A Bear Called Paddington Remains Suitcase with a Label Around Have Been Sold Across the World

Book BOOKtopic TOPIC TEACH READING & WRITING KS1

Published by Illustrations © Peggy Fortnum and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd 1958-2018 A Bear HarperCollins Called Paddington Celebrate the famous bear’s 60th anniversary by looking back at the book where it all began...

CAREY FLUKER HUNT

“A bear? On Paddington station?” they say, is history. age of 91. “To me he’s very real.” And it’s this Mrs Brown looked at her husband in In the 60 years since A Bear Called combination of integrity, belief and joie de amazement. “Don’t be silly, Henry. Paddington was published, his adventures vivre that gives Bond’s stories their There can’t be!” have been translated into 40 languages enduring appeal. ut there it was, sitting on a and many millions of copies of the books A Bear Called Paddington remains suitcase with a label around have been sold across the world. as engagingly fresh and accessible today its neck, surveying the world Described by his creator Michael Bond as it was in 1958 and is great fun to read earnestly from beneath a very as ‘eternally optimistic’, Paddington stands aloud. The chapters feature linked yet Bbattered hat. ‘Please look after this bear. up for fairness and common sense but is self-contained stories, offering rich Thank you’ said the label – and how could always getting himself into scrapes despite opportunities for cross-curricular activities. the Browns refuse such a polite request? his best intentions. “I know just what There’s also plenty of scope for children to Paddington went home with them to eat (Paddington’s) thinking,” Bond said, read on independently through the other marmalade sandwiches and the rest, as shortly before his death last year at the titles in the series.

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How to share the book agree about everything? Why or why not? What do children already know about Are good manners the same everywhere Paddington? They’ll probably talk about and under every circumstance? film or TV versions. Discuss the ‘page to “Different people have different ideas about screen’ idea, then explain that you’re going being good.” to read the very first book, written 60 years Is being polite the same as being good? ago. What was the world like in 1958? What is courtesy? Is it possible to be polite Find out first-hand from people who can and bad? Use P4C approaches to explore share memories. these or similar questions. Can you agree Show Peggy Fortnum’s title page on Paddington-inspired guidelines to help drawing. What does it tell us about everyone be more caring and courteous? Paddington? Read Michael Bond’s What choices does Paddington description: “It seemed a very unusual make in these stories, and what are the kind of bear. It was brown in colour … and attributes that drive these choices? it was wearing a most odd-looking hat, with (Kindness, empathy, practicality.) Bond a wide brim.” What does the drawing add says Paddington “has his feet firmly on the to Bond’s words? (Dirty paws, ground and ... a very strong sense of right Paddington’s vulnerability.) and wrong” – so much so that when faced When you start reading, aim to share with a problem, Bond often asked himself a whole chapter at a time so children can Friends for Paddington what Paddington would do. Draw up a become absorbed in the story. Leave plenty Bond chose Paddington’s name because list of challenging situations. How might of time for discussion. Prioritise storytime he “liked the sound of it, and names are Paddington deal with them? Make a so you’re reading when children are alert important – particularly if you are a bear.” ‘What would Paddington do?’ poster for and you won’t be interrupted. And keep Give a soft toy or photo of one to each your classroom. the momentum going – a daily chapter child. Using atlases and gazetteers, make will make all the difference to everyone’s a list of possible bear names for children Map work engagement and enjoyment. to choose from. Create character profiles “Paddington liked geography. At least, he for your bears – fill in quizzes to prompt liked his geography...” Practical activities imaginative thinking – then make each Story structures bear a passport and suitcase. Once the Look at a map to help you work out bears are ready to travel, send them home Paddington’s Peru-London itinerary. “Things are always happening to me. I’m that He was going to tell Judy about South sort of bear.” to take part in family activities. Document to share in class and use as a prompt for America, but “never got round to it”. Paddington means well but is always getting reportage and story writing. Research South America and create into trouble. Choose two escapades to an illustrated display. Use what you’ve compare and analyse. Create a timeline for discovered to invent stories for Paddington each and mark key events. What decisions Good manners to tell about his exploits, making them does Paddington make and why does he “He looks the sort of bear who means well.” informative as well as imaginative. act as he does? What challenges does he Paddington’s Aunt Lucy taught him What would Paddington think of your face and how are they resolved? Add this to be polite. Find textual evidence for hometown? Take teddies for a walk and information to your timelines, then use Paddington’s thoughtfulness and good look at your neighbourhood through their to discuss story structure. Can you invent manners. Why do people value politeness eyes. What do they notice and what appeals some new ‘happenings’ for Paddington? and courtesy? Roleplay being courteous to them? Draw and annotate maps showing Read your stories aloud, then record and in everyday situations, then list things you your discoveries and use to help write a share with other classes. consider good and bad manners. Do you bear’s guide to your area.

MESSY PLAY Take it further Paddington loves getting his ELEVENSES FOR A PADDINGTON SHOW paws into things and often CHARITY Retell a story from this book ends up very sticky. Paddington and Mr Gruber by creating a playscript from Find out about the benefits are very fond of elevenses. the text, or write your own of sensory/messy play They particularly like Paddington-inspired script. for young children and talk buns and cocoa – but Act out the story using to EYears teachers about your children might prefer hand puppets, teddy bears these activities. Can you something different. or a model theatre with design a safe and enjoyable Design a survey to discover cut-out characters on Paddington-inspired messy everybody’s favourite snack straws. See tinyurl. play activity for EY children? then analyse your data and com/tpmodeltheatre Observe them taking part and present as graphs and charts. for toy theatre interview teachers afterwards. Hold a Paddington-inspired resources. Alternatively, How did the participants elevenses sale using your practise conjuring respond and what did they market research to inform tricks like Paddington learn? Could you improve your menu choices and donate and perform your activity? Write an illustrated your profits to charity. own variety show. report or make a presentation.

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Paddington uses Mr Brown’s shaving arguments convincing? Why or why not? cream to draw a map of South America on How is humour used? the bathroom floor. What ‘messy media’ Convene a class council to determine Loved this? Try these... could you use to draw maps? (Squirty whether or not a toy bear can remain v cream, coloured sand, marmalade!) in school. Group children and assign Love From Paddington v each team a statement: bears belong in More About Paddington v their natural habitats; bears could bite Paddington Abroad Suitcases v Paddington Helps Out “The suitcase was old and battered and on somebody; keeping a bear in school would the side … were the words WANTED ON be expensive; bears make a mess. Ask groups to prepare arguments VOYAGE.” “He can have a pound a week, the same as the in support of their statement, along other children.” In his suitcase, Paddington has an empty with questions to ask others. Appoint jar of marmalade, a scrapbook, some South a chairperson and agree ground rules: How do you think Paddington should spend American coins and a photo of Aunt Lucy. everybody must listen and be polite, etc. his money? Draw pictures showing things What would you put in your suitcase if you Invite spokespeople to present their he could buy with one week’s pocket money had to leave home? Discuss, draw pictures arguments, then invite questions and (or two or three). TP and write about your choices. discussion from other groups. Prepare similarly-labelled suitcases, fill Vote on whether the bear can stay – Schools can get 60% off Paddington with props and arrange for discovery. Who then write about the process and novels until 30th November 2018, with could they belong to? Examine the contents summarise arguments. free postage on orders over £20. Use code and present your conclusions as news Can you adapt this to enable children PB60 at harpercollins.co.uk articles, stories or annotated illustrations. to debate relevant issues? Decide on topics you would like to explore, linking to SMSC Carey Fluker Hunt and British values, and take a democratic Bears like marmalade is a freelance writer, Taste a selection of marmalades and vote on where to start. children’s books check ingredients. Which do you prefer ambassador and and why? Interview an experienced creative learning marmalade-maker about ingredients, Shopping consultant. She is a recipes, equipment and techniques. “That bear gets more for his ten pence than founder member of Review recipes, then choose one to anyone I know…” Seven Stories, the National Centre for investigate. Prepare marmalade Visit a market to discover how they Children’s Books, where she was creative according to the recipe and taste it, operate. Working in groups, compete to projects manager for many years. then make measured alterations (more find the best or most productive way to or less sugar; different types of citrus spend an agreed amount of money. What fruit). What effects do your changes have can you buy for 10p? What would on your product? Write scientifically two shillings have bought in 1958? about what you’ve done and learnt, or Find out about the old money that create infographics showing how to Paddington used. make marmalade. Class council Read chapter two and extract arguments for and against Paddington’s presence at number 32, Windsor Gardens. Are these

PADDINGTON’S CLOTHES Paddington has a blue duffle Paddington outline. coat with red lining and Mix and match, then toggles, an old bush-hat photograph your favourites. with a wide brim, a plastic In the hat department, mackintosh, a green woollen Albert shows Mrs Brown beret with a pom-pom, a “bowler hats, sun hats, weekend bag with ‘PB’ on, a trilby hats, berets and straw sunhat, a bucket and even a very small top hat.” spade, sunglasses, a rubber Investigate hat names and tyre and a labelled suitcase. styles, then use pictures Assemble a Paddington-in- to create a display. Collect spired dressing-up box and as many different hats as use for roleplay and as a possible. Price them and set stimulus for drawing. Design up a roleplay hat shop. What new outfits by cutting paper will Paddington and Mrs clothing using scraps of Brown choose, and how will fabric and wallpaper to fit a Albert help them?