nPostednon January 13, 2016
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nHendropped out of school at age 14, but he now has an Honorary Doctor ofnLetters from a university.
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nHensurvived a deadly air raid during World War II and then volunteerednfor the Royal Air Force when he was just 17, but he was dischargednfor air sickness – and spent the rest of the war serving in thenBritish Army.
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Born on this date in 1926, Michael Bond said he wouldn’t mind being a writer—he’d already sold a short story orntwo, and he’d produced a few plays—but his main job was being a BBCntelevision cameraman.
Born on this date in 1926, Michael Bond said he wouldn’t mind being a writer—he’d already sold a short story orntwo, and he’d produced a few plays—but his main job was being a BBCntelevision cameraman. n
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nBut that was before he published his firstnbook, A Bear Called Paddington. That story—about a bear fromnDarkest Peru, whose Aunt Lucy sends him to England wearing an old hatnand a duffle coat, and carrying a jar of marmalade—was a big hit. n
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Hownbig? Big enough that Bond has written 26 Paddington books, which havenbeen published in around 20 countries in over 40 languages. Bignenough that more than 35 million Paddington books have been sold! Bignenough that there has been a film, a TV series, and countless stuffedn/ plush Paddington bears. Big enough that there have ALSO been manynother assorted items—from smocks and a special Paddington Bearnduffle coat to lunch boxes and suitcases—and even Paddington Bearnmarmalade! n
Hownbig? Big enough that Bond has written 26 Paddington books, which havenbeen published in around 20 countries in over 40 languages. Bignenough that more than 35 million Paddington books have been sold! Bignenough that there has been a film, a TV series, and countless stuffedn/ plush Paddington bears. Big enough that there have ALSO been manynother assorted items—from smocks and a special Paddington Bearnduffle coat to lunch boxes and suitcases—and even Paddington Bearnmarmalade! nn
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| Paddington Bear has a million different “looks,” from animated cartoon to plush toy, to CGI movie. |
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Bignenough that Paddington Bear has appeared on a Royal Mail stamp, on anGoogle doodle, and with one of the balloons of the traditional Macy’snThanksgiving Day Parade.
Bignenough that Paddington Bear has appeared on a Royal Mail stamp, on anGoogle doodle, and with one of the balloons of the traditional Macy’snThanksgiving Day Parade. n
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nAccording to Wikipedia, PaddingtonnBear has even inspired “pop bands, race horses, plays…” Inn2014, Paddington Trail was launched in London, with 50 PaddingtonnBear statues made by artists, designers, and celebrities placed near parks, shops, and landmarks. After Londoners andntourists enjoyed following the trail for a few months, the statuesnwere auctioned off, with the proceeds going to charity.
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| Here are just a few of the bear statues: |
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| Some celebrities posed with “their” bear statues. Here is Benedict Cumberbatch with his Sherlock Bear. |
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As opposed to all those temporary
London statues decorated so
differently by celebrities, this
Paddington Bear statue is permanently
on display – at the Paddington Station!n
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nCheckn out “Shine,”n by Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams, with loads of clips from then recent movie.
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nInread that Paddington Bear is the second-best-known bear in fiction.nCan you guess who is even better known?
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n(Answernwaaaaaayyy down at the bottom V.)
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nAlsonon this date:
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Poetry at Work Day
Poetry at Work Day n
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nLiberationnDay in Togo
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nRubbernDuckie Day
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nStephennFoster Memorial Day
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nDefendersnof Freedom Day in Lithuania
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nAnniversarynof the discovery of Callisto
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Plannahead:
Plannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest pages on:
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nJanuaryn birthdays
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nAnswer:nWinnienthe Pooh is considered by many to be the best-known bear in fiction.
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