'I've always had great respect for Paddington! He is a British institution.' Stephen Fry 'Paddington has joined Pooh as one of the great bears of English children's literature.' The Teacher 'Michael Bond's accident-prone bear!has become one of the most enduring of children's characters.' The Bookseller

On Christmas Eve, 1956, Michael Bond bought a small toy bear for his wife and they named it 'Paddington' as they were living near Paddington station. In 1958, A Bear Called Paddington was published with many more stories to follow. Michael still lives in London. In 1997 he was awarded the OBE for his services to children's literature.