More than Marmalade – Blog Tour – The Caffeinated Reader

Hi everyone! Today I’m excited to participate in the creative blog tour for MORE THAN MARMALADE: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear by Rosanne Tolin organized by MTMC Tours! An incredible true tale, More than Marmalade is the first biography about the writer behind the beloved series.

Blurb:

Michael Bond never intended to be a children’s writer. Though an avid reader, he was by no means a model student and quit school at 14. He repaired rooftop radio transmitters during the bombing of Britain in World War II and later joined the army. He wrote about the war and more, selling stories here and there.

One day, while searching for inspiration at his typewriter, hoping for a big story that would allow him to write full time, a stuffed bear on top of the shelf—a Christmas present for his wife—suddenly caught his eye. Bond poured his personal feelings about the events of his era—the refugee children his family had hosted in the countryside, a war-torn country in recovery, the bustling immigrant neighborhood where he lived—into the story of a little bear from Peru who tries very, very hard to do things right. The result was A Bear Called Paddington.

An incredible true tale, More than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear is the first biography about the writer behind the beloved series. Author Rosanne Tolin reveals how world history, Bond’s life, and 1950s immigrant culture were embedded into Paddington’s creation, bringing middle-grade readers a delightful, informative, and engaging book with a timely message of acceptance.

Book Details
Title: More than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear
Author: Rosanne Tolin
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Publishing Date: March 3rd, 2020
Genres: Middle Grade Biography
ISBN:1641603143

Book Links

Chicago Review Press | Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads | Barnes & Noble

My Review

Like many others that I grew up with, I was a fan of Paddington Bear, I loved the little bear who wore wellies, ate marmalade sandwiches and had an infinity for getting into trouble.

So, hearing there was a middle-grade/older children biography on Michael Bond, the creator and writer for Paddington Bear [and the Paddington TV series!] I had to jump on board this tour.

I was not disappointed with this book. It was delightful in every sense.

Tolin writes it in a storytelling style to make it more engaging and easy for children to read. We learn about Michael Bond’s youth, his family life, school, and the effect of seeing children immigrating to England [or to the country from London] had on him. All of this culminated in the creation of Paddington and it was such a lovely tale to learn.

Michael Bond was driven by a love of children, of cultures as he befriended and loved to see so many cultures in London. He embraced the children and families who immigrated to England and he saw Paddington in them. So he gave us a little bear waiting at a station for a family to take care of him.

Really a heartwarming read and can be easily used as a teaching resource as well. I’m hoping my daughter may read this next, but, she’s got quite a big TBR of her own! [No fault of mine, I swear]

I give this 5/5 cups of coffee, a read not boggled down with too many facts but with just enough for the children to learn about Michael Bond and about Paddington. Thank you to the author/publisher and MTMC Tours for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the Author

Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Rosanne Tolin is a wife, mother of four, avid runner and author. While studying law abroad in London, she subsisted mainly on a diet of tea and toast, and frequented Paddington Station. An experienced and well-respected journalist, she has focused her work primarily on children’s publications. She was the former creator and editor of an ALA notable children’s website, managing editor of Guideposts for Kids magazine, and a Hoosier State Press Award-winning features writer. When not writing, she can be found hiking with her dogs in the Indiana Dunes.

MORE THAN MARMALADE: MICHAEL BOND AND THE STORY OF PADDINGTON BEAR is her book debut.