PADDINGTON: HERE AND NOW.

YEAH I'm on 'Bob's Your Uncle' level.

For my 6th choice of book on the TYPICALLY BRITISH BOOK CHALLENGE (click HERE for last book read and links to other books read) I thought I'd review this childhood favourite of mine - yes, Michael Bond released his new Paddington book a whole half century after the first appeared in print.

PADDINGTON: HERE AND NOW by MICHAEL BOND.

Chapter One - PARKING PROBLEMS. Paddington’s morning gets off to a bad start when he discovers his shopping basket on wheels has been towed away. Matters get even worse when he decides to report it at the local police station and a series of misunderstandings lead to his arrest. Fortunately for Paddington, not only is his basket returned but the contents have mysteriously multiplied in the meantime.

Chapter Two - PADDINGTON'S GOOD TURN. When Mrs. Bird spots an intruder through the window, Paddington volunteers to apply anti-burglar paint to the Browns’ drainpipes. Spotting an opportunity to get something for nothing, the Browns’ mean neighbour Mr. Curry talks Paddington into doing his as well but he gets more than he bargained for when Paddington decides to paint his gate.

Chapter Three - PADDINGTON STRIKES A CHORD. Paddington is intrigued when his friend Mr. Gruber acquires a "Player Piano" and soon draws a large crowd when he pretends to play it in the shop window. It’s so realistic that before he knows it he’s acquired an agent and is the surprise turn in a forthcoming charity concert. Paddington is the one who ends up being surprised when he discovers he has to play an ordinary piano but he manages to delight the audience with his unique style of entertainment.

Chapter Four - PADDINGTON TAKES THE BISCUIT. The Browns decide to throw a small party to celebrate Hallowe’en but they soon end up with an unwanted guest in the form of Mr. Curry who accidentally gets locked out of his house when Paddington’s "Trick or Treat" goes wrong. Fortunately, the Browns’ neighbour doesn’t stay for long after trying a bowl of Paddington’s special stir-fly soup.

Chapter Five - PADDINGTON SPILLS THE BEANS. While working in the Browns’ front garden, Paddington is approached by a man carrying out a survey. As the interview progresses, so do the misunderstandings, leading to a report in the local paper about illegal immigrants and an undercover trade in organ transplants. The Browns have no idea Paddington is involved, until they read the words "marmalade sandwiches" which then prompts them to start wondering about Paddington’s own legal status as a refugee.

Chapter Six - PADDINGTON AIMS HIGH. Keen to give the family a Christmas present they won’t forget, Paddington visits the local travel agent but his shock at the price of a holiday for seven is equalled by that of the manager when he learns that Paddington is hoping to pay for it with a single Air Mile. However, all that is soon forgotten when Paddington arrives home and receives a very special and unexpected visitor ...

Chapter Seven - PADDINGTON'S CHRISTMAS SURPRISE. Nobody is more astonished than Paddington by the arrival of his Uncle Pastuzo who has dropped by while on his world travels. After captivating the family with tales of how he made his fortune, it’s time for another surprise when he takes them all on a special trip on the London Eye. His departure is as sudden as his arrival but there’s one more surprise left for Paddington - some treasure left buried in the garden by his uncle.

....... From Paddington's Official Website (click HERE for more)

FIRST SENTENCE: "My shopping basket on wheels has been towed away!" exclaimed Paddington hotly.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: "I'm not very good at catching things. It isn't easy with paws."

Not exactly a childhood favourite, I came across the Paddington books relatively late in life (in my 20's) when Husband dearest bought me an omnibus edition of the stories. Would I enjoy this latest edition written so much later than the original?

Full of all the old characters (Mr & Mrs Brown, Jonathan & Judy, Mr Curry, Mrs Bird and, of course, Paddington himself) as well as one or two new additions, the story lines themselves have been slightly updated and yet remain just as charming as ever.

Wonderfully written and with its charmingly drawn pencil illustrations, the latest seven adventures of this much loved bear did not disappoint and I'm sure will be a big hit amongst this generation of children as well as the generation who grew up loving the marmalade eating bear - it comes highly recommended.

Paddington: Here And Now was a gift purchased through Amazon.