I have always loved Paddington Bear. My two books are well worn, including puppy teeth marks. I’ve read the books a zillion times to our children and to my preschool class.
When I learned that R.W. Alley, the current Paddington Bear illustrator, was the featured presenter, I couldn’t wait to visit the museum. Little did I know I would experience so much more at the Carle. That always happens. Always! But I’m getting ahead of myself.
R.W. Alley has illustrated the Paddington Bear books for twenty years. When the author Michael Bond died, his sister wanted to preserve his manuscripts. Alley met her, they became friends, and the rest is history. Alley’s presentation was lively and exciting. He told the story of Michael Bond; a BBC cameraman who wanted to be a writer. He saw a small bear in a store, and the story of a bear from Peru arriving in London at Paddington Station was born.
Alley was engaging, especially drawing Paddington for a big audience that included many children. He showed the audience how to draw. He made every child feel like an artist.
His book signing was the longest line, and I watched as he spent time with everyone – including me! He loved seeing my old books.
The Eric Carle Museum always has three exhibits. The featured exhibit was Raúl Colón.
His art is breathtaking. The detail is colorful and exquisite. He often illustrates books about historic people or heroes. And there it was at their bookstore, a book about Roberto Clemente:
I savored every page; the words were as good as the art. I knew right away I had to get that book for fellow blogger and friend Dan Antion at No Facilities
I was enveloped in wonderful art. I know what it feels like to be lost in a museum. That often happens at the Eric Carle Museum.
Another exhibit is Marlo Thomas’s Free to be You and Me. She was troubled by all the stereotypical boy/girl books, so she ‘spoke up’ and made a difference. Her record is a classic. Her message helped to bridge the gender gap. She was a woman ahead of her time.
There is always an exhibit about Eric Carle and his art ÚÚóat the museum. I cannot stress enough what it is like to see the REAL art of his books, inches away from my eyes. It’s one thing to see the detail, it’s another thing to see the art in a book I’ve read over and over again to children.
There it was, the REAL art of The Very Hungry Caterpillar:
No wonder this book is a classic. My preschool class studied Eric Carle’s endpapers – they’re different in every one of his books; a stand-alone work of art. Children loved recreating this book’s endpapers.
Cheers to The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What an awesome place to visit with wonderful displays. You always seem to meet someone wonderful every time you go there. I love Paddington and would enjoy meeting the current illustrator, R.W. Alley.
It is a treasure of a place to visit, Darlene. Yes, I always meet someone wonderful there. Lucky me! For a Paddington Bear lover, he was really terrific.
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another amazing visit for you! reading your posts over the years, I can truly see it is a magical place and you always experience something wonderful and unexpected every time you visit. I love the backstory of the Paddington in Peru came to be, and seeing your class project recreating the end papers.
Thank you, Beth. You are so right, it is a magical place, and I always experience something wonderful. I know when I need my ‘Eric Carle Museum fix’, and it never disappoints. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. If you ever get to western Massachusetts, we can be two crazy children’s book and art lovers at the Carle. 😀 They will love us!
yay! and I used a quote from the museum in my post for tomorrow )
Hooray!
Outstanding post for the book signing and museum, Jennie.
Thank you, GP.
You’re the best, Aunt Jennie. I will always remember you reading to the boys when you would visit. Love you! Jimmy
Awww…thank you, Jimmy. I remember, too.
You’re the best, Aunt Jennie. Will always remember you reading to the boys whenever you would visit. Love you! Jimmy
I wanted to wait until you posted about your visit to publicly thank you for that book, Jennie. I savored each and every page. Reading it took me back to when I was a child, sitting on my father’s lap as the Pirates won the Wold Series in 1960. And remembering days when we would go to Forbes Field early to watch the players warm up. Roberto Clemente would effortlessly throw from deep in the outfield, all the way to home plate. I will soon share that book with our daughter and, later this year, I’ll share it with my brother.
I really need to visit this museum.
My goodness, Dan. This is so wonderful. I knew Roberto Clemente was your hero in many ways, that’s why I had to send you the book. I’m glad it triggered many memories; ones I never knew like sitting on your father’s lap when the Pirates won the World Series, and many more. I know you’ll be sharing the book. I am so happy!
If you get to the museum, I’ll meet you there.
I’ll let you know if I head up there this summer.
Sounds good.
Gracious, I’d love recreating those books’s endpapers. What a great project after a wonderful adventure.
Yes, it was! Thank you, Ally.
How exciting and memorable. Interactive museums are the best experiences.
Yes, they are! Thank you, Pam.
Thanks, Jennie, for taking us with you at this wonderful museum.
That book by Marlo Thomas doesn’t surprise me. She gave up her acting career to devote her life to St. Jude’s, her father’s wonderful hospital.
Yes, she did. Such a great woman.
That man’s stories never get old.
I feel the same way. Thanks, Jacqui.
A great tour of the museum, Jenny. Thanks for taking us with you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, John.
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What an amazing meet and greet.. And I am a little bit envious lol. Paddington was and is still a favourite I read to my children… My Son even had a Paddington Bear bed set .. And we made a plaster of Paris model of Paddington together when he was 4 and painted it together… :-)… Loved your images, and the other exhibits and artwork… Your class looked to have been extra busy creating too..
Lovely Museum and share Jennie, thank you xx
Thank you, Sue! I know how you feel about Paddington. He was, and still is, beloved. I love your story; that put a smile on my face. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. It is a lovely museum. 🙂
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What a lovely post!
Thank you, Cathy!
I so appreciate that you took the time to share this. My heart and mind get lost in such energy and that gives me a reason to keep being creative, myself! Thank you.
Awww… I’m so glad, and how wonderful that this gives you reason to keep being creative. Thank you, Annette!
I love watching kids’ faces while they’re watching an illustrator make a character appear. I like the diversity of the exhibits at the museum. Marlo Thomas was a wonderful actress and a great example for young adult females. I remember when she was married to Phil Donahue.
Roberto Clemente was an inspiration on and off the ballfield. I’m glad you thought of Dan for this book. He loves his Pittsburgh teams.
I know what you mean, watching the kids ‘light up’ with an illustrator. You make a good point; the exhibits are always diverse. That means there’s something for everyone. For me, it means I always see something new. I forget that Marlo was married to Phil Donahue!
The minute I found the Roberto Clemente book, I knew I had to get it for Dan. His comment about the detailed memories of his father and watching Roberto are priceless. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was for me.
You are so lucky to be close enough to visit The Eric Carle Museum for all these special events, Jennie. I will get there someday. I bet Dan will be thrilled with his Roberto Clemente book.
I am very lucky, Carla. Thank you. Yes, Dan was beyond thrilled. His comment made me choke-up.
I need to get myself out to the Eric Carle Museum at some point.
How far are you from Amherst? It takes me an hour and a half. I check out their exhibits and presenters on line, and plan a good time. Boy, does it give me a great lift, plus I always find the unexpected. Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie. I’m two and a half hours from Amherst, which isn’t too far for a day trip.
Well, that’s not terribly far. Definitely good for a day trip.
Wonderful experience!
Yes! And thank you.
Oh wow! How wonderful!
Yes, and thank you!
Another great day for you at the museum. Paddington Bear is such an institution in the UK, there is even a statue of him in the railway station he is named after. Best wishes, Pete.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Paddington_Bear
It was, Pete. I wish you could have heard Alley talk about Bond. Thank you. If Paddington is big in America, I can only imagine how huge he is the the UK. Thanks for the link to his statue at Paddington Station.
Even the late Queen got involved. 😊
Oh My Goodness! 😀 Thank you, Pete. BTW, the illustrator (Alley) must have read this blog post and had a long, lovely reply. Nice.
Hi Jennie,
It was so nice to meet you have a moment to chat. You’re exactly the warm teacher youngsters need!
Drawing and talking about books with kids is the best. Often, even better than making the books.
I’m at work on a new Paddington book now with Michael Bond’s daughter, Karen Jankel. She’s done a remarkable job of unearthing stories her dad had written for magazines and newspapers and seasonal albums.
Also, I’m writing a new Breezy Valley book about the local Breezy Builders Construction Crew building a much needed new town library. It will have an excellent Children’s Room.
Best Wishes for a Happy Spring,
Bob Alley.
Hi Bob,
It was wonderful to meet you at the Carle. I could feel your excitement for what you do; of course that spills over to the children in the best of ways. No wonder you enjoy drawing and talking with children s much as you making the books.
Thank you for your kind words. Honestly, reading books to children – like Paddington Bear – is the best and most important thing i do. Really.
That’s exciting about your new Paddington book with Michael Bond’s daughter. Her father’s stories must be a treasure. Thank goodness she can bring Michael’s words to life, and you can illustrate them.
Keep me posted on your new Breezy Valley book, which sounds very exciting, and also the new Paddington Bear book. sfitzkee@erols.com
BTW, I have many UK followers, so you can imagine how excited they were to read about you and Paddington Bear.
Best to you,
Jennie Fitzkee
Having the children create their own end paper/pages is a brilliant art project. They looked great. That was another fantastic trip to the Carle. Thanks for taking us along.
Thank you, Deborah. It was one of the best art projects! Discovering the different endpapers was exciting. Many thanks for coming along on the trip to the Carle. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
It’s always a pleasure when you visit, Jennie! Thank you for capturing your experience so beautifully. And what an incredible project to bring to your classroom! Great timing for our Open + Shut: Celebrating the Art of Endpapers exhibition, opening April 19. Hope to see you back soon!
Thank you for your kind words. Visiting the Carle is always a wonderful experience, and writing about it is a pleasure. The children loved recreating Carle’s endpapers. I’m excited about Open + Shut. See you soon!
Awesome and excellent displays Jennie and the book signing too.
Thank you, Kamal!
Welcome Jennie 😊
Hi Jennie, I also love Paddington and have a number of the books and a bear from London.
That’s wonderful!
How fascinating! I loved Paddington stories when I was a girl. Great that you got to meet one of the illustrators of Michael Bond’s books.
Thanks you, Stevie. I’m glad Paddington remains popular here in America. It was really great to meet the current illustrator. The stories he shared of Michael Bond were terrific. It must have been wonderful to grow up with the books. Thank goodness my kids did.