Mr Gruber takes Paddington on a visit to Hampton Court. / Paddington is a classic bear, instantly recognisable to parents and loved by adults and children alike all over the world. / September 1999 saw the return of Paddington to our screens with a new series from Cinar. / Sales show no signs of flagging, and enormous quantities of merchandise are widely available. / With sticky sandwiches and hilarious misadventures these titles include all the winning elements that make Paddington everyone's favourite bear. / Competition: Paddington is a leader in his field - a classic picture book character with no direct competition.

Praise for the Paddington series: 'I've always had great respect for Paddington...He is a British institution.' Stephen Fry 'Paddington has joined Pooh as one of the great bears of English children's literature.' The Teacher 'Michael Bond's accident-prone bear...has become one of the most enduring of children's characters.' The Bookseller

Michael Bond was born in Newbury, Berkshire in 1926 and educated at Presentation College, Reading. He served in the Royal Air Force and the British Army before working as a cameraman for BBC TV for 19 years. In 1997, he was awarded an OBE for his services to children's literature. R. W. Alley has illustrated many children's books. he lives in Rhode Island, USA, with is wife and two children.