Book Review: Paddington Helps Out by Michael Bond (Paddington Bear #3)

That bear is back again, and in this new edition of Paddington Helps Out, his attraction for near disaster is as magnetic as ever. Who but Paddington would set out to cook dumplings only to find himself chased from the kitchen by something so nasty only his resourceful friend Mr. Gruber can rescue him? And who else could get away with sawing his neighbor’s kitchen table in two or flooding the launderette? These and other riotous adventures all find their way into Paddington’s scrapbook and make for another delightful book starring this beloved bear from Darkest Peru.

My Review:
Paddington is somewhat excited by the idea of his first riverside picnic and boat ride but Mr Brown causes trouble by having Paddington as his assistant and shouting maritime instructions at the very confused bear, leading to disasters involving bears and old hats. Mr Gruber decides to take Paddington on a trip to an auction house, knowing how keen his friend is in experiencing new adventures and going on outings. But if you are going to take a bear to a sale like that, is is a good idea to explain to him how easy it is to bid without meaning to! The bear in question though is determined to make full use of the items that he ends up buying which as always will be bad news for mean Mr Curry!

My Curry takes advantage of Paddington's good nature and wants a magazine rack made with Paddington's new tools. Having Paddington in your house for any reason is bad news but especially when he is armed to the teeth with a tool kit! Mistakes can happen to anyone but Paddington has a habit of trying to sort things and making it worse-which of course is what happens here. For the Browns, having their bear create chaos in Mr Curry's house is one thing but when it occurs in your home it is something quite different. With the children back at school and Mrs Bird away, it is up to Paddington to look after Mr and Mrs Brown when they are sick in their bed. Digging out recipies to try on the sick causes something quite scary to happen in the kitchen and an SOS to Mr Gruber is required!

Paddington decides on a visit to the laundrette to keep up with the laundry but without really knowing how to operate the machine, that was always going to begin another episode of water based fun. Again the cartoons for the story are very funny! Mr Brown makes another terrible decision to have a posh anniversary dinner in celebration of Paddington's first year with the family. Paddington is busy wondering whether they have marmalade sandwiches and the waiting staff are unsure how to deal with an awkward bear customer at such a posh dinery! It was amusing to watch the crisis developing! 

I love how polite Paddington is with everyone, always raising his hat in respect to people wherever he goes which of course causes all kinds of trouble at the auction. If only people in our countries had the same manners as bears from Darkest Peru then things would improve! Nobody can doubt that he is a kind and thoughtful bear but he really needs to ask for help instead of blundering about! And WHY does anyone do anything for that miserly Mr Curry! Stop him from taking advantage of poor Paddington! I have no sympathy each time that bear destroys a bit of Mr Curry's home and garden! Give him your stare Paddington!

Another entertaining few stories about Paddington and his friends. 

Read July 2020 
4 stars.