Michael Bond, Paddington creator, dies aged 91
Michael Bond, CBE, the creator of Paddington, has died at home at the age of 91, following a short illness.
Bond, who published his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, in 1958, went on to write more than 200 books for children.
Today is a very sad day. Michael Bond CBE will be missed by many. pic.twitter.com/ZoCb5sU2V9
— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) June 28, 2017
More than 35 million Paddington books have been sold around the world to date.
Along with Paddington himself, Bond's best-loved creations included Olga da Polga and A Mouse Called Thursday. He also wrote a series of adult novels, featuring the detective Monsieur Pamplemousse.
Bond's latest Paddington novel, Paddington’s Finest Hour, was published in April 2017, with a second Hollywood film based on the books due out later this year.
Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher at HarperCollins children’s books said: “I feel privileged to have been Michael Bond’s publisher – he was a true gentleman, a bon viveur, the most entertaining company and the most enchanting of writers.
Today is a very sad day. Michael Bond CBE will be missed by many. pic.twitter.com/ZoCb5sU2V9
— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) June 28, 2017
"He will be forever remembered for his creation of the iconic Paddington, with his duffle coat and wellington boots, which touched my own heart as a child and will live on in the hearts of future generations.
"My thoughts and love are with his wife, Sue and his children Karen and Anthony.”
Raise a marmalade sandwich https://t.co/hoUTSno1hv
— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) June 28, 2017
Thanks Mr Bond. pic.twitter.com/ByA7Yn2xA2
— barney farmer (@barneyfarmer) June 28, 2017
Charlie Redmayne, HarperCollins CEO, said: ‘Michael Bond was one of the great children’s writers and at HarperCollins we are immensely fortunate to have published him and to have known him.
"He was a wonderful man and leaves behind one of the great literary legacies of our time.”
Very sad to hear about Michael Bond. Let's raise a glass (and a marmalade sandwich) to him. pic.twitter.com/uiGk8tBFF8
— Chris Hewitt (@ChrisHewitt) June 28, 2017