalade, Paddington and the sticky cream buns, Paddington and a succession of mishaps, all in good faith. It's all very English- but then so are Alice and Mary Poppins and Peter Pan and a host of other favorites of makebelieve. Illustrated in line by Peggy Fortnum. This is the sort of book best shared in a family read aloud.