A Bear

Paddington, a favourite with children for 58 years, is now a film star...

Paddington bear started life as a character in a children's book. At Christmas, in 1956, a man, called Michael Bond bought a teddy bear from a shop near Paddington Station in London. Michael Bond's ambition was to be an author... and the teddy Paddington gave him the perfect idea for a story. In just ten days he wrote A Bear Called Paddington.

Paddington's personality
Paddington is a very polite bear who comes to England from Peru. He speaks impeccable English and he has his own special style: a blue duffle coat, a large hat and Wellington boots. He carries an old suitcase which is full of mermalade sandwiches, and he has a label round his neck marked "Please look after this bear".

Paddington comes to life
Paddington's famous label is part of his success. When Paddington was transformed into a teddy bear in 1972, people immediately wanted to "look after" him! The creators of the toy could not make enough Paddingtons. In just one year, 87,000 bears were sold!

From books to TV
The first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958 but, Michael Bond  wrote published 150 other Paddington stories too. They have been translated into more than 40 languages, which made author Bond rich and famous. And, in 1975 Paddington Bear became a TV series which children all over the world loved.