More About Paddington By Michael Bond

Author: Michael Bond
Price: £45
Publisher: Collins, London, UK
Edition: First edition, fifth impression
Publication Date: 1968
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrapper
Condition: Very good plus in very good dustwrapper
Size: 14.2cm x 20.3cm
Pages: 128

Description:

 
Binding nice and tight. ‘Paddington’ card attached to front free endpaper. Foxing to the text block and light and very occasional foxing to the pages others pages generally nice and clean. Very good in good, slightly creased, price-clipped dustwrapper which is a little nicked, marked and rubbed and has a closed tear to the front panel and spine.

‘More About Paddington’: A Brief Account

 
“More About Paddington” continues the adventures of the endearing bear from darkest Peru as he settles further into life with the Brown family at 32 Windsor Gardens. True to form, Paddington’s attempts to be helpful, polite, and independent result in a delightful collection of mishaps, misunderstandings, and moments of quiet triumph.

The story unfolds as a series of charming, self-contained episodes, each showcasing Paddington’s unique blend of wide-eyed curiosity and sincere good intentions. Whether tackling a household chore, venturing out into London, or taking part in a local event, he always brings with him a trail of sticky paws, polite confusion, and plenty of marmalade.

In one of the earliest episodes, Paddington decides to take up photography. Having acquired a camera, he is determined to master the art of taking portraits. The Brown family becomes his first set of reluctant subjects, but his enthusiasm quickly overtakes his technique. Misunderstandings about shutter speeds, film loading, and framing lead to a series of blurry, off-centre, and entirely unintentional results. Still, Paddington remains proud of his efforts—and the family can’t help but be charmed. Later, Paddington attempts to have a quiet day out at the local barber’s, thinking a tidy trim would help him look smart. However, the visit quickly descends into farce when he climbs into the barber’s chair and becomes entangled in capes, clippers, and shaving foam. A simple haircut becomes a full-blown shaving disaster, resulting in quite the scene and much embarrassment — but also roars of laughter from onlookers.

In another chapter, Paddington accompanies Mrs Brown to a department store. Entranced by the vast displays and mechanical lifts, he soon finds himself lost among mannequins and merchandise. While trying to be helpful, he accidentally causes a commotion at the haberdashery counter, sets off an escalator emergency, and ends up making a surprise appearance in the shop’s toy department display. Fortunately, his good nature saves the day, and the store manager finds him more amusing than annoying. One of the most memorable moments comes when Paddington becomes fascinated by a do-it-yourself magazine and decides to build something of his own. Choosing a simple flat-pack wardrobe, he sets to work with a hammer, nails, and a rather liberal interpretation of the instructions. The end result is a wonky, upside-down piece of furniture that somehow defies both logic and gravity — though Paddington is most pleased with his handiwork and insists it has “character.” Another standout episode sees Paddington attempt to make pancakes. What begins as a straightforward recipe soon turns into a flour-dusted frenzy of batter flipping, pan fumbling, and ceiling splatter. The kitchen becomes a war zone, and poor Mrs Bird is less than impressed. Still, Paddington’s final pancake — slightly burnt, slightly undercooked, and shaped rather oddly — is eaten with great ceremony.

Throughout the book, Paddington’s gentle misunderstandings are never malicious. He is always motivated by a wish to help, to contribute, or to learn. The Browns remain endlessly patient and affectionate, and even when things go spectacularly wrong, they understand that Paddington’s heart is always in the right place. By the end of “More About Paddington”, the bear has once again shown that even the most ordinary days can become extraordinary when viewed through curious eyes. Whether dealing with haircuts or hammers, pancakes or photographs, Paddington turns the mundane into the memorable. Full of warmth, humour, and a dash of marmalade, this book reaffirms Paddington as a much-loved part of the Brown family — and a character who brings joy, laughter, and a little bit of lovely mess wherever he goes.

Michael Bond: A Short Biography

 
Michael Bond was a British author best known for creating Paddington Bear, one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature. His career as a writer spanned over six decades, during which he wrote numerous Paddington books, as well as other works for children and adults.

Early Life and Career:

• Born: January 13, 1926, in Newbury, Berkshire, England.
• Bond grew up in Reading, Berkshire, where his love for storytelling began. He was an avid reader and had an early fascination with writing, though he initially pursued other careers.
• During World War II, Bond served in the Royal Air Force and later worked as a camera operator for the BBC.

Creation of Paddington Bear:

• The idea for Paddington Bear came to Michael Bond in 1956, when he saw a lonely teddy bear sitting on a shelf in a London shop near Paddington Station. Bond bought the bear as a gift for his wife and was inspired to create a character around it.
• Bond wrote the first book, A Bear Called Paddington, in just ten days. It was published in 1958, introducing the world to the small bear from Darkest Peru who arrives at Paddington Station with a note that reads, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
• The Paddington books were an immediate success, with readers falling in love with the bear’s politeness, curiosity, and well-meaning mishaps. Bond’s witty, warm writing style and the gentle humour of Paddington’s adventures made the series timeless.

Paddington Bear’s Impact:

• The Paddington Bear series has been translated into over 40 languages and has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide.
• Bond wrote more than 20 books about Paddington, including sequels such as More About Paddington, Paddington Helps Out, and Paddington at Large.
• Paddington became a British cultural icon, and the stories were adapted into multiple TV series, stage productions, and two highly successful live-action films, Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017), with Ben Whishaw providing the voice of Paddington.

Other Works:

• While Paddington Bear was his most famous creation, Michael Bond also wrote other children’s books. His series about Olga da Polga, a guinea pig with a lively imagination, was another favourite.
• Bond also wrote for adult audiences, including a series of detective novels featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse, a retired French detective and food critic who solves culinary-related mysteries with his loyal bloodhound, Pommes Frites.

Personal Life:

• Bond lived much of his life in London, close to Paddington Station, which played such a crucial role in inspiring his most famous creation.
• Despite his success as a writer, Bond remained modest and down-to-earth. He often expressed that he wrote Paddington stories because they made him happy, and he was always delighted by the bear’s popularity with readers of all ages.

Awards and Honours:

• In recognition of his contribution to children’s literature, Michael Bond was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1997 and later a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015.
• Paddington Bear’s influence has extended far beyond literature. In 2000, a statue of Paddington was unveiled at Paddington Station, and the character remains a beloved figure in British culture.

Death and Legacy:

• Michael Bond passed away on June 27, 2017, at the age of 91. His legacy endures through the enduring popularity of Paddington Bear, who continues to delight new generations of readers and viewers.
• Bond’s ability to create a character who embodied kindness, curiosity, and good manners made Paddington a universally beloved figure, one that resonated with readers across cultures and ages.

Bond’s warm, humorous stories have left a lasting impact, and his creation of Paddington Bear has cemented him as one of the great figures in 20th-century children’s literature.

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