PADDINGTON TAKES TO TV

by Michael Bond ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 19, 1974

These seven episodes go back to the early days when Paddington first surfaced on the popular BBC children's program Blue Peter. The Blue Peter TV studio, manned by Val, John and (Blue?) Peter, will however be a negative recognition factor for American children, and this round of stories seems to have more than the usual share of linguistic conundrums -- playing on confusion between pounds money and pounds avoirdupaws and between pummels and kummels -- not to mention a potentially distracting welter of nibs, sultanas and jellys (for jello). All this may be a bit disorienting, but loyal followers will hang on. And the rest is vintage Bond: Paddington spooking the clientele of a reducing spa with his marmalade sandwiches, winning a prize for his unconventional origami model, baking a Christmas cake in Mrs. Brown's spin dryer and bridling upon learning that he has just received artificial respiration when, after all, ""Mr. Brown would be only pleased to pay for the real thing."" In all, these revivals don't really offer enough to satisfy bear-sized appetites, but -- like the spare marmalade sandwiches Paddington keeps around in case of emergency -- they'll do in a pinch.

Pub Date: Aug. 19, 1974

ISBN: 0618250719

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1974

Categories: FICTION