A Bear Called Paddington

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Delightful classic in 50th anniversary edition.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is nothing to be concerned about here -- this comes from an earlier tradition of children's book writing in which stories were gently humorous and comforting.


What's the story?

The Browns find a small bear sitting on his suitcase in Paddington station in London with a tag that says, "Please look after this bear." He has emigrated from "darkest Peru" after his Aunt Lucy went into "a home for retired bears." So they take him home, name him after the station where they found him, and he quickly becomes one of the family. But, through no fault of his own, things are always happening to Paddington -- he's "that sort of bear." But no matter how big the disaster, Paddington always comes out on top.


Is it any good?

 

This oversized 50th anniversary edition, which includes the original illustrations, now in color, and a few that were left out of the original edition, is a lovely way to introduce a new generation to one of the classic children's book series of the 20th century. This is a book from an earlier time, when the humor was gentle and not fixated on bodily functions, when the classic British virtues of kindness, tolerance, and unflappability were assumed without fanfare, and when books for children were expected to entertain and comfort, not introduce them to the seamier side of reality.

Michael Bond is not A. A. Milne, winking at the adults in the room while he tells his stories to the children. These stories don't have different levels that appeal to different audiences -- they have just the one, which appeals to everyone. They are perfect both for young readers making the move into chapter books, and for snuggling up in bed with an adult to read to them out loud while you drift off to sleep -- there's nothing here to disturb young dreams, and much in both text and simple pictures to make both reader and listener grin and giggle. In our hurried, violent world, during the headlong rush to grow up, these stories can carve out a little space for a child just to experience unalloyed pleasure.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how books for children have changed in the last half century. How does this book seem different from other, more modern books you read? Why do you think they have changed? Which type of book do you like better, and why? Why has this book lasted for so long?


This review was written by Matt Berman
Kid, 12 years old
December 29, 2010
 
perfect than u thought
the best book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hands off to u micheal bonds!!!!!!!!!! excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! from - rasheeda nasreen sri lanka

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 10 years old
November 12, 2008
 
I havent read it yet
I havent read it yet

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This review was written by Matt Berman
Author:Michael Bond
Illustrator:Peggy Fortnum
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Activity
Publication date:March 29, 1958
Number of pages:142
Hardcover price:$20.00
Publisher's recommended age(s):8 - 12
Read aloud:7
Read alone:8

This review was written by Matt Berman
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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