More About Paddington Signed By Michael Bond

Author: Michael Bond
Price: £375
Publisher: Collins, London, UK
Edition: First edition, 10th Impression
Publication Date: 1977
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrapper
Condition: Very good plus in a good dustwrapper
Size: 14.5cm x 20.5cm
Pages: 128

Description:

Binding nice and tight. Slight spotting to the text block and occasional slight foxing else a very good plus, tight, clean copy in good, nicked, chipped and rubbed dustwrapper which has foxing to the inner flaps and a couple of short closed tears. Signed ‘With all good wishes, Michael Bond’ to the front free endpaper. Scarce signed and a very good copy overall.

The Story:

More About Paddington is the second book in the Paddington Bear series by Michael Bond, published in 1959. It continues the adventures of the lovable bear from Darkest Peru who has been adopted by the Brown family in London. The book follows Paddington as he settles into life with the Browns, exploring new places and often causing comical misunderstandings due to his innocent but curious nature.

Plot Overview:

The book is composed of multiple short stories, each focusing on different escapades that Paddington finds himself in. Like its predecessor, More About Paddington captures the warmth and humour of the bear’s interactions with the human world, from his enthusiasm for everyday tasks to his inevitable mix-ups.

Here’s an outline of some key stories and moments in the book:

1. Paddington and the “Bonfire”: Paddington gets involved in the preparation for Bonfire Night but accidentally creates chaos when he mistakenly burns an old chair that turns out to be valuable.
2. Paddington Goes Shopping: On a shopping trip to buy clothes, Paddington’s curiosity leads to a series of comical events, including confusion with the store clerks and trying on odd outfits.
3. Paddington at the Seaside: The Browns take Paddington on a seaside vacation, where he discovers sandcastles, ice cream, and how easy it is to get into trouble at the beach.
4. Paddington and the Dentist: One of the funnier stories involves Paddington’s trip to the dentist, where his attempts to help end up causing more confusion than expected.
5. Paddington’s Decorating Adventure: A classic story involves Paddington trying his hand at decorating a room in the house. His well-meaning but chaotic efforts lead to paint mishaps and unintentional disasters.

Recurring Characters:

• The Brown Family: The Browns—Mr. and Mrs. Brown, along with their children Jonathan and Judy—continue to support Paddington through his various adventures.
• Mrs. Bird: The no-nonsense housekeeper who looks after the Brown household. She often shows a softer side when dealing with Paddington, despite her initial strict demeanour.
• Mr. Gruber: Paddington’s good friend, an antique dealer who runs a shop on the Portobello Road. He often provides Paddington with advice and enjoys sharing tea and conversations with him.

Themes:

1. Kindness and Friendship: Paddington’s relationships with the Browns and Mr. Gruber remain central to the stories. Despite the chaos he often causes, Paddington’s kindness, politeness, and charm endear him to everyone around him.
2. Curiosity and Innocence: Much of the humour in the stories stems from Paddington’s curiosity about the world. His eagerness to help or understand things often leads to unintended consequences, but his heart is always in the right place.
3. Humour through Misunderstandings: Many of the adventures in More About Paddington revolve around Paddington misinterpreting human customs or everyday activities. These misunderstandings often result in comical disasters, but they always resolve with warmth and a positive outcome.

Style and Tone:

Michael Bond’s writing is simple yet witty, making it accessible to children while also entertaining for adult readers. The tone is gentle and humorous, with Paddington’s mishaps often revealing human nature in a light-hearted way. The character’s politeness and constant optimism remain a key part of his charm.

Legacy:

More About Paddington helped solidify Paddington Bear as a classic character in children’s literature. The book continues to be popular, and its stories have been adapted in various formats, including TV shows and audiobooks.

With Paddington’s adventures offering humour, warmth, and gentle life lessons, More About Paddington is a delightful follow-up to the original book and an enduring part of the Paddington legacy.

Why Collect This Edition?

Signed editions of the ‘Paddington’ series are scarce in any form and this is a very good copy indeed.

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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