Paddington Bear is 50!

Written by admin on May 30th, 2008

On 25th June he will be 50 years of age. Happy Birthday Paddington!

Paddington Bear first appeared from Darkest Peru in October 1958, in A Bear Called Paddington, written by Michael Bond. This cheerful bear has delighted generations of readers with his warmth and good intentions – and the hilarious sticky situations these intentions tend to result in.

To celebrate, he has a brand new book!

Paddington Here and Now:

Life at Number 32 Windsor Gardens is considerably enlivened by the arrival, out of the blue, of a mysterious stranger, who not only disturbs the normal peace and quiet but forces Paddington to consider where his ‘home’ really is. Long-awaited and much anticipated, this brand new book celebrates the enduring charm of the world-famous bear, and is sure to be a hit with old fans and new readers alike…

Things You Need to Know about Paddington Bear:

Paddington Bear first appeared in the book A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond, in 1958.

Paddington books have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, and are available in more than 40 languages, including Latin – ‘Ursus Nomine Paddington’ was published in 1999.

Paddington is originally from Darkest Peru and was sent to England by his Aunt Lucy.

He lives with the Brown family at Number 32 Windsor Gardens in London’s Notting Hill area, close to Paddington Station where he was found by Mr Brown.

Paddington has two birthdays: June 25th and Christmas Day

Paddington’s possessions include an old bush hat, a blue duffle coat, a pair of Wellington boots, a brown leather suitcase and his treasured scrapbook

His favourite food is marmalade – he often has a marmalade sandwich tucked under his hat “in case of emergencies”

Paddington made his television debut in 1975 in the stop-motion puppet animation made in the UK by FilmFair and narrated using the wonderfully distinctive voice of Sir Michael Hordern.

Warner Bros Pictures have announced production of the first ever live-action feature film starring Paddington.

In 1976 Paddington began his long-standing relationship with Action Medical Research, an independent charity which raises millions of pounds for essential medical research.

Paddington was chosen by English tunnellers as the first item to pass through to their French counterparts when the two sides of the Channel Tunnel were linked up in 1994.

An avid traveller, he also ventured out to sea with Sir Richard Branson in 1986, when Branson attempted to break the Blue Riband world speed record for a transatlantic crossing.

In 1997, Michael Bond, creator of Paddington, received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to children’s literature.

In 2000, Michael Bond unveiled a bronze, life-sized statue of the bear he created on London’s Paddington Station.

In 2006, Paddington and Michael Bond visited Buckingham Palace for the Party in the Palace children’s event.

A special anniversary website has also been set up, at www.paddington50th.com, where you can find out more about all the anniversary activity happening throughout 2008.