But of course I promised my kids I would get the first book and read it to them, and so I have! What a delight, too! Each chapter is really a short story about one of Paddington's adventures. They're all just the right length of time for an evening's reading session, with a few pen-and-ink drawings. So charming! The stories are all quite timeless, so there's no need to explain anything and the kids don't think it's old-fashioned. It's a bear at the seaside! A bear shopping for a new coat! It could take place anytime, any country, really. There is a recurring cast of characters, all of whom are in some way entangled in Paddington's misadventures. These include: Paddington Bear: 13 things you didn't know". The Telegraph. 4 October 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Paddington Bear writer's wartime Reading Podcast now online". Reading Borough Council. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012 . Retrieved 13 February 2012. More than 35m Paddington books have been sold worldwide, spawning toys, TV programmes and most recently the films.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington children's book, in 2018 an image of Paddington Bear (sitting at Paddington station) appeared on 50p coins in the UK. [89] His creator Michael Bond was the second author to have their character feature on the coin after Beatrix Potter whose literary creation Peter Rabbit appeared two years earlier. [90] The first Paddington Bear stuffed toy to be manufactured was created in 1972 by Gabrielle Designs, a small family business run by Shirley and Eddie Clarkson, with the prototype made as a Christmas present for their children Joanna and Jeremy Clarkson, a now well-known British TV presenter, writer and farmer. [13] Michael Bond had awarded the Clarksons the licensing of the toy rights throughout the world. [14] Riding High" – Paddington enters a gymkhana at Judy's school, at which the secret of his horsemanship is revealed.Goings-On at Number Thirty-two" – Paddington mistakes a man installing the Browns' new television for a burglar. The series introduced a much wider audience to the character, helped hugely, says Bond, by the timing. “It had the spot after children’s hour and before the evening news. It was the best of both worlds as it had the children there already and then grown-ups coming in for the news and seeing it as well.”

On 20 June 2016 StudioCanal acquired the Paddington franchise outright. Bond was allowed to keep the publishing rights to his series, [15] which he licensed in April 2017 to HarperCollins for the next six years. [16] Television writing [ edit ] Myers, Justin (17 November 2016). "The biggest selling Children In Need singles ranked". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 18 November 2016. Bond uses third-person objective point-of-view, as we don’t get into the thoughts of any of the characters. The 2017 Marks & Spencer Christmas advertisement for television shows Paddington mistaking a petty criminal for Santa Claus and helping him right the wrong by returning the gifts to their rightful owners. [88] Paddington Turns Detective" – Paddington investigates the disappearance of Mr Brown's prize marrow.

The bear inspired Bond to write a story and in ten days, he had written the first book. He named the bear Paddington as he lived near the station at the time and thought it would be a good name for the character. [10] Bond's daughter Karen states, "Had he lived in another part of the country or not travelled by train, he might never have come up with the idea for a bear being found on Paddington station." [10] The book was given to his agent, Harvey Unna. A Bear Called Paddington was first published on 13 October 1958 by William Collins & Sons. [11] [12] Paddington Bear [ edit ] Paddington Bear merchandise, including the stuffed toy, on sale at Paddington station I am writing this to you. And I hope that you will read it so you know. I guess I'm just another fan of yours, but I thought I'd write and tell you so. The New York Times praised the original book A Bear Called Paddington (1958). [73] Similarly, The Horn Book Guide, a bimonthly magazine dedicated to reviewing children's literature, praised the short story Paddington Helps Out (1960). [74] Both articles emphasise the welcoming Brown family and how the book captures Paddington's adventurous, charming, and funny attitude. [73] [74] Further, The New York Times' article highlights the resemblance of Paddington to a child, indicating that 6 to 9 year olds could enjoy both the colourful illustrations and the book's content. [73] a b "Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington". paddington.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017 . Retrieved 28 June 2017.

A Birthday Treat" – The Browns visit the seaside resort of Brightsea to celebrate Paddington's birthday. Whilst there, Paddington takes an interest in a new leisure activity. Paddington where? Author Michael Bond's daughter reveals truth of". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022 . Retrieved 19 July 2018. Paddington's adventures have sold over 35 million books, have been published in nearly 20 countries, in over 40 languages, and have inspired pop bands, race horses, plays, hot air balloons, movies and adaptations for television. [7] [10] Bond stated in December 2007 that he did not plan to continue the adventures of Paddington Bear in further volumes, [11] but in April 2014 it was reported that a new book, entitled Love From Paddington, would be published that autumn. In Paddington, a 2014 film based on the books, Bond had a credited cameo as the Kindly Gentleman. [12]Paddington and the 'Finishing Touch'" – Paddington seeks the 'finishing touch' to Mr Gruber's patio. Paddington Gives a Service" – Paddington helps out when a tennis doubles match in the Blue Peter studio needs a player at short notice. Richard Lea (11 December 2007). "Paddington Bear faces questions on asylum status". The Guardian. London . Retrieved 15 October 2008.

Since the first publication the Paddington books have sold more than thirty-five million copies worldwide and have been translated into over forty different languages, including Latin. As part of the promotion of film and to celebrate cross-cultural links between the UK and Peru, the British Embassy and StudioCanal commissioned a statue of Paddington in Parque Salazar in the Miraflores district of the Peruvian capital, Lima, which was unveiled in July 2015. [87]As the success of Paddington grew, Bond was forced to choose between his two careers and, in 1965, he gave up television to write full-time. He swiftly came up with the concept of The Herbs – a children’s show featuring Parsley the Lion and Dill the Dog – and partnered with the animation company FilmFair to write the scripts for that series, which the BBC commissioned to replace Bill and Ben, followed by The Adventures of Parsley. He was working with stop-motion director/producer Ivor Wood, who had made The Magic Roundabout, and who was keen to try animating Paddington.