A Bear Called Paddington

March has been set aside to celebrate the idea that “Humorists are Artists.” Funny books are among the hardest things to write for children—and often the writers get less respect than their more serious counterparts. I am, therefore, always happy when the Almanac can celebrate humor and humorists.

Published in 1958, Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington has been making children and families chuckle for more than fifty years. As his creator states in the 50th anniversary edition of the book, Paddington the Bear from Darkest Peru has his head in the clouds, his feet on the ground, “and a strong sense of right and wrong.”

But like so many books of the fifties coming out of Britain, the Paddington saga had its roots in the experiences of the author during and before World War II. As a child Michael Bond watched newsreels of children being evacuated from London, with just a label around their neck and a suitcase. After the war, he began working for the BBC, monitoring services at Caversham Park where Polish and Russian refugees arrived.  During the day he worked as a cameraman on programs like Blue Peter for the BBC, and at night, in his spare time, he took these experiences and transformed them into delightfully funny stories.

A very polite stuffed toy, Paddington the Bear arrives in London with a suitcase and a tag around his neck that says, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” Fortunately, he quickly gets adopted by the Brown family, and they name him after the station where they find him. Paddington, who loves marmalade and all types of food, manages to get himself and the Browns in various messes, sticky or otherwise. He behaves, in fact, like many two- or three-year-old children. On a shopping trip for new clothes, for instance, Paddington creates havoc while still managing to draw a lot of shoppers to the store—hence all is forgiven.

For more than fifty years, the book has been perfect as a read-aloud or first chapter book for those four through ten. The 50th anniversary edition contains glorious full-color art by Peggy Fortnum, the original illustrator of all the Paddington volumes. Ernest and thoughtful, but also a whirlwind, Paddington gets to do the kinds of things children might like to do—with none of the consequences.

Michael Bond admits to being inordinately fond of his creation, this free spirit who comes and goes as he pleases. “In my next life—if there is such a thing—I wouldn’t mind being a bear. Provided, of course, I could be a bear like Paddington.” Well, I have always been grateful that Michael Bond, who I got to travel with on book tour, was a polite and thoughtful writer rather than a bear. Today a tip of my hat to him and his best creation, Paddington the Bear. Michael Bond is a true artist—one who can make children and parents laugh, again and again.

Here’s a passage from A Bear Called Paddington: