Michael Bond, Paddington Bear Creator, Is Dead at 91

So many characters from the books of my childhood inform my adult decisions! I consider eating lean largely because of Mother Goose’s Jack Sprat, and my morning ablutions reflect Alice and her looking glass. Paddington Bear, whose creator Michael Bond died this week, reminds me --above all--to be curious. He also helped me teach my (now adult son) how very important it is to be polite, and, of course, to enjoy a marmalade sandwich in bed…despite the consequences.
Michael Bond’s death this week lifted up memories of what it is to be a child: it means being refugee in an unfamiliar and inexplicable world, one that confounds and punishes—but occasionally sustains, ONLY because a sponsor family offers hospitality and helps the guest become a full member of society.

Something happened to childrens entertainment. Those early writers of Paddington Bear, or the movies Jungle Book and Robin Hood by Disney, and of course anything by Roald Dahl, are utterly charming without the pervading nastiness in lot of childrens movies. Take a look at the bullying in "shark tales" or the cloying sweetness of the Disney version of Pooh Bear. These great childrens authors understand the anti hero which children relate to.

Paddington Bear was the "mascot" of a British charity. Alas, I cannot recall that charity's name. Help!

I was a little out of age range when Paddington came to the States, but I somehow found "A Bear Called Paddington" and was hooked. A year or two later, Paddington was waiting for me under the tree at Christmas, and he's been with me since. He is a wonderful, non-judgmental friend who can absorb tears without complaint.

When I went to London several years ago, I brought him along and kept the little marmelade jars that came with my breakfast so I could stack them up in front of him on the night stand. I like to think that the housekeepers got a good chuckle from the sight.

Thank you, Mr. Bond, for creating such a good friend for so many of us. We're in your debt.

Michael Bond himself was a very polite man. I taught elem. school, & often read Paddington chapter books aloud to my classes. One of my gr. 3 students was so very enamoured of Paddington, that she wrote to Mr. Bond. A short while later, she received a thank you letter personally written by Michael Bond - not a form letter! She was ecstatic, brought the letter to school to show me & the principal, and told me that she vowed to sleep with it under her pillow. I then wrote a thank you note to Mr. Bond, telling him how happy he had made that child. He then wrote me a thank you letter, thanking me for thanking him!! RIP, Michael Bond.

We have Great Britain to thank for two (2) great Bonds.

The right bear at the right time. Helped teach me how to read. Although I never quite figured out what a "marrow" is.

Humanity begs for more like Michael Bond - people that instill a sense of decency and empathy in us all.

Don't miss his cameo appearance in the movie. On the taxi ride home from Paddington Station, he's the chap sitting in the café raising a glass of wine to Paddington. Paddington, in return, doffs his hat. Perfect.

As a child, I had a miniature Paddington bear and took him everywhere with me until he fell out of my pocket on a Paris playground. I always hoped that someone else took him home and gave him love. RIP, Michael Bond, and thank you.

Due honour is paid. Jolly good!

My Paddington has run of my house. It's marmalade or at least jam sandwiches today.

Truly saddened to hear this. My Paddington books are truly treasured. He definitely made a difference to this world. I can imagine Paddington feeling very sad in bed in mourning -- May his spirit carry on. And my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Thank you, Michael Bond, for the great gifts you have given us all. Rest peacefully knowing you've made an enormous, heartwarming cultural contribution.

Thank you Mr Bond for the most lovable, likable bear in the world, named Paddington.

Being a boy in the 1960s in London was a special time and the stories of Paddington were riveting and described a wonderful world of imagined adventure and life.

It seemed as if Paddington was real and that he must live just down the street or around the corner. What Paddington saw, I could imagine and what he felt I could feel too.

Holding the book More About Paddington and rifling through the pages, the smell and feel of that boyhood world is still in there. And the cover says my mother paid 10s. 6d. net for one copy printed in 1959.

Thank you for the gift of Paddington. You will have a friend where you travel now, Mr Bond.

To this day I have a deep seeded anxiety about the bathtub overflowing. And a fondness for red boots. Thank you Michael Bond for so many wonderful stories. May your next journey be warmed by a nice pea coat and felt hat!

One of the world's truly lovely creations. Michael Bond gave so many people so much delight. A world where kindness means that a bumbling bear's impulses towards gentle chaos always work out in the end is a great comfort and inspiration.

My daughter once made and painted a plaster Paddington that I bought in England when she was 10. She always loved him dearly and is now 48. We had a friend who was going to seminary in his 40s at the time, and she named him Paddington because he had a nature much like the bear! Precious books for posterity!

When I am home later, I will begin again to read through my Paddington series. A book a night, if I can be so patient. I am so grateful to Michael Bond, who had a share in raising me.

If Paddington's appearance and garb were so important to his popularity, why no mention of the illustrator?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Fortnum

I still turn to Paddington for inspiration and that bear of mine is on the desk in my bedroom.

I would like to have know Mr. Bond, and his custody-sharing first wife.

Poor Paddington... who will now look after him? And teke him home to love?

Marmalade skies.

A very stern math teacher many years ago took time once a week in our lesson with her to read us a couple of chapters from Paddington Bear. We loved the book, and the smiling change that came over this usually "all business" teacher when she read to us!

It says much that Paddington helped Bond through his difficult times. Don't underestimate the power of talking to a teddy bear. Teddy won't tell, won't judge, won't let you tell a fib, and absorbs tears. Ask me how I know.

“Paddington Bear is a universally loved character, treasured for his optimism, his sense of fair play, and his perfect manners –- and, of course, for his unintentional talent for comic chaos." ~ David Heyman, Producer

Thank you for giving us that beloved treasure, Michael Bond. We'll miss you.

I'm 47 and have loved Paddington since I was a child. He is such a dear creation. I still have a few Paddington bears. They're steadfast friends.
RIP, Mr. Bond. Thank you for the best bear.

Often forgotten is the Monsieur Pamplemousse series. If you can find these out of print books, don't miss the opportunity to travel with the French restaurant reviewer and his dog Pommes Frites. Michael Bond brings gastronomy, comedy and mystery together in a way no other author has. You will devour these books in one sitting wishing you were with him. RIP Mr. Bond you will be greatly missed

RIP, Mr. Bond. You created a lovely, sweet creature-I still have my Paddington Bear and he's very dear to me.