Paddington At Large By Michael Bond

Author: Michael Bond
Price: £45
Publisher: Collins, London, UK
Edition: First edition, second impression
Publication Date: 1964
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. Pages nice and clean. Slight bumping to the cloth. Very good plus in very good indeed price-clipped dustwrapper which is a little nicked, marked, foxed and rubbed.

‘Paddington At Large’: A Brief Account

 
“Paddington at Large” presents another collection of delightful adventures featuring the well-meaning bear from darkest Peru as he finds himself in a variety of new and typically muddled situations. Whether taking part in public events, tackling everyday tasks, or simply trying to be helpful, Paddington approaches each experience with his usual blend of curiosity, good manners, and a remarkable ability to cause unintentional chaos.

The story unfolds in a series of episodic tales, each one showcasing Paddington’s unique perspective on the world and his unwavering belief that everything will go according to plan — despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

In one of the opening episodes, Paddington attends an open-air concert. Ever enthusiastic, he brings along a deckchair, snacks, and his trusty thermos. However, a small misunderstanding involving a conductor’s baton, a music stand, and a startled orchestra quickly turns a peaceful performance into a slapstick spectacle. In the end, the audience is thoroughly entertained, and Paddington is once again at the centre of attention — more or less unintentionally. Another standout chapter sees Paddington explore the world of physical fitness. Inspired by a magazine article, he decides to embark on a health and exercise regime. This involves morning stretches, an energetic run through the park, and a trial membership at a local gym. Unfortunately, the gym equipment proves harder to master than expected, resulting in Paddington becoming entangled in pulleys, flung across mats, and stuck upside down on a set of parallel bars. Despite this, he insists that he feels “much better for it” and declares his experiment a rousing success. Later in the book, Paddington is mistaken for a mystery guest at a local hotel. Ever polite, he plays along, and the staff — though increasingly baffled — do their best to accommodate his unusual requests. The experience includes a mix-up at the restaurant, a peculiar interpretation of the room service menu, and an encounter with a very puzzled bellboy. By the time the real guest arrives, Paddington has managed to charm nearly everyone in the building. A particularly memorable episode sees Paddington become involved in a seaside sandcastle competition. Determined to win, he sets out to create a grand design complete with turrets, moat, and even a marmalade flag. Unfortunately, a high tide, a dog, and a very enthusiastic child with a bucket all contribute to the castle’s untimely collapse. Nonetheless, Paddington’s enthusiasm and creativity are rewarded with a special prize for “Most Original Effort.” Another adventure unfolds at a fairground, where Paddington takes a spin on the dodgems, tries his luck at the coconut shy, and has an alarming encounter with the ghost train. One thing leads to another, and before long, he is helping to run one of the stalls, managing the queue with clipboard in paw and serious expression on his face. Though a few coconuts and toffee apples go missing, most of the customers leave with smiles — and Paddington with sticky fur.

Throughout the book, Paddington’s good intentions are matched only by his talent for attracting mild disaster. Whether becoming temporarily lost in a maze, helping Mr Gruber with a second-hand book sale, or falling foul of yet another of Mr Curry’s schemes, he remains cheerfully undeterred. His loyalty, honesty, and well-meaning nature always shine through, even if the situation around him dissolves into comic confusion. The Browns remain patient and supportive, while Mrs Bird keeps a watchful eye on events, occasionally stepping in with her trademark no-nonsense attitude. Mr Curry, ever suspicious and opportunistic, once again tries to take advantage of Paddington — but usually ends up outwitted or unexpectedly soaked.

By the end of “Paddington at Large”, the little bear has once again proved that, even when things go wrong, life is far more enjoyable with a bit of adventure, a great deal of curiosity, and a marmalade sandwich or two. The book captures the joy of seeing the world through Paddington’s eyes — where every outing is an opportunity, every mishap is part of the fun, and every day is made brighter by kindness, resilience, and a little bear in a duffle coat.

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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