Paddington Bear Turns 'the Big 5-0'

SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 6/2/2008 12:20:00 PM

Can Paddington Bear actually have reached the Big 5-0?

In fact, June 25 is the date that the marmalade-loving children's character reaches middle age, says his publisher, HarperCollins. That milestone has prompted a yearlong celebration of the children's series that was launched way back in 1958 with A Bear Called Paddington, written by Michael Bond.

A special Web site, offers parents and teachers of young Paddington fans activity pages, a list of events (sorry, they’re in the United Kingdom), and a competition where readers are asked to state in 20 words or less, "I like Paddington because…." (June 30 is the deadline.) The prize will be a signed copy of the newest book, Paddington Here and Now (HarperCollins, 2008), by Michael Bond.

To date, Paddington books have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 40 languages. They've also raised millions for medical research.