Michael Bond, who created Paddington, my most favorite bear character in all of children’s literature, turns 89 today!
photo by Sue Foll
Thought we’d celebrate by taking a look at his latest novel, Love from Paddington (HarperCollins, 2014), the 14th chapter book in his beloved series featuring the marmalade-loving, well-mannered, endlessly charming “rare sort of bear” from Darkest Peru.
Thanks to Mr. Bond, we now have vital proof that bears are indeed good letter writers. LFP contains 15 of Paddington’s letters to his dear Aunt Lucy describing how he met the Brown family at London’s Paddington Station, and about some of the unexpected “misadventures” he gets into (for he’s “just that sort of bear”).
This is the first of the novels to be written in Paddington’s own words, so expect to be totally delighted and amused by his endearing personality and refreshing innocence. Who else could manage to wallpaper himself or saw a table in half while constructing a magazine rack? What happens when he climbs atop a horse, plays a game of cricket, or attends the theatre for the first time? Let’s just say it isn’t every day a marmalade sandwich lands smack dab on a bald man’s head.
It’s hard to pick a favorite episode, but I do love the time Paddington helps out at the barber’s. If some bear accidentally shaves some man’s hair off, the least he can do is glue it back on — and, of course, make further amends with his knowledge of antique Spode Blue Italian bone china (how I love a bear who knows his crockery!).
The man had told me not to touch the top of his head, but it was too late. Whereas it had been covered by a mass of thick black curls, now there wasn’t a hair to be seen. He was completely bald!
There was only one thing for it. I reached for my tube. Mr. Sloop had said his floor was covered with unwanted hair, so I wouldn’t be short of material to repair the damage.
It seemed like a good idea at the time, but there were so many different kinds of hair, and so many different colors, it didn’t go as well as I had hoped.
Whatever the mishap, Paddington always lands on his feet and things work out in the end much to everyone’s relief. Love from Paddington is a great way to whet the appetite for the other books in the series, where these stories are described in greater detail. Those who’ve already read the previous books will enjoy hearing Paddington’s unique take on these somewhat sticky adventures, enjoying yet again his strong sense of right and wrong, his capital bargaining skills, his admirable hat-raising politeness, his enduring kindness, his unmatched appetite for chunky marmalade sandwiches, and his masterful hard stare.
Written to coincide with the Paddington movie release, the book contains wonderful pen-and-ink drawings by Peggy Fortnum and R.W. Alley. Ms. Fortnum was the first to depict Paddington on the page back in the late 50’s, and Mr. Alley, Paddington’s current illustrator, has been drawing him since 1997. I think there have been at least 6 different illustrators through the years, but it’s nice to have the first and the most recent represented in this book.
art by R.W. Alleyart by Peggy Fortnumart by Peggy Fortnum
I’d like to think that part of Paddington’s enduring appeal is the theme of unconditional acceptance and tolerance. He is an immigrant, after all, and an ursine one at that — yet the Browns happily welcome him into their home and he becomes a member of the family just like that. Good manners (often lacking in these crazy times) never go out of style — something I’ve always loved about this bear. Could you resist him if he tipped his hat at you? 🙂
LOVE FROM PADDINGTON written by Michael Bond illustrated by Peggy Fortnum and R.W. Alley published by HarperCollins, December 2014 Chapter Book for ages 8-12, 144 pp.
The kind and generous Hallie Durand is offering a signed copy of CATCH THAT COOKIE for one lucky Alphabet Soup reader! All you have to do to enter this giveaway is to leave a comment at yesterday’s post no later than midnight (EST) Thursday, December 18, 2014.
If you already commented yesterday you are automatically entered in the giveaway. The book will be signed by BOTH Hallie and illustrator David Small. What a special treasure!
Most of us remember when we first read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, and how it profoundly changed and affected us. It’s just that kind of book.
I was in sixth grade and read it for Mrs. Whang’s English class. We were all a little afraid of Mrs. Whang — she was notorious for being unfailingly strict and rarely smiled. No matter the assignment, only the best would do. For Little Women, we were divided into groups of four and asked to act out our favorite scene(s).
We decided on the first chapter and I was to play Jo. We dressed up in long skirts and shawls and I remember bounding onto the “stage” in my best tomboy fashion and blurting out, “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” So began a lifelong love for all of Alcott’s books and a fierce yearning for the quintessential New England Christmas — a dreamlike fantasy of snow-blanketed landscapes and cozy fires, something about as foreign as you can imagine when you live in the land of palm trees and eternal summers.
Heather Vogel Frederick’s new picture book adaptation of the Christmas episode from Little Women is a lovely way to meet the March sisters for the first time and bask in cherished holiday scenes brimming with the spirit of giving and gratitude. Frederick interweaves key elements from Alcott’s novel as she distills the essence of this holiday story (Beth’s frail health, Father away at war, Jo and Laurie’s friendship, Jo cutting and selling her hair, making do with what they have).
“Girls always make passes at guys with mustaches.” (Unknown hairy person)
Good Morning!
I mustache you a question, but I’ll shave it for later. 🙂
Happy Movember (a tad late)! Time once again to help raise awareness of men’s health issues by sprouting a dapper cookie duster.
I, for one, have always been mad for staches.
Really?
You bet. Who was it that said “A man without a mustache is a man without a soul”? When I was growing up, I noticed the smartest, funniest, hottest men all had staches: Albert Einstein, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Tom Selleck, David Crosby, Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, Kurt Vonnegut, Edgar Allan Poe, Santa Claus, The Monopoly Man, did I mention Tom Selleck?
And have you noticed the best lines from movies are all about staches?
Nobody puts Mustache in a corner.
and
You can’t handle the mustache!
and
Say hello to my leetle mustache.
Or what about that incredibly incisive TV question:
Where is your mustache, Jake from State Farm?
Positively hair raising! 😀
What’s that? You say you can’t grow your own? Your upper lip is as smooth, soft and hairless as a baby’s . . .
Not to worry, cause today we’re gonna help you get your mighty mo on by serving up four fanstashtic picture books and a delicious cache of chocolaty cookies. Read ’em and eat!
Illustration by Alice and Martin Provensen (1940’s)
The heavenly aroma of my fresh apple pie in the oven — slices of Granny Smiths bub bub bubbling in their buttery sweet cinnamon-y syrup — reminded me that I haven’t served up a good old fashioned pie picture book roundup in a long time.
Since Fall and especially November are all about pie, why not indulge?
The fillings of these lovingly baked picture books are laced with some irresistibly delicious zero-calorie ingredients: rollicking good fun, tender moments between parent and child, wild dreaminess, an itch to satisfy, surprise and wonder, friendship and community, suspense — proof positive that making and eating pie are cherished social events capable of bringing out the best in all of us.
Whether monstrous or teeny-tiny, the bakers and eaters in these stories know a good thing when they see, smell, feel, hear and taste it.
Meet super-sleuths Sam Cat and Dudley Pig: they’re after the bad guys who stole yummy pies from Ma Dog’s bakery! But when the robbers run into a restaurant where ALL the diners have cherry pie-covered faces, how will Sam and Dudley catch their thieves? With a squinch and a crash and a great big cruuuunch, the bumbling detectives cook up deliciously comic fun!
The cherry pie stained animal snouts alone are worth the price of admission in this zany crooky caper. Kids will love poring over the vintage Scarry fetchingly detailed ink drawings. There’s a monkey wearing three wristwatches for crying out loud! Love that everyone has his own pie, no messing about with wimpy pieces. Uh-huh.
A young boy revels in the cheerful atmosphere among family and friends at Grandma’s house while she bakes apple pies. This celebration of food, with its enormous cast of colorful characters and lively read-aloud text, is full of child appeal. Because so many people arrive to eat Grandma’s pie, the plate is empty before the little boy gets any, but Grandma has a surprise in the oven.
A quintessential pie-is-meant-to-be-shared story complete with huggable pie-baking grandma, happy talky friends and neighbors, and the aroma of warm apple pie wafting through every page. Meade’s appealing paper collages underscore the warm and welcoming tone of the story, while Birney’s text, a rhythmic counterpoint of simple narration and the boy’s inner thoughts, captures his infectious anticipation and pie’s inherent power to summon and satisfy.
Ol’ Bear wakes one morning with a hankering for Ugly Pie, so he goes on a search from neighbor to neighbor. All he finds are pies that please the eye and . . . ingredients? Wait a second. Maybe it’s time for Ol’ Bear to start cookin’ up something ugly himself! Ol’ Bear shares that Ugly Pie with his generous neighbors–and he shares his secret recipe, too, in the back of this book.
A fun, folksy read aloud with its bouncy rhythm, lilting refrain, and Ol’ Bear’s down-home rural dialect. Meandering through the countryside with a bevy of woodland creatures following him, the rather rotund protagonist passes up homemade pumpkin, rhubarb and honey pies and mixes up some ugly-lookin’ ingredients to make his own deeeelicious pie. The wee critters helping Ol’ Bear mix and roll dough are too adorable (tiny squirrel paws patting pie dough!) A givin’ love fest, right friendly.
Judy Sierra’s funny read-aloud romp presents a monster that children will love as he makes a goo-filled crust, lures hundreds and thousands of succulent flies into it, and invites his “disgusting-ist” friends and relations to a gala fly-pie party. “How it glistens! And listen—it hums!” shout the ravenous monsters. But just as his guests are about to dig in—the pie flies off. “Bye, bye, fly pie.”
This “revolting rhyme” oozes kid appeal from every crack in its crust and is disgustingly delicious in every way. Just thinking about “a crust of astonishing SIZE” dripping with molasses and sugar and honey and glue makes my compound eyes twitchity twitch with excitement. Never has “hundreds and thousands of succulent flies” stuck to goo playing orchestral instruments appeared so grossly appetizing. Can you smell the sewer and manure? A pie made of flies that flies? Too brilliant. And Koren’s hairy monsters wielding giant forks are absolutely charming. Do I even have to mention how much I love the changing font sizes which effectively ramp up the fun and drama to the story’s triumphant conclusion? 🙂
Imagine a pie made of chocolate, gumdrops, licorice — and every sweet ingredient you love. Bestselling author Audrey Wood teams up with popular illustrator Mark Teague to concoct a tale about a pie so irresistible it can’t be forgotten — and the sweet dreams that result. Here is an entertaining story for bedtime or anytime — that children and adults will share again and again. Pa Brindle helps Ma bake her irresistible sweet dream pie, and the whole neighborhood is affected.
This tall tale of a pie story has all the fixins of a dream come true — having your neighbor bake a giant pie filled with every confection you’ve ever loved and then being able to gorge yourself on as many pieces as you like. You don’t even mind how pie preparation affects everyone in the neighborhood — a chocolate tornado and clouds of powdered sugar whirling down the street, the sweltering heat wave triggered by the oven. But instead of sweet dreams, your dreams are so wild they have to be swept away by Ma Brindle. There’s wonder and suspense in the baking, but the journey from sated to deflated ultimately makes for a strange story. To the ending I say, Huh?
All anyone wants to talk about with Mama is the new “ding-dang baby” that’s on the way, and Gia is getting sick of it! If her new sibling is already such a big deal, what’s going to happen to Gia’s nice, cozy life with Mama once the baby is born?
You just wanna scoop this tender heartwarming story right up in your arms and hug hug it. Hello, this is Jacqueline Woodson, who is brilliant at capturing the little girl’s worry, concerns and jealousy about the new baby on the way, as well as her mother’s reassuring presence, patience, and unwavering love. Having the girl refer to her new sibling as the “ding-dang baby” gives her character an immediate, believable voice. Her emphatic use of this moniker encapsulizes her frustration, jealousy and underlying fear of change.
Of course I love Woodson’s use of pecan pie — a shared delight between mother and child to cement their special bond, and eventually this sweet comfort food, as it is shared among the “three” of them, helps smooth the transition. Sophie Blackall’s beautifully warm and expressive illustrations perfectly complement this masterfully executed story.
Tired of eating grass and alfalfa, James Bear–with the help of his friends Skunk and Aloysius Crow–bakes a pie so big that he almost gets lost inside it.
Comic exaggeration seems to be a favorite device in tasty pie stories, and though this oldie but goodie is long by today’s picture book standards (especially for the littlest munchkins), it’s worth a look. I like the earnest friendship established between James Bear and Skunk early on, the gentle bumbling nature of JB, and the fact that a creature much smaller than he is (Crow) ultimately rescues him. There is a refreshing innocence about these animals — it is with good intentions that Crow suggests James make a “bread-crust pie” since he doesn’t have a pie cookbook on hand.
Bear using thirty-six cakes of yeast instead of six cakes accounts for the uncontrolled expanding of the dough, which engulfs him after he’s gorged himself on at least 11 pieces of pie. Kids will love the giant ever growing pie and imagining what it would be like to be trapped inside among piles of soybeans and raisins. We can all relate to being tired of the same-old, same-old, and it’s reassuring to know that our friends will help us out should we venture a change. I like Franco-Feeny’s charming illustrations, which remind me of Jan Brett without the decorative borders. A cozy read aloud perfect for a Fall day.
Little Ellie the elephant is the only kid at a grown-up party. No one is paying any attention to poor Ellie, and she can’t reach the food! Why must everything be for big people? Then to Ellie’s surprise, she discovers a little chef mouse inside a hole in the wall, and he’s filming a cooking show! Ellie can see that his sharp senses are key ingredients for a successful tiny pie. Will this be the perfect snack that’s just her size? As an added treat, Alice Waters has contributed a delicious tiny apple pie recipe perfect for little hands (and big appetites)!
An endlessly charming, too adorable for words tale that speaks to a child’s craving for empowerment: ” . . . if you’re big enough to eat dessert, then you can make it too.”
Just as the giant monster pies in the other stories proved irresistible, the tiny pies in this story, prepared by a wise mouse chef for his enthusiastic whiskered audience-turned-party guests are a most delicious way to show kids that “Whether you are big, small, short, or tall, you will always find the perfect dish.”
I love elephants to begin with and seeing the nattily dressed mice partying in the kitchen with their tiny pies was a big win-win for me. Hemingway’s retro backdrop adds loads of visual appeal, while Bailey and Oatman’s endearing narrative with its question-answer format and appeal to the five senses is a heart stealer. Alice Waters’s Tiny Pie Recipe in the back is for turnovers rather than double crust pies as shown in the story, and seems too complicated for young bakers to attempt without lots of grown-up help. Still, the fact that the mouse party seemed like a lot more fun than the adult party should satisfy and delight tiny pie lovers everywhere. Bonus: fabuloso party illustration hidden beneath the dust jacket. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book goes to the Edible Schoolyard Project. 🙂
Jama's Alphabet Soup 