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Please Look After This Bear: How Paddington Became British
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 11, 2026
Paddington is an institution. He is a figurehead for charities, and a self-declared stowaway whose image has been used for better treatment of child refugees. He is Britain’s most celebrated immigrant - at least amongst those who don’t exist.
Please Look After This Bear is an informative and scholarly extensive academic essay comparing the treatment and acceptance of a fictional bear immigrant and the reality and real life experiences of immigrants and refugees to the UK. It is also an investigation into how Paddington became an integral part of British cultural identity. Although academic and non-fictional the writing remains clear and accessible and not preachy.
I listened to the audio version of this book, which was very well read by Clare Staniford.
The original Paddington book by Michael Bond was first published in 1958. Since then, there have been multiple adaptations – including film and cartoons as well as a huge amount of merchandise - and the stories have been translated into over 40 languages. Paddington has now outlived his creator and in later depictions he is even pals with the late Queen.
I very well remember the stop motion and paper cutouts Paddington tv series in the second half of the 70s and can still hum its theme tune. However, until listening to this book, I had never been consciously aware how wide reaching the Paddington franchise is and how important he is to UK tourism.
As the authors point out, Paddington is a story of inclusion, assimilation and good manners. It depicts a different England to the one we know today. One in which middle class families could afford a house in London, and employing a housekeeper (Mrs Bird) was nothing out of the ordinary.
We learn that Paddington is full of contrasts, an illegal immigrant from Darkest Peru and a British cultural icon. He arrives wearing a label reminiscent of those worn by Jewish children arriving on the Kindertransport . His closest friend - Mr Gruber – is a ( probably displaced) Hungarian antiques dealer, while the Brown’s next door neighbour, Mr Curry, is said to be a racist.
The authors make us aware of many interesting aspects such as how marmalade binds Paddington to British culture, how people talk about Paddington as if he were real, how it’s unclear how old he is, and that we never learn what his Peruvian Bear name was.
As a language teacher I found the translation section especially interesting as well as how Paddington is accepted due to his use of RP and linguistic assimilation. We learn how the level of politeness has been adapted to suit the cultural norms in translated versions, eg in Greek and German, and about how in the original English versions euphemisms are often used to avoid addressing the fact of Paddington’s ‘otherness’ and to avoid obvious racism.
‘Paddington and Windrush’ was for me an unexpected title for a section that discusses how Paddington embodies immigration without racism. There were a couple of other surprising sub-sections such as Bears and Pigs which show that the book is not written from a completely neutral standpoint.
This book has inspired me to reread my Paddington books from the 1970s and appreciate the illustrations and the stories from a different perspective. I also plan to finally get around to watching the films on Netflix.
Thank you RBmedia for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Please Look After This Bear is an informative and scholarly extensive academic essay comparing the treatment and acceptance of a fictional bear immigrant and the reality and real life experiences of immigrants and refugees to the UK. It is also an investigation into how Paddington became an integral part of British cultural identity. Although academic and non-fictional the writing remains clear and accessible and not preachy.
I listened to the audio version of this book, which was very well read by Clare Staniford.
The original Paddington book by Michael Bond was first published in 1958. Since then, there have been multiple adaptations – including film and cartoons as well as a huge amount of merchandise - and the stories have been translated into over 40 languages. Paddington has now outlived his creator and in later depictions he is even pals with the late Queen.
I very well remember the stop motion and paper cutouts Paddington tv series in the second half of the 70s and can still hum its theme tune. However, until listening to this book, I had never been consciously aware how wide reaching the Paddington franchise is and how important he is to UK tourism.
As the authors point out, Paddington is a story of inclusion, assimilation and good manners. It depicts a different England to the one we know today. One in which middle class families could afford a house in London, and employing a housekeeper (Mrs Bird) was nothing out of the ordinary.
We learn that Paddington is full of contrasts, an illegal immigrant from Darkest Peru and a British cultural icon. He arrives wearing a label reminiscent of those worn by Jewish children arriving on the Kindertransport . His closest friend - Mr Gruber – is a ( probably displaced) Hungarian antiques dealer, while the Brown’s next door neighbour, Mr Curry, is said to be a racist.
The authors make us aware of many interesting aspects such as how marmalade binds Paddington to British culture, how people talk about Paddington as if he were real, how it’s unclear how old he is, and that we never learn what his Peruvian Bear name was.
As a language teacher I found the translation section especially interesting as well as how Paddington is accepted due to his use of RP and linguistic assimilation. We learn how the level of politeness has been adapted to suit the cultural norms in translated versions, eg in Greek and German, and about how in the original English versions euphemisms are often used to avoid addressing the fact of Paddington’s ‘otherness’ and to avoid obvious racism.
‘Paddington and Windrush’ was for me an unexpected title for a section that discusses how Paddington embodies immigration without racism. There were a couple of other surprising sub-sections such as Bears and Pigs which show that the book is not written from a completely neutral standpoint.
This book has inspired me to reread my Paddington books from the 1970s and appreciate the illustrations and the stories from a different perspective. I also plan to finally get around to watching the films on Netflix.
Thank you RBmedia for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 10, 2026
Please Look After This Bear was an interesting and thought-provoking listen that made me reconsider a character I’ve known for most of my life. I had always thought of Paddington as an adorably British bear, without giving much thought to the fact that he is actually an immigrant from “darkest Peru.”
As an American, I found that disconnect particularly fascinating. Paddington has always felt distinctly British to me, something reinforced by the British voices I’ve long associated with the character. This audiobook pushed me to step back and think more critically about what it means that one of Britain’s most recognizable cultural icons arrives as an immigrant—and how easily his origins can fade into the background once he is embraced as British.
I was especially interested in the book’s exploration of Paddington through the history of immigration and race relations in Britain. As an American listener, I found myself reflecting on the similarities between the British history discussed in the book and America's own complicated history—and present-day conversations—around immigration, race, identity, and belonging. That historical and cultural context gave me a new lens through which to view a character I thought I already understood.
Narrated by Clare Staniforth, the audiobook was an engaging and accessible way to experience the book. While not every section held my attention equally, I’m glad I listened—if only because I don’t think I’ll ever look at Paddington quite the same way again.
Thank you to Melanie Ramdarshan Bold, Aishwarya Subramanian, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
As an American, I found that disconnect particularly fascinating. Paddington has always felt distinctly British to me, something reinforced by the British voices I’ve long associated with the character. This audiobook pushed me to step back and think more critically about what it means that one of Britain’s most recognizable cultural icons arrives as an immigrant—and how easily his origins can fade into the background once he is embraced as British.
I was especially interested in the book’s exploration of Paddington through the history of immigration and race relations in Britain. As an American listener, I found myself reflecting on the similarities between the British history discussed in the book and America's own complicated history—and present-day conversations—around immigration, race, identity, and belonging. That historical and cultural context gave me a new lens through which to view a character I thought I already understood.
Narrated by Clare Staniforth, the audiobook was an engaging and accessible way to experience the book. While not every section held my attention equally, I’m glad I listened—if only because I don’t think I’ll ever look at Paddington quite the same way again.
Thank you to Melanie Ramdarshan Bold, Aishwarya Subramanian, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2026
Like most, I was charmed by the videos that appeared of Queen Elizabeth having tea with Paddington Bear. While I've never been a big reader of the Paddington books, I knew exactly who he was and what he was meant to represent. As a result, I spent July 4th, the much hyped American birthday celebration, immersed in this book about that very British icon Paddington Bear. It wasn't quite what I expected, which I guess was a focus/recap of the books but it turned out to be much more. It was an intriguing look at how an immigrant, a refugee bear from Peru, became such a part of the British culture.
It's an intriguing look at not just the character of Paddington but a peek behind the scenes of the man who created him, the times, and the forces that helped shape one of the best known British icons of children's literature anywhere. Maybe more important, it helps explain why Paddington matters. He was, of course, an immigrant, so there is much talk about immigration, refugees, and their acceptance and treatment. Heck, even his famous marmalade gets a section as an import, showing the depth of research. The discussion of the Good Immigrant and the role they were expected to fall into, is discussed at length, showing where Paddington tended to fall into that category. Politeness and manners, especially kindness, also take the spotlight. The British are usually portrayed as endlessly polite and well-mannered, so Paddington had a steep slope to travel to meet all the requirements to not only be accepted but beloved. I honestly think I would have grasped this topic better given the frequent nods to the various books and shows had I had a better background in all things Paddington but they still made sense to me, so don't let a sparse knowledge of his "life" stop you from picking up this one.
Bottom line, a very well written and timely book that, gasp, made me think not just about a fictional bear but the world in general. I did take some notes as I went along but will opt to simply say you'll learn a great deal. Seriously, one section sorta builds on another and we learn not just about fictional characters and their creator's background that helped shape his work, but bits of history and social patterns, too. For a little bear inspired by a lonely looking teddy bear bought as a stocking stuffer, this Peruvian bear has certainly lead an amazing life, lending support to the idea that children's books aren't just for children. They matter.
Finally, as I had the audio version, I'll note that the narrator quite impressed me. I sometimes feel non-fictional works would be a tough narration but Clare Staniforth does it well, breathing life into the story and occasionally seeming to enjoy the wit of the author's observations and references, especially to marmalade. Even to my American ear, her narration was easy to understand even when I experimented at increasing the pace. The chapters flowed smoothly and what seem to be chapter titles were read at the start of each chapter, giving you the focus of material to come. Much thanks to #HighbridgeAudio for allowing me this early listen. There's a great deal to ponder here in what I once expected to be a simple, fun read. Kudos to all who produced this work and especially to the authors and narrator. I am definitely going to have to put my hands on some Paddington books soon. Getting to know him has been a delight.
It's an intriguing look at not just the character of Paddington but a peek behind the scenes of the man who created him, the times, and the forces that helped shape one of the best known British icons of children's literature anywhere. Maybe more important, it helps explain why Paddington matters. He was, of course, an immigrant, so there is much talk about immigration, refugees, and their acceptance and treatment. Heck, even his famous marmalade gets a section as an import, showing the depth of research. The discussion of the Good Immigrant and the role they were expected to fall into, is discussed at length, showing where Paddington tended to fall into that category. Politeness and manners, especially kindness, also take the spotlight. The British are usually portrayed as endlessly polite and well-mannered, so Paddington had a steep slope to travel to meet all the requirements to not only be accepted but beloved. I honestly think I would have grasped this topic better given the frequent nods to the various books and shows had I had a better background in all things Paddington but they still made sense to me, so don't let a sparse knowledge of his "life" stop you from picking up this one.
Bottom line, a very well written and timely book that, gasp, made me think not just about a fictional bear but the world in general. I did take some notes as I went along but will opt to simply say you'll learn a great deal. Seriously, one section sorta builds on another and we learn not just about fictional characters and their creator's background that helped shape his work, but bits of history and social patterns, too. For a little bear inspired by a lonely looking teddy bear bought as a stocking stuffer, this Peruvian bear has certainly lead an amazing life, lending support to the idea that children's books aren't just for children. They matter.
Finally, as I had the audio version, I'll note that the narrator quite impressed me. I sometimes feel non-fictional works would be a tough narration but Clare Staniforth does it well, breathing life into the story and occasionally seeming to enjoy the wit of the author's observations and references, especially to marmalade. Even to my American ear, her narration was easy to understand even when I experimented at increasing the pace. The chapters flowed smoothly and what seem to be chapter titles were read at the start of each chapter, giving you the focus of material to come. Much thanks to #HighbridgeAudio for allowing me this early listen. There's a great deal to ponder here in what I once expected to be a simple, fun read. Kudos to all who produced this work and especially to the authors and narrator. I am definitely going to have to put my hands on some Paddington books soon. Getting to know him has been a delight.
July 4, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love Paddington. My love has grown now that I’m a parent; I appreciate the books, the movies, and the general aura that surrounds this little bear who promotes kindness always.Please Look After This Bear only extends my love for Paddington by sharing aspects I had not fully considered. Of course Paddington is an immigrant. So much of his story is his acclimation (or mishaps while learning) to London culture. But I don’t know that I considered it with much depth. I leaned on my privilege a bit and didn’t dig deeper. But the Paddington story is about immigrant experiences, about being ‘othered’, and about found family. There are so many important messages, that are even more relevant today.
Whereas I have focused on the kindness within the story, I didn’t investigate how kindness can be complicated. Please Look After This Bear explains, with examples from Paddington’s life as well as from the author’s life and current events, that only certain types of kindness is welcome and rewarded. The author explains the “good immigrant” stereotype/trope and how language can be destabilizing - for non-English speakers as well as English speakers. Chapter after chapter just provided so much more context and things to think about. I really enjoyed the layers underneath this seemingly known story.
Paddington is beloved for so many reasons and I really appreciate the lengths to which the authors explained various aspects of this book. Readers who appreciate the stories behind the stories (peek behind the curtain), nostalgia from our childhood, and stories rooted in seeking equity and justice should absolutely read this.
Narration: This is well-narrated by Staniforth. Non-fiction can prove especially difficult to keep listeners engaged. There is always the risk of being too dry, but just like fiction stories, emotion and inflection is needed. I was engaged throughout. The narrator’s accent (as it appears to me) was lovely to listen to. She had good pacing, pauses, and chapter transitions.
Story: Excellent story. I really like learning the behind-the-scenes stories of pop-culture icons. This sweet Peruvian bear is loved around the world. I liked learning his origin, move from page to screen, and from screen to merchandise. Really interesting.
Audiobook Flow: The flow works well though, there are some fairly long pauses between chapters. This may be an ARC issue but a few times, I had to check to make sure my book was still playing because it stopped for so long between the final sentence and the start of the next chapter. Additionally, the audiobook ran longer than 100%, ending around -18% (just indicating the count is off).
Unique Elements: I just really enjoyed the different quotes from across the franchise. I’m not quoting this book as it’s an ARC but there are so many wonderful quotables that are explained and detailed throughout the book.
Recommendation: 5 stars. Great listen. I bet it’s a great read as well, like a good book to have as a physical copy to easily go back and reflect upon.
I love Paddington. My love has grown now that I’m a parent; I appreciate the books, the movies, and the general aura that surrounds this little bear who promotes kindness always.Please Look After This Bear only extends my love for Paddington by sharing aspects I had not fully considered. Of course Paddington is an immigrant. So much of his story is his acclimation (or mishaps while learning) to London culture. But I don’t know that I considered it with much depth. I leaned on my privilege a bit and didn’t dig deeper. But the Paddington story is about immigrant experiences, about being ‘othered’, and about found family. There are so many important messages, that are even more relevant today.
Whereas I have focused on the kindness within the story, I didn’t investigate how kindness can be complicated. Please Look After This Bear explains, with examples from Paddington’s life as well as from the author’s life and current events, that only certain types of kindness is welcome and rewarded. The author explains the “good immigrant” stereotype/trope and how language can be destabilizing - for non-English speakers as well as English speakers. Chapter after chapter just provided so much more context and things to think about. I really enjoyed the layers underneath this seemingly known story.
Paddington is beloved for so many reasons and I really appreciate the lengths to which the authors explained various aspects of this book. Readers who appreciate the stories behind the stories (peek behind the curtain), nostalgia from our childhood, and stories rooted in seeking equity and justice should absolutely read this.
Narration: This is well-narrated by Staniforth. Non-fiction can prove especially difficult to keep listeners engaged. There is always the risk of being too dry, but just like fiction stories, emotion and inflection is needed. I was engaged throughout. The narrator’s accent (as it appears to me) was lovely to listen to. She had good pacing, pauses, and chapter transitions.
Story: Excellent story. I really like learning the behind-the-scenes stories of pop-culture icons. This sweet Peruvian bear is loved around the world. I liked learning his origin, move from page to screen, and from screen to merchandise. Really interesting.
Audiobook Flow: The flow works well though, there are some fairly long pauses between chapters. This may be an ARC issue but a few times, I had to check to make sure my book was still playing because it stopped for so long between the final sentence and the start of the next chapter. Additionally, the audiobook ran longer than 100%, ending around -18% (just indicating the count is off).
Unique Elements: I just really enjoyed the different quotes from across the franchise. I’m not quoting this book as it’s an ARC but there are so many wonderful quotables that are explained and detailed throughout the book.
Recommendation: 5 stars. Great listen. I bet it’s a great read as well, like a good book to have as a physical copy to easily go back and reflect upon.
July 18, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Highbridge audio for this advanced ARC Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Having grown up with Paddington and listening to this audiobook as an adult, I was intrigued by the promise of exploring the story behind one of Britain's most beloved characters. The book offers some fascinating insights into Paddington as an immigrant from Peru and places his creation within the wider context of post-war British history, immigration, race relations, and national identity. As someone who had always thought of Paddington as simply a very British bear, I appreciated the opportunity to reconsider the character through a different lens.
The narration by Clare Staniforth was engaging and well suited to the subject matter, and I was particularly pleased to hear a British narrator. However, while the themes explored were interesting and thought-provoking, I found the book quite repetitive. Many chapters began with intriguing premises but often seemed to return to the same points, which made it feel longer than necessary.
I also expected more focus on Paddington himself and a greater celebration of Michael Bond's creation. Instead, much of the book concentrated on the broader social and political context surrounding immigration in Britain. While these discussions were important and often compelling, they occasionally felt as though Bond and his work were being scrutinized more heavily than I anticipated.
Overall, this was an interesting listen that gave me a new perspective on a character I've known for most of my life, but the repetitive nature and the balance of the content meant I enjoyed it less than I had hoped. A worthwhile audiobook for dedicated Paddington fans and those interested in British social history, but it wasn't quite the book I expected.
Having grown up with Paddington and listening to this audiobook as an adult, I was intrigued by the promise of exploring the story behind one of Britain's most beloved characters. The book offers some fascinating insights into Paddington as an immigrant from Peru and places his creation within the wider context of post-war British history, immigration, race relations, and national identity. As someone who had always thought of Paddington as simply a very British bear, I appreciated the opportunity to reconsider the character through a different lens.
The narration by Clare Staniforth was engaging and well suited to the subject matter, and I was particularly pleased to hear a British narrator. However, while the themes explored were interesting and thought-provoking, I found the book quite repetitive. Many chapters began with intriguing premises but often seemed to return to the same points, which made it feel longer than necessary.
I also expected more focus on Paddington himself and a greater celebration of Michael Bond's creation. Instead, much of the book concentrated on the broader social and political context surrounding immigration in Britain. While these discussions were important and often compelling, they occasionally felt as though Bond and his work were being scrutinized more heavily than I anticipated.
Overall, this was an interesting listen that gave me a new perspective on a character I've known for most of my life, but the repetitive nature and the balance of the content meant I enjoyed it less than I had hoped. A worthwhile audiobook for dedicated Paddington fans and those interested in British social history, but it wasn't quite the book I expected.
July 16, 2026
Fascinating social context connecting Paddington to modern British history.
This gave me paws (ha) for thought. Absolutely perfect for me as someone who loves children's literature and social history.
The reasons Bond wrote Paddington are covered, some sweet and some sad. The context of Bond's time, the times that came after, the social change that happened. How this is reflected in his writing, plots and characters. I especially appreciated the seriousness of the work, as a scholarly essay, with constant references to the texts, quotes and evidence.
How Paddington has changed as a character and brand over the decades was particularly interesting. How he started as a refugee and how that in itself changed our views and how his refugee status altered his actions and speech. Every aspect of his character, from politeness to dress to accent. Brilliantly covered.
It was novel, it was eye-opening. Bond himself isn't glossed over as a granddad figure - he was flawed, he had prejudices. The characters in his books aren't perfect, they display cultural stereotypes and quirks that aren't always palatable.
This made a great audio listen, you don't need to either see the text to follow the threads, and you don't need to have read every Paddington book to understand the points made.
Best for older readers, even if children love Paddington this is more like a student's read than a child's. But it is a very rewarding one.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
This gave me paws (ha) for thought. Absolutely perfect for me as someone who loves children's literature and social history.
The reasons Bond wrote Paddington are covered, some sweet and some sad. The context of Bond's time, the times that came after, the social change that happened. How this is reflected in his writing, plots and characters. I especially appreciated the seriousness of the work, as a scholarly essay, with constant references to the texts, quotes and evidence.
How Paddington has changed as a character and brand over the decades was particularly interesting. How he started as a refugee and how that in itself changed our views and how his refugee status altered his actions and speech. Every aspect of his character, from politeness to dress to accent. Brilliantly covered.
It was novel, it was eye-opening. Bond himself isn't glossed over as a granddad figure - he was flawed, he had prejudices. The characters in his books aren't perfect, they display cultural stereotypes and quirks that aren't always palatable.
This made a great audio listen, you don't need to either see the text to follow the threads, and you don't need to have read every Paddington book to understand the points made.
Best for older readers, even if children love Paddington this is more like a student's read than a child's. But it is a very rewarding one.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
July 14, 2026
This was excellent! I learned so much about Paddington through this thought-provoking, incisive look at the bear, his history/origins, what people project onto him, how the books and films differ, and more. I had never thought much about Paddington being a refugee, how he's an example of the good immigrant myth, or how he subtly pushes back on that. There was so much nuance in this book.
One of my favorite chapters was about Calypso music and how it's used in the first Paddington movie to hearken back to the Windrush generation of Caribbean immigrants who came to the UK 🤯
The book did get a bit repetitive at times, sometimes referencing the same example in chapter after chapter. You JUST told me about how Paddington got a real passport, or how he went to the police station to report a missing shopping cart! I know the chapters were thematic, but it was irritating to not just tackle the example from every angle in one go so you didn't have to hear it re-described over and over again.
Also, there was a weird quirk with the audiobook ARC I received for NetGalley where it was telling me I was 110% done with the book but there was still 33+ minutes remaining. Odd.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Very curious to read more from the Children's Classics Critically series as it progresses.
One of my favorite chapters was about Calypso music and how it's used in the first Paddington movie to hearken back to the Windrush generation of Caribbean immigrants who came to the UK 🤯
The book did get a bit repetitive at times, sometimes referencing the same example in chapter after chapter. You JUST told me about how Paddington got a real passport, or how he went to the police station to report a missing shopping cart! I know the chapters were thematic, but it was irritating to not just tackle the example from every angle in one go so you didn't have to hear it re-described over and over again.
Also, there was a weird quirk with the audiobook ARC I received for NetGalley where it was telling me I was 110% done with the book but there was still 33+ minutes remaining. Odd.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Very curious to read more from the Children's Classics Critically series as it progresses.
July 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGallery and the authors for a copy of the audiobook.
This is a fantastic and fascinating analysis of Paddington as a media phenomenon. I don’t have a ton of familiarity with the subject matter (Paddington stories/merchandising and UK history with a focus on immigration) and was able to follow along fine because the relevant context is always well explained. The book is literary criticism in original definition, with thorough and in-depth analysis of the media phenomenon of Paddington throughout the years and in context of then-current and present British occurrences and attitudes.
I definitely enjoyed the academic nature of this book, but I don’t in any way mean to imply that it’s a dull textbook. There is a plethora of puns and an abundance of dry wit. The phrase “Brexit, pursued by a bear” genuinely took me out. I could bearly stand to paws this thrilling read!
The narrator does a good job with the audiobook, and is nicely consistent in tone/volume/speed throughout.
This is a fantastic and fascinating analysis of Paddington as a media phenomenon. I don’t have a ton of familiarity with the subject matter (Paddington stories/merchandising and UK history with a focus on immigration) and was able to follow along fine because the relevant context is always well explained. The book is literary criticism in original definition, with thorough and in-depth analysis of the media phenomenon of Paddington throughout the years and in context of then-current and present British occurrences and attitudes.
I definitely enjoyed the academic nature of this book, but I don’t in any way mean to imply that it’s a dull textbook. There is a plethora of puns and an abundance of dry wit. The phrase “Brexit, pursued by a bear” genuinely took me out. I could bearly stand to paws this thrilling read!
The narrator does a good job with the audiobook, and is nicely consistent in tone/volume/speed throughout.
July 25, 2026
Who knew Paddington Bear was such a political and social values beacon. This sweet little bear is a symbol representing refugees worldwide.
Author Michael Bond wrote the series drawn from memories of displaced Jewish children during WWII, sent to the UK pinned with nametags. These stories are a lesson on assimilation, bigotry, tolerance and identifying with being British whilst not losing one's origins. I just thought they were cute stories, but this book breaks down many scenes throughout the books, movies and tv series over six decades since they were first published.
Whilst it is certainly very informative, sometimes I felt like it overanalysed to the point where I'm not sure I can enjoy the story without thinking about all the moral messaging. It also became repetitive at times, perhaps a bit of a tidy up is needed. I love hearing about his beloved marmalade, his relationships with the family and neighbours and his Britishness but most of all, his association with Queen Elizabeth II.
A well researched book that was narrated beautifully by Clare Staniforth.
Author Michael Bond wrote the series drawn from memories of displaced Jewish children during WWII, sent to the UK pinned with nametags. These stories are a lesson on assimilation, bigotry, tolerance and identifying with being British whilst not losing one's origins. I just thought they were cute stories, but this book breaks down many scenes throughout the books, movies and tv series over six decades since they were first published.
Whilst it is certainly very informative, sometimes I felt like it overanalysed to the point where I'm not sure I can enjoy the story without thinking about all the moral messaging. It also became repetitive at times, perhaps a bit of a tidy up is needed. I love hearing about his beloved marmalade, his relationships with the family and neighbours and his Britishness but most of all, his association with Queen Elizabeth II.
A well researched book that was narrated beautifully by Clare Staniforth.
July 13, 2026
Wow, I knew I would like this book. What I didn't know was that I would learn so much more. This book will not only inform you about a much-loved bear, Paddington, and his creator, Michael Bond, but also about how he has become so beloved, how he is a British icon not only for the children of Britain but for all. In fact, he is known worldwide and beloved in every country.
This audiobook is narrated by Clare Staniforth, who has the most lovely voice and is perfect for reading this audiobook. Would I recommend this book? Yes!
Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for an ARC.
This audiobook is narrated by Clare Staniforth, who has the most lovely voice and is perfect for reading this audiobook. Would I recommend this book? Yes!
Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for an ARC.
July 14, 2026
I loved Paddington Bear so much as a kid. He wasn't just funny, he also felt like a real person existing in the world and making relationships and building a found family before found families were cool.
This book very cleverly explains all the things I felt, when I didn't really have words or an explanation for them. I'll probably read this again because I emotionally connected to it so much.
The narrator was excellent and I was disappointed when it was over. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
This book very cleverly explains all the things I felt, when I didn't really have words or an explanation for them. I'll probably read this again because I emotionally connected to it so much.
The narrator was excellent and I was disappointed when it was over. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
July 13, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the Audiobook ARC!
I've never considered myself a Paddington fan, though I'm familiar with the books. But I never would have thought about the complexities of Paddington and his status as both an immigrant and a British national treasure before listening to this book. The information is presented in a clear and unbiased manner, with lots of anecdotal data and recent examples of the Paddington phenomenon in action. Highly recommended.
I've never considered myself a Paddington fan, though I'm familiar with the books. But I never would have thought about the complexities of Paddington and his status as both an immigrant and a British national treasure before listening to this book. The information is presented in a clear and unbiased manner, with lots of anecdotal data and recent examples of the Paddington phenomenon in action. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy
5 stars for the info
3 stars for the style and delivery
I don't know how I got this early I checked it out from my library on ebook.
3 stars for the style and delivery
I don't know how I got this early I checked it out from my library on ebook.
July 18, 2026
An amazing, thought provoking book. I would highly recommend it to any Paddington fans. It made me laugh too!
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