More than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear

by Rosanne Tolin

Overview

Michael Bond never intended to be a children’s writer. Though an avid reader, he was by no means a model student and quit school at 14. He repaired rooftop radio transmitters during the bombing of Britain in World War II and later joined the army. He wrote about the war and more, selling stories here and there. 

One day, while searching for inspiration at his typewriter, hoping for a big story that would allow him to write full time, a stuffed bear on top of the shelf—a Christmas present for his wife—suddenly caught his eye. Bond poured his personal feelings about the events of his era—the refugee children his family had hosted in the countryside, a war-torn country in recovery, the bustling immigrant neighborhood where he lived—into the story of a little bear from Peru who tries very, very hard to do things right. The result was A Bear Called Paddington. 

An incredible true tale, More than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear is the first biography about the writer behind the beloved series. Author Rosanne Tolin reveals how world history, Bond’s life, and 1950s immigrant culture were embedded into Paddington’s creation, bringing middle-grade readers a delightful, informative, and engaging book with a timely message of acceptance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641603140
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	692,084
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	770L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

An experienced and well-respected journalist, Rosanne Tolin has focused her work primarily on children’s publications, serving as the former managing editor of Guideposts for Kids magazine and the Guideposts for Kids website. For more about the author, visit www.rosannetolin.com.

Table of Contents

Author's Note vii

Michael and Paddington's Map of London xiii

1 Trains, Books, and Bears 1

2 Mishaps and Mischief 12

3 The World at War 24

4 Unbreakable 38

5 Voyages of Adventure 50

6 A Lonely Bear 61

7 All About Paddington 72

8 Life with Paddington 84

9 Paddington Bear Rescues Mr. Bond 97

10 Paddington Lives On 109

Bibliography 120

Index 125

Editorial Reviews

"Paddington Bear was born of Michael Bond’s memory and imagination. At the onset of World War II in England, teenaged Michael was haunted by the plight of war refugees in his village. As a whimsical adult, Bond drew friends and family into the life of an orphaned stuffed bear he had ‘rescued’ on Christmas Eve. Paddington Bear rescued him right back, but not before giving comfort to young readers around the world. Rosanne Tolin’s More than Marmalade captures this story of bravery and creativity, tenacity and generosity.” —Corabel Shofner, author of Almost Paradise


“Rosanne Tolin’s More than Marmalade reveals the surprising influences behind the iconic bear’s irresistible persona. This moving biography of author Michael Bond hits all the right notes, uncovering historical events that shaped Paddington’s character in profound ways. I lost my stuffed bear when I was 10 years old, just about the time A Bear Called Paddington was published, and I too hoped my teddy had found a good home. Later, I founded Build-A-Bear Workshop with the hope that children everywhere would be able to know how it feels to hug their own furry friend—one that has a heart inspired by the kindness of a bear with a red coat, a hat, and his BEARY own suitcase. Children and adults alike will delight in Tolin’s telling of ‘the man behind the bear.’” —Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop


"A lovely biography for Paddington lovers."— Booklist


"A very readable and enjoyable book."—School Library Journal


“An account permeated with affection.”—Orange Marmalade Books


“Paddington fan or not, you will love this story!”–Blazer Tales blog


“This was just fun to read in the way that The Childhood of Famous Americans books were back in the day…and the glimpses into every day life are fantastic.”—Ms. Yingling Reads


"[The] writing is lively and age-appropriate…Youngsters will find it interesting to see a writer develop through perseverance and dedication to his craft with the help of a healthy imagination. This is an excellent biography." —Seattle Book Review 

From the Publisher

02/01/2020

Gr 2–5—Tolin discusses the literary career of Michael Bond, best known for his stories featuring Paddington Bear. The biography, which uses "fictionalized scenes," opens with a 10-year-old boy living a fairly typical English childhood and ends with the esteemed author, age 91, relaying his life as a story with conversations and detailed descriptions. This format makes for a very readable and enjoyable book, but might confuse readers trying to sort out fact from conjecture. A running theme of the book, initially mentioned in the author's note prior to the first chapter, portrays Paddington as a symbol of immigration and refugees. Bond was inspired by the children he saw at train stations evacuated during World War II. Throughout his life, he often wrote in support of allowing refugees into the country. Including this narrative thread makes the book very relevant to current events without getting too political. The book lacks reproduced primary source documents, but there are a number of photographs showing the areas where Bond lived. Illustrations feature various representations of Paddington. While not a perfect biographical work, this title will delight Paddington fans and appeal to readers who enjoy nonfiction works like the "Who Was?" series. VERDICT A simple chapter book biography perfect for students seeking a storylike approach to the life of Paddington creator Michael Bond. Recommended for pleasure reading instead of research.—Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK

School Library Journal

2019-12-18
The first stand-alone profile for young readers of the man behind the bear.

Bond is a regular entry in collective biographies of authors, but from the evidence, he was such a private man and led such a quiet, uneventful life that Tolin resorts to invented scenes and conversations (closely based, she claims, on published sources) to fill out this slim volume. She retraces his childhood, World War II experiences, early career as a cameraman for the BBC, and eventual fame (after multiple rejections, etc.) as a children's author. Sounding a timely note, she also weaves in as a recurrent theme experiences with and lifelong sympathies for immigrants—from Jewish Kindertransport refugees and children evacuated from London during the Blitz to later contacts with Afro-Caribbean and West Indian arrivals in London—that informed his most famous creation's character and overseas origins. On the other hand, aside from brief mention of Olga da Polga she skips an opportunity to explore his true range by saying little to nothing about his bawdy, comical Monsieur Pamplemousse mystery series or any of the rest of his works. Readers will come away with a warming if not nuanced impression of a low-key man whose best-known creation reflects his own fundamental decency.

In the end, alas, not all that much more than marmalade. (map, photos, source list, index) (Biography. 9-11)

Kirkus Reviews