Paddington Bear Celebrates His 50th Birthday!

Paddington Bear is celebrating a birthday today. Paddington Bear's website reminds fans of the birthday, which celebrates the date that the first Paddington Bear book, "A Bear Called Paddington" was originally published. For years, Paddington Bear has been a collectible, a family favorite, and a British icon. In fact, the bear himself celebrated the day with a tour around London. Joining other celebrity bears as he grows old, today is a special day for Paddington Bear and his fans worldwide.

Who is Paddington Bear?
Paddington Bear is a worldwide favorite, a bear found at Paddington Station in London, England. Paddington Bear was created by Michael Bond, and originally began as one book, "A Bear Called Paddington." Bond then went on to write several more Paddington books, and over time, Paddington has become a nursery favorite. He's been on television, in books, made into stuffed animals and related toys. In fact, Paddington has become so popular that his website reports that there are over thirty-five million copies of Paddington books in print today.

Is Paddington Bear the oldest celebrity bear?
Paddington Bear is in good company among other celebrity bears. Though Disney's version of Winnie the Pooh has only been around since 1966, the bear was actually born in 1926 when created by A.A. Milne. Other popular bears for children, the Berenstein Bears are relative youngsters, having only been in print in books since 1962. Paddington Bear is certainly in good company.

How can you celebrate Paddington's birthday?
Are your children Paddington Bear fans? Celebrate Paddington's birthday by visiting his website and printing out a variety of Paddington coloring pages and activities. If you live in the UK, Paddington will be making a tour of London today, ending at the place where it all began--Paddington Station. There's a contest for those who manage to snag a shot of the bear while he's out and about today. Make a birthday cake and have a party for Paddington, read Paddington books with the family, or sample some marmalade or marmite, Paddington's favorites.

Happy Birthday, Paddington Bear!