Did you know that Paddington Bear was inspired by young Jewish refugees from WWII? Michael Bond created the beloved character after witnessing children passing through England’s Paddington Station, each carrying a small suitcase and wearing a note around their neck with identifying information.
Following the horrors of Kristallnacht, the British government allowed entry to Jewish minors from 1938 to 1940, helping to rescue more than ten thousand children. Many were sent to live with family, friends or foster care. Parents would board their children onto the transports, saying their goodbyes without knowing if they would ever see each other again.
On October 13, 1958, Paddington Bear made his first appearance in the children’s book A Bear Called Paddington. Today, Paddington’s story has been shared in over 20 books, which have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide. It’s a story that began with a bear sitting alone at London’s Paddington Station, with a small suitcase and a note tied around his neck – “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
