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Paddington #11
Paddington Takes the Test
When Paddington decides that he should have a driver's license, others think that that may not be such a great idea, in an amusing tale about lovable Paddington and his many good intentions gone awry.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
31 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bond
636 books412 followersMichael Bond, CBE was an English children's author. He was the creator of Paddington Bear and wrote about the adventures of a guinea pig named Olga da Polga, as well as the animated BBC TV series The Herbs. Bond also wrote culinary mystery stories for adults featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse and his faithful bloodhound, Pommes Frites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 26, 2019
Another fun slice of life with the Brown family and their adopted Peruvian Bear. The author may have been running out of steam by this point, however, as this was the last 'proper' Paddington book for over twenty years.
July 13, 2019
Every time I think I've read all the Paddington books, I find another one! This one, published in 1979, is as much fun as the previous ones. The first chapter, in which Paddington takes a driving test, is one of the funniest stories in the series. I also especially enjoyed the chapter where Paddington irons a frilly "Beau Brummell" shirt that Mr. Curry is planning to wear to a fancy-dress ball. The Paddington books are great fun for all ages.
July 19, 2024
While not the best collection of stories featuring the legendary bear from Darkest Peru it's worth reading just for Paddington accidentally taking his driving test!
May 23, 2022
Paddington takes a driving test and makes beef Wellington. Hilarious adventures with Paddington are just what you need when the rest of the world is going mad.
August 25, 2024
Paddington at his most iconic
November 10, 2020
A quiet snooze in Mr Brown's car at the testing centre leads to the wrong Brown being taken for a driving test. Paddington's lack of skill and road sense turns it into a scary experience for the poor examiner! Also paws and gearsticks just don't go together...Mr Curry asks Paddington to test out his new hammock and Paddington ends up more like a fishing boat catch than a relaxed bear! Mr Gruber decides to take Paddington on one of their trips and chooses a Stately Home, so that Paddington can sample their special Beef Wellington. All is well until Paddington decides to help with his own unique version of the dish which the diners will not appreciate...
Mrs Bird and Mr Curry are soon regretting Paddington's desire to get involved in bob-a-job week when he causes a whole new round of utter chaos. Paddington then discovers that you can earn money for being an artist model and goes to investigate further, but of course it doesn't all go to plan. The Brown family decide to get a sauna built in the garden as a special gift but Paddington makes the mistake of mentioning it to Mr Curry who decides to sneak in and use it without permission, which Paddington puts a stop to. A magician also comes to regret selecting the dreaded bear as a volunteer to take part in his show at a local pantomime.
Oh dear, you'd think Paddington's reputation would be known to everyone by now! I feel sorry for anyone who uses him as a volunteer because it always goes pear shaped! I mean, he's really cute and sweet but he can be an utter menace without meaning to be, in an innocent non comprehending sort of way. That's what makes him such an endearing character to read about-his child-like thirst for knowledge and not quite understanding how things actually work! Part of you would love to have him in your life as a friend, but I'm not sure you'd want him volunteering in your shop or living in your house for any length of time!
Another great Paddington adventure and I very much enjoyed the driving test and the sauna incident. Who would have thought that a bear could have so many problems with a combination lock...
Mrs Bird and Mr Curry are soon regretting Paddington's desire to get involved in bob-a-job week when he causes a whole new round of utter chaos. Paddington then discovers that you can earn money for being an artist model and goes to investigate further, but of course it doesn't all go to plan. The Brown family decide to get a sauna built in the garden as a special gift but Paddington makes the mistake of mentioning it to Mr Curry who decides to sneak in and use it without permission, which Paddington puts a stop to. A magician also comes to regret selecting the dreaded bear as a volunteer to take part in his show at a local pantomime.
Oh dear, you'd think Paddington's reputation would be known to everyone by now! I feel sorry for anyone who uses him as a volunteer because it always goes pear shaped! I mean, he's really cute and sweet but he can be an utter menace without meaning to be, in an innocent non comprehending sort of way. That's what makes him such an endearing character to read about-his child-like thirst for knowledge and not quite understanding how things actually work! Part of you would love to have him in your life as a friend, but I'm not sure you'd want him volunteering in your shop or living in your house for any length of time!
Another great Paddington adventure and I very much enjoyed the driving test and the sauna incident. Who would have thought that a bear could have so many problems with a combination lock...
April 22, 2020
If paddington was writing this review he would get coaxed into his neighbour to do it, fall in the garden landing in a bush need to be rescued by the browns with mr brown paying someone off for the hassle and ending with a paddington hard stare....but it's me. Just joyful, read it
September 26, 2018
This is one of my favourite Paddington collections yet!
July 14, 2019
Mr Currie appears a lot in this book and he gets Paddington in a lot of mess. I'm still liking Paddington's misadventures but feel this one isn't as funny as the others.
August 15, 2022
Paddington means well, gets confused, and messes up, but everything works out fine.
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February 20, 2024Paddington Takes The Test
Paddington At The Wheel: Paddington enters a contest to win a car for Mr. Brown who has to retake a driving test for failing to do a hand signal. For the contest, he had to think up a slogan for curretns and turn in a certain number of box tops. But he didn’t read the small print and so he ends up with a bookmark. The contest is on the same day Mr. Brown takes his test so he goes to meet up with the Browns. He ends up falling asleep in the car. The examiner and his superior mistake him for Mr. Brown and attempt to give him the examination. Only he answers the questions wrong and when it’s time to take the driver's portion he can’t see over the wheel or start the car so he ends up having to go under the dash board. Then he crashes into a car that ends up being the supervisors. The examiner tho pays him a visit after word and congratulates Mrs. Brown who was given a second chance to take the test. He also passed his examination and gets a promotion. The examiner gives him a certificate for life for his shopping basket.
(In And Out of Trouble) Paddington notices the hammock in Mr. Curry’s yard and he explains to him what it is. He tells him he’ll be gone for five minutes and allows him to test it. It doesn’t go well as you can imagine. He has trouble getting in the hammock. Then his paws get stuck in the mesh. Then he gets all spun around and caught up in the net. He finally thinks of a solution. There’s a tree by the hammock so he climbs up the tree but spots a bunch of apples. He’s about to go for the apples when Mr. Curry demands he leave his apples alone. So he comes down. Mr. Curry sees the hole in the middle of his hammock and is ticked, but Paddington takes off running. But it turns out it’s the Browns old hammock and it’s been rotted. They put it outside to be thrown out and Mr. Curry picked it up and claimed it. The Browns lead Paddington out to the garden and there he sees another hammock. One that’s safer and easier to climb into. They offer Paddington the chance to be the first to test it but he says no thank you.
(Paddington and the Stately Home). Thinking about the hammock gets Mr. Grubber to thinking about the old days and antiques. He says they’re mostly found now in stately homes. Since Paddington’s never been to one that’s decided for their next outing. The Brown children are invited to come along to. The one there going to specializes in concerts and also has a restaurant. Paddington is impressed with the house. The concert isn’t quite to his test so he slips out an exit and escapes to a room with Queen Elizabeth’s bed. It’s quite uncomfortable. He’s about to leave but the door opens so he fakes sleep. The curtains fling open and someone mistakes him for Queen Elizabeth. Her hears some men talking about the beef Wellington being off. When it’s time to eat, there are complaints that the meet is tough. Paddington has put his Wellington boots inside their pastry. Lord Lucham makes all the guests meals free and invites them to a special event where he’ll serve his beef wellington and sauce.
(Paddington Bob-A-Job) The scouts are holding an event where their offering five pence to do any kind of job. At the end of the week, they’ll hold a jamboree. You could leave a sticker to make sure the jobs been done. Paddington decides to make his own stickers. Of course, this is a disaster. Paddington bumps into Mr. Curry and tells him about Bob A Job week and how he’ll send his money to the Retired Home for Bears (should he make any). Mr. Curry asks if he’ll take his dress shirt and put it on his line. He says it’s expensive and meant for special occasions. He’ll be wearing it to the Jamboree. Paddington offers to o iron it for him and because Mrs. Bird is allowing him to mend he trust him. He says he can do it at his house. Mrs. Bird notices her laundry gone. He tries to iron but ends up destroying Mr. Curry’s shirt. Mr, Curry and Mrs. Bird have different irons. Plus, Paddington’s never ironed before a day in his life, Then he uses cocoa instead of water and this sets fire to everything in range. Then he puts a mushroom up his shirt and this causes a smell. He also pulls the shirt apart. He tries to find some to patch it up with. Paddington joins the Browns at the parade later (in disguise a beard and glasses)... Mr. Curry wears the shirt and the MC thinks this costume is a tent. Mr, Curry is outraged until he finds out he’s won first prize. They make him split the prize with Paddington, The MC asks what he’ll do with the money. He says he’ll give the money to the Retired Home and he’d like the bob Mr. Curry promised him.
(Paddington Gets A Rise) Paddington tries to get a telegram sent to mr. Brown but it’s too expensive. He does have it sent, It’s Mr. Brown’s bday and he made a special card and thought the telegram would be a good idea. His funds are low. On the way to Mr. Grubber’s, he sees an ad for needing a model so he goes right over. The man is thrilled to have him (tired of painting fruit). Since this is a “life” class he asks Paddington to take off his coat, but Paddington doesn’t go for it. Romney Marsh doesn’t argue and says they’ll pretend he’s a statue. Paddington isn’t able to stay in pose because there’s a fly. Romney is ticked off because he says the job pays twenty pence and Paddington is offended because he thought it was more. Romney says if he comes every day that week it’ll add up. The higher rates are for the more professionals. His legs fall asleep and he falls over (knocking everything to the floor with him). Sadly no one offers to help him get up. He gets up and gets out of there. Thankfully M. Grubber is there with cocoa and wisdom. After the talk, he finds he’s eighty-nine pence richer and can send Mr. Brown the telegram. But Mr. Grubber says he has a better idea. On his bday, Paddington hears a noise outside. He thinks it’s a cat. But it’s a singing telegram boy (Paddington). Mr. Brown says he’s going to put him on his bday honors list. He’s going to give him a rise in his pocket money.
(Mr. Curry Lets Off Steam) The Browns plan to give Mr. Brown a sauna bath for his bday. Paddington decides to have a peek. Not that he thinks a bath is all that great a present. Mr. Brown has been talking about losing weight so they decide this is a good way to do that. While Paddington is looking, Mr. Curry comes over and asks what’s going on.. Then he starts to complain about “that monstrosity”. So, Paddington explains what a saunda bath is. Mr. Curry takes this as an invitation. The Browns aren’t happy and wonder why they didn’t put a padlock on the door. Paddington offers his present (a combination lock). He says the combination is his bday so they won’t forget. He hurriedly goes to put the lock on. Then he locks it. Paddington hears knocking and someone starts shaking the door. It’s Mr. Curry. Paddington ahs a hard time getting the lock open with his paws and with the steam in his eyes. Mr. Curry is looking more and more like a lobster. None of the Brows are around. Paddington tries to use a stethoscope but to no avail. Then he has an idea. He rushes off and Mrs.Bird sees him with a pail and a ladder. He starts to dump snow over into the sauna. Jonathan is able to get the lock open. When he gets out, Mr. Curry is dripping with snow on his head. He threatens Paddington but Mrs. Bird shuts him down and he stomps off. Jonathan tells Paddington he used the wrong bday. It’s his winter one that opens the lock.
(Pantomime Time) The Browns take Paddington to the theatre for Pantomime Time. There are some scammers selling highly-priced programs. Paddington buys seven and has to pay twenty-one pounds. Judy and Jonath try to explain the dame is always played by a male and the lead male is always played by a female. This makes no sense to Paddington but they can’t explain the reason. The name of it is Dick Whittington. During the intermission, Mr. Brown explains the story. He decides he likes it tho he can do without the singing and dancing. I HEAR YA ON THAT! There’s a magician called the Great Divide who calls for a volunteer. Paddington goes onto the stage. His first trick is sawing Paddington in two. The Browns watch anxiously. The trick goes off without fail. The next trick is making Paddington disappear. Again the trick is a success. But when he comes back, Paddington says he feels sick and his suitcase has disappeared. He brings it back, but it’s empty. But all his things are in his secret compartment. As he retrieves each object, Paddington gets a round of applause. The Great Divide at the end of the night gives Paddington a saw. At the end of the night, Paddington asks for a box but Mrs. Bird says no, Besides Mr. Brown doesn’t want to share their elevensis with two.
My Thoughts
MUCH BETTER! I understood all the stories and not one dragged because it was about a sports event. I do though wonder about these people’s sanity. Let’s just pretend for a minute and look all over the fact that this is a talking bear. How do you confuse a MAN for a bear? Then give the BEAR a driving test? He can’t even reach the pedals. I mean. Even with Mr. Grubber, He KNOWS he can’t just let his mind drift off and take his eyes of Paddington or he’ll wander off and his boots will end up in the food. He’s very much like a small child. They don’t know any better still. You ALWAYS have to stay on the alert. Mr. Curry, I just do NOT feel sorry for. He also knows what will happen when he lets Paddington do things for him, but yet he lets him do things anyway in order to manipulate him. So, he gets what he deserves every single time. But you’d think when he saw Paddington coming, he’d RUN in the opposite direction but he’s right there egging him on. Practically BEGGING for a disaster. I think he’s just one of those people that NEEDS something to be mad about.
Rating: 6
Paddington At The Wheel: Paddington enters a contest to win a car for Mr. Brown who has to retake a driving test for failing to do a hand signal. For the contest, he had to think up a slogan for curretns and turn in a certain number of box tops. But he didn’t read the small print and so he ends up with a bookmark. The contest is on the same day Mr. Brown takes his test so he goes to meet up with the Browns. He ends up falling asleep in the car. The examiner and his superior mistake him for Mr. Brown and attempt to give him the examination. Only he answers the questions wrong and when it’s time to take the driver's portion he can’t see over the wheel or start the car so he ends up having to go under the dash board. Then he crashes into a car that ends up being the supervisors. The examiner tho pays him a visit after word and congratulates Mrs. Brown who was given a second chance to take the test. He also passed his examination and gets a promotion. The examiner gives him a certificate for life for his shopping basket.
(In And Out of Trouble) Paddington notices the hammock in Mr. Curry’s yard and he explains to him what it is. He tells him he’ll be gone for five minutes and allows him to test it. It doesn’t go well as you can imagine. He has trouble getting in the hammock. Then his paws get stuck in the mesh. Then he gets all spun around and caught up in the net. He finally thinks of a solution. There’s a tree by the hammock so he climbs up the tree but spots a bunch of apples. He’s about to go for the apples when Mr. Curry demands he leave his apples alone. So he comes down. Mr. Curry sees the hole in the middle of his hammock and is ticked, but Paddington takes off running. But it turns out it’s the Browns old hammock and it’s been rotted. They put it outside to be thrown out and Mr. Curry picked it up and claimed it. The Browns lead Paddington out to the garden and there he sees another hammock. One that’s safer and easier to climb into. They offer Paddington the chance to be the first to test it but he says no thank you.
(Paddington and the Stately Home). Thinking about the hammock gets Mr. Grubber to thinking about the old days and antiques. He says they’re mostly found now in stately homes. Since Paddington’s never been to one that’s decided for their next outing. The Brown children are invited to come along to. The one there going to specializes in concerts and also has a restaurant. Paddington is impressed with the house. The concert isn’t quite to his test so he slips out an exit and escapes to a room with Queen Elizabeth’s bed. It’s quite uncomfortable. He’s about to leave but the door opens so he fakes sleep. The curtains fling open and someone mistakes him for Queen Elizabeth. Her hears some men talking about the beef Wellington being off. When it’s time to eat, there are complaints that the meet is tough. Paddington has put his Wellington boots inside their pastry. Lord Lucham makes all the guests meals free and invites them to a special event where he’ll serve his beef wellington and sauce.
(Paddington Bob-A-Job) The scouts are holding an event where their offering five pence to do any kind of job. At the end of the week, they’ll hold a jamboree. You could leave a sticker to make sure the jobs been done. Paddington decides to make his own stickers. Of course, this is a disaster. Paddington bumps into Mr. Curry and tells him about Bob A Job week and how he’ll send his money to the Retired Home for Bears (should he make any). Mr. Curry asks if he’ll take his dress shirt and put it on his line. He says it’s expensive and meant for special occasions. He’ll be wearing it to the Jamboree. Paddington offers to o iron it for him and because Mrs. Bird is allowing him to mend he trust him. He says he can do it at his house. Mrs. Bird notices her laundry gone. He tries to iron but ends up destroying Mr. Curry’s shirt. Mr, Curry and Mrs. Bird have different irons. Plus, Paddington’s never ironed before a day in his life, Then he uses cocoa instead of water and this sets fire to everything in range. Then he puts a mushroom up his shirt and this causes a smell. He also pulls the shirt apart. He tries to find some to patch it up with. Paddington joins the Browns at the parade later (in disguise a beard and glasses)... Mr. Curry wears the shirt and the MC thinks this costume is a tent. Mr, Curry is outraged until he finds out he’s won first prize. They make him split the prize with Paddington, The MC asks what he’ll do with the money. He says he’ll give the money to the Retired Home and he’d like the bob Mr. Curry promised him.
(Paddington Gets A Rise) Paddington tries to get a telegram sent to mr. Brown but it’s too expensive. He does have it sent, It’s Mr. Brown’s bday and he made a special card and thought the telegram would be a good idea. His funds are low. On the way to Mr. Grubber’s, he sees an ad for needing a model so he goes right over. The man is thrilled to have him (tired of painting fruit). Since this is a “life” class he asks Paddington to take off his coat, but Paddington doesn’t go for it. Romney Marsh doesn’t argue and says they’ll pretend he’s a statue. Paddington isn’t able to stay in pose because there’s a fly. Romney is ticked off because he says the job pays twenty pence and Paddington is offended because he thought it was more. Romney says if he comes every day that week it’ll add up. The higher rates are for the more professionals. His legs fall asleep and he falls over (knocking everything to the floor with him). Sadly no one offers to help him get up. He gets up and gets out of there. Thankfully M. Grubber is there with cocoa and wisdom. After the talk, he finds he’s eighty-nine pence richer and can send Mr. Brown the telegram. But Mr. Grubber says he has a better idea. On his bday, Paddington hears a noise outside. He thinks it’s a cat. But it’s a singing telegram boy (Paddington). Mr. Brown says he’s going to put him on his bday honors list. He’s going to give him a rise in his pocket money.
(Mr. Curry Lets Off Steam) The Browns plan to give Mr. Brown a sauna bath for his bday. Paddington decides to have a peek. Not that he thinks a bath is all that great a present. Mr. Brown has been talking about losing weight so they decide this is a good way to do that. While Paddington is looking, Mr. Curry comes over and asks what’s going on.. Then he starts to complain about “that monstrosity”. So, Paddington explains what a saunda bath is. Mr. Curry takes this as an invitation. The Browns aren’t happy and wonder why they didn’t put a padlock on the door. Paddington offers his present (a combination lock). He says the combination is his bday so they won’t forget. He hurriedly goes to put the lock on. Then he locks it. Paddington hears knocking and someone starts shaking the door. It’s Mr. Curry. Paddington ahs a hard time getting the lock open with his paws and with the steam in his eyes. Mr. Curry is looking more and more like a lobster. None of the Brows are around. Paddington tries to use a stethoscope but to no avail. Then he has an idea. He rushes off and Mrs.Bird sees him with a pail and a ladder. He starts to dump snow over into the sauna. Jonathan is able to get the lock open. When he gets out, Mr. Curry is dripping with snow on his head. He threatens Paddington but Mrs. Bird shuts him down and he stomps off. Jonathan tells Paddington he used the wrong bday. It’s his winter one that opens the lock.
(Pantomime Time) The Browns take Paddington to the theatre for Pantomime Time. There are some scammers selling highly-priced programs. Paddington buys seven and has to pay twenty-one pounds. Judy and Jonath try to explain the dame is always played by a male and the lead male is always played by a female. This makes no sense to Paddington but they can’t explain the reason. The name of it is Dick Whittington. During the intermission, Mr. Brown explains the story. He decides he likes it tho he can do without the singing and dancing. I HEAR YA ON THAT! There’s a magician called the Great Divide who calls for a volunteer. Paddington goes onto the stage. His first trick is sawing Paddington in two. The Browns watch anxiously. The trick goes off without fail. The next trick is making Paddington disappear. Again the trick is a success. But when he comes back, Paddington says he feels sick and his suitcase has disappeared. He brings it back, but it’s empty. But all his things are in his secret compartment. As he retrieves each object, Paddington gets a round of applause. The Great Divide at the end of the night gives Paddington a saw. At the end of the night, Paddington asks for a box but Mrs. Bird says no, Besides Mr. Brown doesn’t want to share their elevensis with two.
My Thoughts
MUCH BETTER! I understood all the stories and not one dragged because it was about a sports event. I do though wonder about these people’s sanity. Let’s just pretend for a minute and look all over the fact that this is a talking bear. How do you confuse a MAN for a bear? Then give the BEAR a driving test? He can’t even reach the pedals. I mean. Even with Mr. Grubber, He KNOWS he can’t just let his mind drift off and take his eyes of Paddington or he’ll wander off and his boots will end up in the food. He’s very much like a small child. They don’t know any better still. You ALWAYS have to stay on the alert. Mr. Curry, I just do NOT feel sorry for. He also knows what will happen when he lets Paddington do things for him, but yet he lets him do things anyway in order to manipulate him. So, he gets what he deserves every single time. But you’d think when he saw Paddington coming, he’d RUN in the opposite direction but he’s right there egging him on. Practically BEGGING for a disaster. I think he’s just one of those people that NEEDS something to be mad about.
Rating: 6
April 26, 2025
Marvellous! These seven compilation of short stories regarding Paddington Bear were extremely better than the prior ones - not saying that the others' weren't good. It's just these stories have some more of Mr Curry, who is my favourite duo to partner up with Paddington, because the two together are just a recipe for disaster, where I end up laughing no end!
February 20, 2024
Great stories and illustrations once again
September 17, 2024
Not my favorite Paddington book, but it was still fun and delightful! I definitely recommend it if you enjoy the series.
September 9, 2025
Love this bear
December 5, 2013
One of the first books I owned as a child was a Paddington Bear book. It was a second hand popup book about Paddington going shopping. Or at least I think it was about that because I couldn’t read yet and I never asked anyone to read it to me. I use to love pulling all the tabs, flaps and popups in the book. So, when I saw this Paddington chapter book in a church thrift store, I decided to buy it for old time sakes.
Paddington Takes a Test is just one of many Paddington Bear books. Paddington Bear is a little brown bear who comes from Peru. He moves to England and lives with the Browns. The Browns are a typical family with a mother, father and two kids. In this adventure, Paddington tests out new experiences, such as taking a driving test, trying out a hammock and odd jobs and hobbies. Along the way he gets up to all sorts of trouble due to his naiveté.
In the book, everyone takes his antics with good humour. If it were an 80s sitcom, all the characters would be saying “Oh Paddington!” and laugh. There’s even a stereotypical grumpy neighbour called Mr Curry who keeps asking Paddington to do various things for him. He even turns purple with rage when Paddington messes up or says something impertinent. It’s a wonder he didn’t keel over from all that anger.
The book was very predictable but it is still enjoyable and it’s meant for little children after all. I think Paddington Bear is a nice book to read to children. There are little pictures in the book which are just so cute. There are all kinds of Paddington Bear books to suit different ages and you can get old ones in thrift shops and new updated ones in bookstores. I just found out that there’s going to be a new Paddington Bear movie which will be released next Christmas in 2014. I am certainly going to see it.
Paddington Takes a Test is just one of many Paddington Bear books. Paddington Bear is a little brown bear who comes from Peru. He moves to England and lives with the Browns. The Browns are a typical family with a mother, father and two kids. In this adventure, Paddington tests out new experiences, such as taking a driving test, trying out a hammock and odd jobs and hobbies. Along the way he gets up to all sorts of trouble due to his naiveté.
In the book, everyone takes his antics with good humour. If it were an 80s sitcom, all the characters would be saying “Oh Paddington!” and laugh. There’s even a stereotypical grumpy neighbour called Mr Curry who keeps asking Paddington to do various things for him. He even turns purple with rage when Paddington messes up or says something impertinent. It’s a wonder he didn’t keel over from all that anger.
The book was very predictable but it is still enjoyable and it’s meant for little children after all. I think Paddington Bear is a nice book to read to children. There are little pictures in the book which are just so cute. There are all kinds of Paddington Bear books to suit different ages and you can get old ones in thrift shops and new updated ones in bookstores. I just found out that there’s going to be a new Paddington Bear movie which will be released next Christmas in 2014. I am certainly going to see it.
February 5, 2015
It was an awesome book
March 13, 2015
another good collection of Paddington's (mis)adventures.
In this one he accidentally takes a driving test, causes more trouble with Mr Curry etc.
In this one he accidentally takes a driving test, causes more trouble with Mr Curry etc.
March 8, 2018
I love this book and Paddington Bear!!! Although this is farther into the Paddington timeline, it still was a charming collection of stories that really reminded me of Winnie the Pooh stories I used to read when I was a kid. And even though I love Pooh Bear, while reading the Paddington stories the reader can easily get a lot more humor out of them because of the fact that this bear takes things literally. A perfect example of this is in the first chapter, when Paddington is taking the driving test and the instructor tells Paddington to "bear right" which leads him to believe that a bear (animal) is on the right side of the road. See this is just a taste of the joy and wonder that is Paddington Bear and I of course highly recommend anyone to go buy this book, if you can find it at your local bookstore. One last thing I liked about the Paddington stories is that they all connect to each other in the fact that they all occur around the same time period, so that was good. Michael Bond brings such a charm to this character that anyone of any age can enjoy and has made me a Paddington fan just by reading the first book (at least mine). Now that is definitely a good sign. Now I really want some marmalade!!!
September 2, 2024
More than twenty years after introducing the world to Paddington Bear, Michael Bond published his eleventh story collection - "Paddington Takes the Test." Paddington lives with the Brown family in London, where his curiosity routinely gets him into and out of trouble.
The test of the title refers to a driving test in the book's first story. A case of mistaken identity leads a civil servant to take the talking bear on a driving test, which ends in a harrowing cruise through London.
Similar cases of misunderstanding occur throughout the seven stories, such as when the bear thought that Wellington boots were an ingredient in Beef Wellington.
Paddington's selfish neighbor, Mr. Curry, is featured heavily in these stories. Mr. Curry invites himself into the family's new sauna but gets locked inside; Curry tricks Paddington into ironing a fancy shirt with predictably disastrous results; and Curry gets Paddington to try out a hammock picked from the trash.
Michael Bond continued to delight readers into his third decade of stories about his most famous creation. After publishing this book, the author set aside writing short stories about Paddington for another twenty years. This volume was a good note on which to break.
The test of the title refers to a driving test in the book's first story. A case of mistaken identity leads a civil servant to take the talking bear on a driving test, which ends in a harrowing cruise through London.
Similar cases of misunderstanding occur throughout the seven stories, such as when the bear thought that Wellington boots were an ingredient in Beef Wellington.
Paddington's selfish neighbor, Mr. Curry, is featured heavily in these stories. Mr. Curry invites himself into the family's new sauna but gets locked inside; Curry tricks Paddington into ironing a fancy shirt with predictably disastrous results; and Curry gets Paddington to try out a hammock picked from the trash.
Michael Bond continued to delight readers into his third decade of stories about his most famous creation. After publishing this book, the author set aside writing short stories about Paddington for another twenty years. This volume was a good note on which to break.
August 23, 2020
Paddington Takes The Test (1979) by Michael Bond is a wonderful fun-filled book.
In this book Paddington goes on numerous adventures including trying out a hammock, being a model in an art studio, accidentally locking his neighbour Mr. Curry in a sauna, taking a driving test, going to a stately house and the theatre, doing some ironing and designing and getting a gift for Mr. Brown’s birthday.
I really enjoyed the book from start to finish. Paddington is such a fantastic protagonist. Really adorable and really funny. He makes each story brilliant with his sparkling personality. The writing is outstanding, flows incredibly easily and is super imaginative and creative. Great slices of life.
A very joyful must-read.
In this book Paddington goes on numerous adventures including trying out a hammock, being a model in an art studio, accidentally locking his neighbour Mr. Curry in a sauna, taking a driving test, going to a stately house and the theatre, doing some ironing and designing and getting a gift for Mr. Brown’s birthday.
I really enjoyed the book from start to finish. Paddington is such a fantastic protagonist. Really adorable and really funny. He makes each story brilliant with his sparkling personality. The writing is outstanding, flows incredibly easily and is super imaginative and creative. Great slices of life.
A very joyful must-read.
February 4, 2018
I read this aloud to my children, ages 13 and 10. My 13 year old found it very funny, as did I. My 10 year old needed a lot of explanations for what was happening. I think this is simply because the events, which were written almost 40 years ago, are not things children today necessarily understand without books like this. However, I found this book seemed more repetitive in its words and phrasing. I realize with this being the 11th book, one should possibly expect that by now. However, before now each story seemed new and fun, even if they were sometimes predictable.
October 11, 2023
The Paddington stories are perfect for young children, who I believe can relate to Paddington's tendency to take things very literally. I remember being quite young the first time I heard the term "rest room". I had no idea the person was talking about a bathroom. In my head I pi8ctured a room full of cots where you could go have a rest. I think I finally worked out what they were talking about, but there were some moments of confusion. That is Paddington's constant dilemma - what on earth are people talking about?
May 21, 2021
Another collection of Paddington bear adventures, and they had my children in stitches. The titular ‘Takes the Test’ chapter opens the book, and is probably the weakest of the seven included, but the rest are excellent; Mr. Curry’s surprising adventure in the Brown’s garden probably being the highlight.
March 12, 2022
This book is talking about Paddington, which is a talking and walking bear, accidentally taking a driving test, becoming a model at an art school, or being sawed in half at a magic show. But no matter what adventures are awaiting him, Paddington always comes through them one by one with funny stories.
October 11, 2018
Cute and fun but not as fun as the first two books. Paddington is so loveable though! My girls picked this one to listen to in the car. I am not sure how much they really got of it because I was the only one chuckling and gasping but they were still sad when it ended.
June 27, 2020
I've loved Paddington for as long as I can remember and this book made me fall in love with him all over again. This little marmalade loving bear will never fail to make me smile with his everyday adventures and pure, innocent way of viewing the world.
February 4, 2023
Another fun Paddington book featuring Paddington accidentally taking a driving test, trying to find a birthday gift for Mr. Brown, and locking Mr. Curry in a sauna. Good laughs for my 7-year-old grandson.
March 24, 2024
"Paddington Takes the Test" by Michael Bond showed you that bravery and humor make challenges fun. Like Paddington, face new tests with courage and laughter. Your positive spirit will make every adventure enjoyable.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Love,
Mom and Dad
February 3, 2025
Found this audiobook via the lobby app from my library, and it was such a wholesome listen while all the things are going on in the world. Sadly the library doesn’t have any other long Paddington listens.
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