Paddington’s Finest Hour audiobook

I’ve been a huge fan of Paddington Bear ever since I was four years old. I read all of the books I could get my hands on and as time went by, the more I cherished my Paddington books (still own them). When I heard that Harper Collins UK was releasing a brand-new Paddington book (from a friend on Goodreads), I requested it on Netgalley. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be the same as the classic Paddington adventures of my youth but was thrilled to hear that this was written by Michael Bond before his passing. Paddington and the Browns are back for seven all-new adventures and they include some delightful mishaps such as pouring rain and the post, gardening, a cooking show and more. The chemistry and whimsy are infused in Paddington’s Finest Hour for a whole new generation of readers. I loved it and read it over and over again. Whether you are a child or a grown-up, you’ll fall in love with Paddington all over again. The illustrations are beautiful and reminiscent of the classic illustrations. A must own and read! Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in the hopes I’d review it. Favorite Character/Quote: Paddington. He’s one of my favourite literary characters and reading this book reminded me of reconnecting with a childhood friend. No matter how much time has gone by, they’re still lovely. My Rating: 5 starsThis review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com

Five Marmalade Sandwich StarsWell it's official, history truly does repeat itself. I started my reading journey as a child with Paddington books (I still have all the paperbacks to prove it) and I've come full circle, through every genre you can think of, back to Paddington. I enjoyed my Paddington experience as much as ever, it would appear my love of this bear and all his misadventures has never died, he is still as affable, naive and lovable as ever, a truly classic experience. A great read with all the usual suspects (I'd forgotten how mean Mr Curry was). A lovely classic to read to your children and grandchildren, or great for the kids to read on their own when they're at that stage. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (I saw it and could not resist, not once did I regret my decision).

What's not to love? And if you don't I will give you a paddington hard stare

A short, lovely book of stories about Paddington, a clever, well-meaning hellion of a bear.As far as I understand, Paddington is a cultural icon in the UK, something akin to Winnie The Pooh or Peter Pan, an instantly recognizable character that many people grew up with. But where other famous characters got somewhat lost in time as books about them came and went, Paddington keeps going, many stories and two films in now, this being the latest in his series of adventures.There are seven chapters in the book, all loosely connected by continuity beats, but each largely stand-alone delightful. The adventures are simple and quaint, including a downpour ruining a car trip to post a letter, a gardening mishap, a birthday party, and a variety show. But this easy charm, achieved by sheer warmth emanating from Paddington and his family, is worth quite a lot, especially as all this optimism seems effortless and real, supported by the fact that Mr. Brown, the father of the family, is still a sarcastic run-of-the-mill dad, balanced out by the ever-joyous bear.Reading this book brought me back to times when I was a kid and gulped down piles of stories about Winnie, fairy tales, and comic books. It's a throwback to a time when life consisted of sunshine and birdsongs and sure, it's naive, it's escapism at its most basic. But it works, it works one hundred percent. I loved this and I definitely see why Paddington is such an icon and why people love him.

"Time!" said Mr Brown. "The unseen enemy! If you want it to pass quickly, the clock seems to stand still. If you want to prolong the moment, it disappears before you can say the proverbial Jack Robinson."This is a paragraph from my favourite chapter "Dinner For One, which was freakin' hilarious. Maybe even one of the best Paddington stories yet. I love the Paddington Series. It is definitely one of my all-time favourites. It is a comfortable read and cheers you up when you are feeling down. Now I have to read How to Be More Paddington: A Book of Kindness and then.. I don't know. Perhaps re-read them all over again.

Thought that the style was a bit different in this one, which makes sense since it was written so many years after all the others. I really liked how there were moments where the Browns were reminiscing about their times with Paddington. It really felt like a ending book to the series.

I adore Paddington, so I'm afraid my review will be incredibly biased!I've subsequently discovered that this was Michael Bond's last Paddington book, which he wrote at the grand age of 91. The illustrations were done by my favourite Paddington illustrator, R. W. Alley, whose Paddington is delightfully whimsical and has the most lustrous black fluffy ears. Seven new Paddington stories are included in this volume, which includes all of Paddington's friends and nemisis, Mr Curry, alongside the Brown's and Mrs Bird.The stories are hilarious and a brilliant example comes when Paddington is sent off in the rain to post an important letter for Mr Brown. He gets back to the car where the family are huddled, trying to keep warm and to distract a police officer who's suspicious about why there's a bear in the car and opens the umbrella in the car - soaking every member of the family.Paddington gets his own back on Mr Curry after he has his plants stolen from his rockery in advance of the garden show competition. This shows that while Paddington is often naive, which is a huge part of his charm and gets him out of so many sticky situations of his own creation, that he's got the measure of Mr Curry and is able to get his revenge in a wholly wide-eyed and innocent way - go Paddington!Did I love this book? Hell yes. Could you tell?

Well, I wanted to start with A Bear Called Paddington (I think I saw the first part of the movie?) but, in a hurry, I borrowed Paddington's Finest Hour from the library. I just learnt that this was the author's last book. Nevertheless, I started with the last book. Who wouldn't like a bear who is innocent, helpful and witty (but in an innocent way). The book has seven chapters which are loosely connected. I really enjoyed the "Dinner for one" - it was humorous of all chapters.

Princess Fuzzypants here:Paddington Bear is a star. He's been a star for many decades thanks to the wonderful books but he is now also a star of film and in this book, he conquers a tv cooking show as well. Will his talents never end?With his duffle coat and his bush hat, our sweet bear from darkest Peru is back with some very funny and dear tales. No matter with whom he is confronted from the police to a shifty neighbour to the judges on the cooking show, he deals with them with good grace and cheer. He is unfailingly polite and helpful as he manages to charm his way out of trouble and into the hearts of his readers.There is a reason his stories have traversed generations.I give this five purrs and two paws up.

A rollicking good time will be had by all who read this latest installment in Paddington's adventures. There is plenty of humor surrounding all that Paddington does. And the Brown family, their housekeeper and other people add to the underlying humor. There are a few Britishisms which readers may puzzle over but hopefully this will lead them to research the terminology and enlarge their vocabularies. There are black and white drawings included which help to illustrate various scenes. Middle grade readers will enjoy all the fun.

I have been a fan of Paddington since I first read the books and watched the tv show when I was a kid.This was a sweet little book that I enjoyed listening to. Stephen Fry's narration was great. Each of these stories holds the wonder and whimsy that Paddington's stories always have. It's just as heartwarming and had a soothing quality that made it wonderful to wind down with. Any Paddington fan would enjoy this story and newer listeners and readers will also enjoy it. A great book for children. *I received a copy of the audiobook for free for an honest review.*

Absolutely charming, as I always expect with Paddington. Sad that this was the very final book in the series, but I can revisit the series again and again. Bond's writing will always transport me to my childhood.

Darkest Peru's biggest export is back in another timeless adventure. I'd grown up with Paddington at an early age and decided, thanks to Netgalley, to introduce my grandson to the lovable bear. Michael Bonds creation continues to charm even after all these years.

Newer books have less of Paddington's inner narrative, which is a major comic loss, and I miss the original illustrator, but it's still my fave "young bear gentleman"!