Book Review: A Bear Called Paddington
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there is nothing to be concerned
about here -- this comes from an earlier tradition of
children's book writing in which stories were gently humorous
and comforting.
Families can talk about how books for children have changed in the last half century. How does this book seem different from other, more modern books you read? Why do you think they have changed? Which type of book do you like better, and why? Why has this book lasted for so long?
Common Sense Media Review
This oversized 50th anniversary edition, which includes the
original illustrations, now in color, and a few that were left
out of the original edition, is a lovely way to introduce a new
generation to one of the classic children's book series of the
20th century. This is a book from an earlier time, when the
humor was gentle and not fixated on bodily functions, when the
classic British virtues of kindness, tolerance, and
unflappability were assumed without fanfare, and when books for
children were expected to entertain and comfort, not introduce
them to the seamier side of reality.
Michael Bond is not A. A. Milne, winking at the adults in the room while he tells his stories to the children. These stories don't have different levels that appeal to different audiences -- they have just the one, which appeals to everyone. They are perfect both for young readers making the move into chapter books, and for snuggling up in bed with an adult to read to them out loud while you drift off to sleep -- there's nothing here to disturb young dreams, and much in both text and simple pictures to make both reader and listener grin and giggle. In our hurried, violent world, during the headlong rush to grow up, these stories can carve out a little space for a child just to experience unalloyed pleasure.
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