Paddington Helps Out (original 1960; edition 2016)

This review published by Brigham Young University's The Children's Book and Media Review

Paddington can’t seem to stop having misadventures in his life in London. In one adventure, Paddington falls in a river and loses his hat, but manages to rescue it in the end. Paddington attends an auction, tries to make a magazine rack, does laundry, and goes to the cinema for the first time. He even tries to cook dinner and take care of Mr. and Mrs. Brown when they get ill. No matter what he tries to do, Paddington runs into trouble, but always comes out with a positive attitude and a good experience.

These new, brightly colored editions of the Paddington books can help a new generation of readers love the classic stories. Some of the moments are very British and younger readers might need explanations on certain English terms like cinema, but readers who are a little older or reading with their parents will love the adventures that Paddington has. Paddington Helps Out is another classic that children of all ages can enjoy. ( )

A small bear lives with a British family.

2.5/4 (Okay).

Only three books in, and this series has gotten pointless surprisingly fast. Reading it feels like watching a 1980's cartoon series. It's still kind of cute - and short and harmless - but it's not something to bother reading unless you're nuts about Paddington. ( )

Who but Paddington would set out to make dumplings for a stew and find himself chased from the kitchen by something so hasty that only his friend Mr. Gruber could rescue him?

There's not much character development throughout this series, and the books are starting to run together for me. I find it strange that someone would leave a bear in charge of a household while the owners of the home were on bed rest. And one of the later illustrations in the book of Paddington eating is actually kind of scary. I can't quite picture how a stranger who's been subject to one of Paddington's "stares" would end up finding the fellow endearing.

But my son still loves the books, so I'll keep reading them to him. ( )