Synopsis

Growing up in Reading, Michael Bond never thought of himself as a writer. He quit school at the age of 14, served in the Royal Air Force during World War II and later went on to work as a cameraman for the BBC. Struggling to tap into something more creative, the inspiration came to him after an unexpected trip to a toy shop, where he bought the last bear on the shelf for his wife. This would later become Paddington Bear.

More Than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear (Chicago Review Press; March 3, 2020; Ages 9 to 12), by Rosanne Tolin, is the untold story of Paddington Bear’s author Michael Bond. This middle-grade biography uncovers the many important elements that inspired the Paddington story, including Bond’s early life, world history and the cultural events of the 1950s. Kids will be captivated as they learn about the true events—such as WWII and the refugee crisis—that influenced many of the details in the series, events that are still relevant to this day.

Aiming to shine a hopeful light on what we can learn from the past, the book captures the care that went into Bond’s creation of Paddington Bear and how Paddington has become a timeless, beloved character in both children’s literature and film. Chockfull of whimsy, heartfelt anecdotes and charming takeaways, the book captures the loving relationship between Bond and his protagonist. Tolin explains how this relationship soon spanned nationwide, as Paddington went on to win the hearts of families across the world.

A story of perseverance and imagination, More Than Marmalade will inspire young readers, telling the unlikely success story of a brave displaced bear and his writer. Along with plenty of pictures of Michael and his personal Paddington Bear, kids will learn about life as it was during the 1950s.

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Excerpt

Michael sighed heavily. Another rejection had arrived from another magazine. As hard as it was, Michael read every refusal, hoping for comments from the editor. Although he was happy that he and Brenda could affora modest home with the income from his job as a cameraman, his dream was to support his family as a published author. Sometimes editors sent him short notes, offering suggestions to make his story better. These rare but encouraging words were what he needed to press on with his writing.

Most times, however, he was turned down with nothing more than a form letter. The only thing he could do was sit down at his desk, crank a fresh sheet of paper into his typewriter, and write something new. But where should he begin?

He could write an article about how the face of Britain had changed with the rise in immigration since the war. Hoping to fill an urgent need for workers, nearly 500 men came by ship from Jamaica. Many people from India and Pakistan had arrived in West London, where Michael lived, looking for labor. Eastern European evacuees who had fled the dangerous Nazi regime decided to stay, too. All day long, rushed exchanges in a symphony of languages rose above the busy city streets like musical notes. Michael listened closely to the tunes of many tongues on his way to work, relishing the stream of sounds that swept past his ears.

The number of immigrants had been climbing steadily for 20 years. Britain used to be called the British Empire because they governed a lot of other countries and territories. The king of England even ruled the colonies that became the United States. England also held power in India until 1947, and ruled Hong Kong until 1997. Many people from these areas in Asia settled in the United Kingdom, too.

Michael’s apartment stood right in the middle of this melting pot of people. On Portobello Road, he shopped at Notting Hill market. The Afro-Caribbean shops that lined the street offered stall after stall of foods from the West Indies. The salty, fresh aroma of goat stew wafted into his open window as he worked. As Michael’s thoughts took shape, he tapped out a few words about the distinct talk and tastes of foreign cultures. Nothing seemed to take hold with that special spark a writer needs. He was too exasperated to think clearly, but giving up wasn’t an option. Thankfully, he knew one man who always stayed calm. That man was Michael’s literary agent, Harvey Unna.

Literary agents help writers sell their work to publishers. If anyone could help Michael out of this writer’s block, it was Harvey. He was a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany who would later inspire Paddington’s good friend Mr. Gruber. When Michael phoned, they talked a bit about the mounting rejection letters. Then Michael took a deep breath. He was about to admit a frustrating thing for a man with a huge imagination. He needed to stay strong. “Harvey, I just don’t know what to write next. My mind is utterly blank.”

Harvey didn’t seem surprised or upset. Instead, he had an immediate reply.

“Describe your room,” Harvey said.

“You want me to write about my room?” Michael asked. Harvey laughed gently. “No, not exactly. Tell me what’s in your room. Look around. What do you see?” Michael scanned the objects around him. Since there wasn’t space for a private office, he worked in the living room. The first thing he saw was the antique wall clock, then swiftly turned his sights to a framed picture of his parents on his desk. The black-and-white photo made them look more old-fashioned than Michael recalled. As he continued to look around, his eyes landed on Paddington.

“We have a small bear,” Michael said.

“A bear?” Harvey asked.

“Yes,” Michael said. “He is honey colored and has soft brown eyes. His name is Paddington.”

“Write about that,” Harvey said. “Write about Paddington Bear.”

About the Author

An experienced and well-respected journalist, Rosanne Tolin is the creator and editor of the ALA award-winning children’s e-zine and website Imagination Café. Tolin is also the former managing editor of Guideposts for Kids magazine and the Guideposts for Kids website. She lives in Chesterton, Indiana.

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