The Bookseller.com

5th July 2009

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First Paddington for 30 years

26.11.07 Caroline Horn

The first new Paddington novel for 30 years will be published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in June 2008, backed by a significant marketing and publishing programme. Sue Buswell, publishing director for picture books at HarperCollins Children's Books, bought UK and Commonwealth rights in Paddington Here and Now from Hilary Delamere of The Agency.

The publication of the book will also mark the 50th anniversary of Paddington's birthday; HarperCollins has been publishing Paddington books since A Bear Called Paddington was launched in 1958.

In Paddington Here and Now, life at number 32 Windsor Gardens is enlivened by the arrival, out of the blue, of a mysterious stranger, who not only disturbs the normal peace and quiet but forces Paddington to consider where his home really is.

Author Michael Bond, who is now 83, said, "One of the very nice things about chronicling Paddington's adventures is that although the world has changed considerably over the past 30 years, he remains exactly the same; eternally optimistic and ever open to what life has to offer. It makes writing the stories a pleasure."

HarperCollins children's