Paddington Here and Now [Hardcover]

Michael Bond (Author), R. W. Alley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Since the Browns found Paddington on a railway platform and took him home to live with them, there has never been a dull moment at number 32 Windsor Gardens. But as he explained to them at the start, "Things happen to me: I'm that sort of a bear."

There's the day his basket on wheels mysteriously disappears when he's out shopping in the market. And the time he locks the Browns' grouchy old neighbor, Mr. Curry, out of his house on Halloween night.

However, everyone in the family, including Paddington, agrees that a surprise visit from a long-lost relative is the start of his most exciting adventure ever.

For the first time in almost thirty years, everyone's favorite bear from Darkest Peru is starring in a brand-new novel—just in time for the fiftieth anniversary of his first adventure, A Bear Called Paddington.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–5—Fifty years after his first adventure in A Bear Called Paddington, this beloved and well-lauded character returns in a charming new chapter book. Reassuringly, things haven't changed much at 32 Windsor Gardens in the 30 years since the last episode: Paddington, a bear "not short of ideas," is still the apple of the Brown family's eye; the darling of their no-nonsense housekeeper, Mrs. Bird; and the bun-and-cocoa-sharing companion of kindly antiques-dealer Mr. Gruber. Beginning with a chapter in which Paddington's trademark shopping basket on wheels goes missing and his visit to the police station goes awry, continuing with several amusing interludes involving the Browns' crotchety next-door neighbor, and culminating with a surprise visit from long-lost Uncle Pastuzo, this volume retains the gentle humor of the earlier installments. Wordplay, misunderstandings, and double meanings abound, all proffered with perfect British wit and comic pacing. Alley's delightful pen-and-ink drawings reflect the spirit of Peggy Fortnum's familiar illustrations while coming across as fresh and original. As delectable as a marmalade sandwich served with a flourish from beneath a bear's hat, this is a must-have for Paddington fans.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

For a bear who made his first appearance 50 years ago, Paddington wears his years lightly. In his latest adventures, he loses his shopping basket and finds it again, foils an attempted robbery, and takes a ride on the London Eye with his dearest friends and a long-lost uncle. More to the point for Paddington fans, along the way he enjoys his elevenses with Mr. Gruber, infuriates Mr. Curry, and gives a hard stare to anyone who confounds him. Bond has not lost his light touch in detailing the amusing day-to-day adventures of this lovable bear, and Alley’s ink drawings illustrate the episodes with warmth and wit. Perhaps readers who grew up with the Paddington picture books are the natural audience for this episodic, full-length story, which could be read aloud to younger children. Grades 3-5. --Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061473642
• ISBN-13: 978-0061473647
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,311,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You've been away far too long, Paddington!, August 11, 2008

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paddington Here and Now (Hardcover)

For nearly two generations, young readers have been entertained by the adventures of a young bear discovered in a train station by a family in London. A BEAR CALLED PADDINGTON first hit bookshelves in 1958 and became a hit both in its native UK and around the world. And although 2008 celebrates the 50th anniversary of Paddington Bear, it's been almost 30 years since his creator, Michael Bond, has written a new Paddington book. The newest addition to the Paddington collection, PADDINGTON HERE AND NOW, conjures the feel and spirit of the series so well, you'd never guess the old bear has been away for so long.

As with past books in the series, each chapter presents itself as a small short story in which Paddington, still attempting to manage the culture shock associated with living in London after being raised in Darkest Peru, finds himself in a neverending set of hilarious misunderstandings and ill-conceived (but heartfelt) attempts to do good. In one chapter, a concert promoter puts Paddington on the bill for an upcoming charity concert after watching the young bear masterfully play the piano (when, in reality, it was a player piano and Paddington was simply trying to follow the keys with his paws). In another chapter, Paddington unknowingly talks to a tabloid reporter who writes a story based on a misunderstanding, believing Paddington to assert that Jonathan Brown once traded an internal organ for a pencil box (when, in fact, Jonathan traded a mouth organ).

All the characters from the series are back: Mr. and Mrs. Brown; their children, Jonathan and Judy; their housekeeper, Mrs. Bird; their grouchy neighbor, Mr. Curry; and Paddington's close friend, Mr. Gruber. Mention is made of Paddington's beloved Aunt Lucy, and Paddington gives his hardest stares ever. But even though reading this book is like catching up with a long, lost friend, the familiar people and situations are carefully peppered with references that clearly set it in contemporary society. Paddington and the Browns take a trip up the London Eye; Paddington attempts to pay for a trip around the world with a voucher for a single air mile. The result is an entertaining read that retains all the charm the books are known for while adding a sense of modern sensibilities. In essence, we are reminded of how seemingly timeless the stories of this unique bear really are.

If you grew up reading and loving these books as I did, PADDINGTON HERE AND NOW will transport you back to that special time and place when you first met the loveable bear from Peru. If you're new to Paddington, you won't be lost if you start with PADDINGTON HERE AND NOW (the author does a good job of bringing new readers up to speed), but I'd recommend tracking down A BEAR CALLED PADDINGTON to get a feel for how this all got started.

PADDINGTON HERE AND NOW demonstrates why these books have endured as a staple of children's literature for 50 years. Paddington is as adorable as when he first appeared in Paddington Station with a marmalade sandwich under his hat (which he keeps for emergencies). This welcome return confirms something fans have known for quite a while: you've been away far too long, Paddington!

--- Reviewed by Brian Farrey

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome back Paddington!, June 19, 2008

By 

Maureen Barnes "dulcimist" (Bloomington IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paddington Here and Now (Hardcover)

This book has been happily anticipated! It is by one of my favorite children's authors, but the humor is too good for kids. I own every Paddington Bear book, some purchased from used book stores, and treasure each one. I will be reading this one as a special treat for this mom whose little ones are now grown. Enjoy!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC, June 19, 2008

By 

C. J. Gordon - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paddington Here and Now (Hardcover)

Terrific as usual! There's nothing like books illustrated by RW Alley!! Highly recommended, though I hadn't realized that this book is a "chapter book" for kids. Wonderful, none-the-less!