A Bear Called Paddington: Paddington Anniversary Edition
#1 of 16 in Paddington Bear Series
on Goodreads (84,725)
What’s inside...
This classic tale tells the story of a small bear from Darkest Peru who is found at Paddington railway station by the Brown family. With his old hat, battered suitcase, and love of marmalade, Paddington embarks on many adventures, often causing unintended chaos but always with good intentions and a heartwarming sense of humor. Unabridged and illustrated in glorious full-colour throughout, this exquisite gift edition of the original story of everyone's favourite bear, Paddington, is truly to be treasured! Paddington is now a major movie star. 'A bear? On Paddington station?' Mrs Brown looked at her husband in amazement. 'Don't be silly, Henry. There can't be!' Paddington Bear had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru when the Brown family first met him on Paddington station. Since then their lives have never been quite the same... for ordinary things become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is involved.
Discussion points
What do you think Paddington felt when he first arrived in London? How would you feel in a new place?
Paddington often gets into mischief despite his good intentions. Can you think of a time when something similar happened to you?
How do the Brown family members react to Paddington's antics? What does this tell us about how families can care for each other?
What are some ways that Paddington shows kindness to others? How can we apply this in our daily lives?
If you were to write the next chapter of Paddington's adventures, what would happen?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Listen actively and validate their emotions.
Discuss the similarities and differences between your child's experiences and Paddington’s adventures to foster empathy and understanding.
Highlight the lessons Paddington learns in the book and relate them to real-life scenarios your child might encounter, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Use the book’s humorous and quirky scenarios to introduce discussions on handling unforeseen outcomes gracefully and with a positive attitude.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Kindness and compassion
Explanation: Paddington Bear often finds himself in various predicaments but he is always met with kindness by the Brown family, who adopted him. This continuous display of compassion and understanding helps Paddington navigate his new life.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being kind and compassionate towards others, regardless of their background or situations, fostering a sense of empathy and social responsibility.
Example Lesson: Adaptability and resilience
Explanation: Despite being far from his home in Peru, Paddington adapts to his new surroundings in London. His resilience in face of change and challenges exemplifies the power of positive thinking and flexibility.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace new environments or changes in life, whether it's moving to a new place, starting at a new school, or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: Paddington's endless curiosity leads him to learn more about the world around him. His adventures are largely driven by his desire to understand how things work or to participate in new experiences.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to remain curious and explore their own environments, enhancing their cognitive development and encouraging lifelong learning.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: In many stories, Paddington encounters problems that he must solve, often creatively and with unexpected solutions. These scenarios highlight the importance of critical thinking and creativity.
Real-World Application: This aspect of the stories teaches children to think critically about the challenges they face and to come up with creative solutions, which is an essential skill in both academic and everyday contexts.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and home
Explanation: The Brown family providing a home and a sense of belonging to Paddington emphasizes the themes of family, security, and love, regardless of biological ties.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand and appreciate the value of family connections and the comforts of having a supportive home environment.