The iconic, well-mannered bear is also one that symbolizes human kindness and compassion. Thomas Michael Bond (1926-2017) grew up in Reading, England and experienced an extended family; his parents opened their home to many children, including refugees, who were evacuated from London during the Second World War. The first Paddington Bear stuffed toy to be manufactured was created in 1972 by Gabrielle Designs, a small family business run by Shirley and Eddie Clarkson, with the prototype made as a Christmas present for their children Joanna and Jeremy Clarkson, a now well-known British TV presenter, writer and farmer. [13] Michael Bond had awarded the Clarksons the licensing of the toy rights throughout the world. [14]

This is a re-issue of the first (and original) A Bear Called Paddington in the Paddington Bear children’s picture book series and revolving around a tiny stowaway of a bear who comes to London. Michael took everything that came into his life, and gave it to Paddington,” Alley says. “He basically said to him ‘What do you think about this?’ You know, he imagined Paddington in these situations.” Key to Paddington’s success, Alley suggests, is his placement in the real world.

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Grayson, Kyle. " How to Read Paddington Bear: Liberalism and the Foreign Subject in a Bear Called Paddington." The British Journal of Politics and International Relations15.3 (2013): 378-393. Paddington has become one of the most beloved British fictional characters—a Paddington Bear stuffed toy was chosen by British tunnellers as the first item to pass through to their French counterparts when the two sides of the Channel Tunnel were linked in 1994. [4] Paddington books have been translated into 30 languages across 70 titles and have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. As of June 2016, the Paddington Bear franchise was owned by Vivendi's StudioCanal. Bond, however, continued to own the publishing rights to his series, which was licensed to HarperCollins in April 2017. [5] The very first Paddington bear soft toy was created in the UK by a lady called Shirley Clarkson, who made it as a Christmas present for her children, Joanna and Jeremy Clarkson - yes, the world-famous motoring journalist!

Paddington Goes to Court" – Mr Gruber aims to explain to Paddington the workings of the law. On a trip to the Royal Courts of Justice, Paddington gets unexpectedly called as a witness. Paddington at the Tower (1973) A single-story picture book, aimed at younger readers. Paddington on Top (1974) [32] The tenth collection features the following stories: [33]Paddington frequents the nearby Portobello Road market, where he is respected by the shopkeepers for driving a hard bargain. The man behind the marmalade-loving character is late author Michael Bond. The tale goes that he bought a small toy bear for his wife after seeing it left alone on the shelves of Selfridges one evening. He named him Paddington after the train station close to his home. Paddington Bear inspired Bond to put pen to paper and write stories about the bear’s life - taking inspiration from his own childhood memories. Semlyen, Phil de (18 October 2016). "Paddington 2 starts shooting with Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson aboard". Empire.