If you’re looking to spark a lifelong love of reading in a child, or rekindle your own fondness for a certain polite, marmalade-loving bear, then Paddington’s Suitcase by Michael Bond is a delightful place to start. This charming collection of books, eight short stories beautifully illustrated by R. W. Alley, brings together the timeless adventures of Paddington Bear in a child-sized, portable “suitcase” that’s as endearing as the bear himself. It’s a literary treasure trove that invites readers young and old to journey through London and beyond, all without leaving the comfort of their favourite reading nook.
Young readers were introduced to Paddington Bear when he first arrived on the literary scene in October 1958, and over six decades later, he remains one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature. With his distinctive blue duffel coat, red bush hat and battered suitcase (often stuffed with his favourite marmalade sandwiches), Paddington has become a symbol of kindness, curiosity and good manners – qualities that feel more relevant than ever. In Paddington’s Suitcase, young page turners are treated to eight bite-sized adventures, although they will need to provide their own sandwiches, that showcase his knack for turning everyday outings into unforgettable escapades.
This suitcase full of literary fun includes:
- Paddington and the Busy Day: Paddington finds himself at a loose end, which spells trouble for the Brown family! They have lots of suggestions for jobs to keep him occupied, but Paddington’s ways of doing things are not always what’s expected . . .
- Paddington and the Marmalade Maze: When Paddington Mr Gruber visit Hampton Court Palace, they are joined by a group of tourists who all expect to come back home with them for tea! Luckily, Paddington finds an a-mazing way out of the situation . . .
- Paddington and the Tutti Frutti Rainbow: When the Browns take Paddington on a trip to the seaside, a storm threatens to dampen their day. Will an extra-special ice-cream and some wishful thinking bring the sun out again?
- Paddington at the Fair: Paddington enjoys a fun-filled day at the fair with the Browns. He tries his paw at the coconut shy, slides down the helter-skelter and even jets off on the sky-rocketing Space Craft ride! All in all, a rather exhausting day for a small bear, as the fortune-teller knowingly predicts.
- Paddington at the Palace: When Mr Gruber takes Paddington to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard, there are so many people in the way he can’t see anything! Luckily, a mysterious someone “on high” appears to like small bears . . .
- Paddington at the Zoo: When Paddington visits the zoo, he takes enough marmalade sandwiches to last all day. However, he is none too pleased when he realises how popular they are with the zoo’s inhabitants!
- Paddington Minds the House: When the Browns go out for the day, Paddington decides to surprise them by baking a chocolate cake and spring cleaning the house. However, it isn’t a good idea to try and do both things at the same time, as Paddington soon finds out . . .
- Paddington the Artist: When Paddington goes to an outdoor Painting exhibition, he is inspired to work on his own masterpieces. And it’s not long before he sells some of his paintings to a mysterious art collector!
Each story in Paddington’s Suitcase is a standalone book in its own right, standalone gems filled with gentle humour, whimsical mishaps and Paddington’s signature blend of earnestness and charm. From baking a chocolate cake while spring cleaning (I wouldn’t recommended it), navigating a maze at Hampton Court Palace or attempting to mind the house with predictably chaotic results, Paddington’s adventures are always entertaining and heartwarming fun.
Overall, Paddington’s Suitcase is a fun small collection of enjoyable Paddington stories that children will lovingly adore and can take everywhere with them. What makes this set particularly special is its compact format. The books are perfectly sized for the small hands of young readers, with around 20 pages each, featuring large, easy-to-read text – the compact size and quick, short stories is not so overwhelming for young readers. Each book is beautifully illustrated by R. W. Alley; the illustrations are bold, lively and expressive, superbly capturing Paddington’s warmth and well-intentioned mishaps. But the standout feature has to be the suitcase that houses the books – a sturdy colourful case with a Velcro fastening and a plastic carry handle that makes it ideal for traveling, sleepovers or for simply encouraging children to take ownership of their reading. It’s a fantastic way to introduce the concept of a personal library and reading to children – and something that can help encourage independent reading and a genuine lifelong love for books.
This collection of short stories offers more than just reading entertainment. It’s a gentle tool for building good reading habits, from shared story time to independent reading. The stories are short enough to hold a young reader’s attention, while still being rich enough to spark imagination and discussion. And with Paddington’s polite nature, impeccable manners and problem-solving spirit, Paddington’s Suitcase also has subtle lessons in empathy, resilience and the value of good intentions – even if things can go hilariously wrong.
Despite his rise to international stardom with books, movies, bus tours and even a dedicated Paddington Bear Experience in London, the heart of Paddington’s appeal remains in the pages of these stories. This collection of eight charming tales are comforting, full of joy and classically timeless. Whether you are discovering Paddington for the first time or rereading as an adult, they remain delightful. This collection showcases Paddington’s world, one where kindness matters, mistakes and mishaps are met with understanding … and marmalade sandwiches are always close at hand (just don’t put yours in your hat or in your suitcase).
Paddington’s Suitcase is a wonderful gift, a perfect addition to any child’s home library and a brilliant way to introduce, or possibly reintroduce, readers to the magic that is Paddington Bear. As Paddington himself might say, “A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency”, I say “Always keep a book in your bag … or suitcase!” Prepare for eight delightful journeys with one of the most lovable bears in fiction.
RRP: 5/5
RRP: £16.99
For more information visit www.paddington.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
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