Paddington Goes for Gold by Michael Bond and R W Alley
Rather like a young child, Paddington is a wide-eyed innocent who leaves devastation wherever he goes, yet somehow always manages to land on his feet. I am very fond of literary bears, and he is one of my favourites. I love his enthusiasm, in everything he does, and that he always has a snack to hand. In this particular adventure, Paddington manages to entice the entire Brown family and Mrs Bird, to come to a local sports day. There’s everything from the shotput to a three-legged race and even a knitting race. You can probably imagine the trouble he gets into…
| Paddington Goes for Gold by Michael Bond and R W Alley | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Ruth Ng
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| Summary: Bears getting into trouble always entice a chuckle or two, and dear old Paddington is never far away from one mishap or other! | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: March 2015 |
| Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 9780007427734 | |
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Of course, Paddington never means to be any bother. That’s the last thing he’d want. Somehow, he just can’t seem to help himself! That heavy shotput ball ends up on someone’s foot, of course. Then he ties the wrong legs together in the three-legged race. He even scuppers Mr Brown who is doing really rather well in the slow bicycle race by coming along and giving him a big push to the finish line! Children love Paddington’s scrapes, I think because they know he’s innocent, but they can sense the trouble coming before it’s happened. My little boy liked the bit where Paddington thinks Mrs Bird needs some sustenance whilst knitting in the knitting race and he pushes a marmalade sandwich into her mouth!
Still, even after all the trouble, Paddington comes home with a medal on which is written Winning isn’t everything. Taking part and doing your best is what matters most. So, a story with a moral. Personally, I have issues with schools nowadays who follow the 'let’s give everyone a medal for joining in' idea at sports day, and much prefer the old days of there clearly being winners and losers (because that’s what a race involves surely!) but everyone having fun and we all got an ice lolly at the end. Perhaps I feel that way because I came last in every race there ever was, never had a medal, but I don’t think it adversely affected my character! Anyway, you can make your own decisions about the moral. It’s there for discussion with little ones, should you wish!
The illustrations are sweet. They aren’t my favourites, I have to say, but I suspect that’s because the Paddington television series from the 1970’s is dear to my heart and that is always how Paddington will look and sound to me! Here, the Brown family have been modernised somewhat. Mr Brown is wearing shorts for the sports day, and Mrs Brown has cut-off trousers - not at all what I imagine them wearing! Still, Paddington himself is still in his duffle coat with his wonderful hat, and looking very sweet, so I’m willing to forgive a great deal! Younger children will enjoy the detailed, colourful pictures, and they support the text beautifully, showing just exactly how much trouble Paddington is causing!
Although this isn’t my favourite Paddington story it is still a lot better than many other stories available nowadays! Paddington is always good for a comforting, snuggling, giggling read.
We've a list of the original Paddington Bear stories in chronological order here.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Paddington Goes for Gold by Michael Bond and R W Alley at Amazon.com.
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