Fans takes the reader on a journey through a constellation of fandoms, and along the way demonstrates some fundamental truths about the human condition. Part behavioural study, part entertainment, at its heart the book is a story of collectives, of what happens to us when we interact with people who share our passions. The human brain is wired to reach out, and while our groupish tendencies can bring much strife (religious intolerance, racism, war, etc.), they are also the source of some of our greatest satisfactions.
Fandoms offer much of the pleasure of tribalism with little of the harm: a feeling of belonging and of shared culture, a sense of meaning and purpose, improved mental well-being, reassurance that our most outlandish convictions will be taken seriously, and the freedom to try to emulate (and dress like) our hero.
In Fans, Michael Bond explores the subject through the lens of social identity theory, a set of ideas used by social psychologists and anthropologists to understand how people behave in groups and why groups have such a profound effect on human culture.
A funny story about Paddington, the world’s favourite bear – now a major movie star!
Paddington is excited to be organising an Easter egg hunt for his neighbours. But, from finding empty supermarket shelves, to buying a box of broken Easter eggs, Paddington wonders if the hunt can ever go ahead. That is, until Mr Gruber’s book on Roman mosaics and some sticky marmalade give him a brilliant idea . . .
A deliciously funny Easter story, perfect for Paddington fans!
“We should never have given Paddington a boomerang for his birthday,” said Mrs Brown as she gazed down at the figure lying on the lawn. “I knew no good would come of it.” Paddington let out a groan …
When the Browns find Paddington lying on the lawn, unable to remember where he is or even what the word “bun” means, they immediately realise something is seriously wrong and send for an ambulance. It’s Paddington’s first time in hospital and the doctors and nurses soon discover that he is rather an unusual patient!
Full of the humorous misunderstandings and adventures that this lovable bear is famous for, this is a great story for the young Paddington fan who is apprehensive, or merely curious, about what goes on inside a hospital.
The circus is in town and Paddington is very excited. The Browns get tickets for the front row so Paddington can see all the action. He gets a shock when it looks like a clown on stilts is going to give him a soaking, but not as much of a shock as the audience gets when Paddington tries his hand at the trapeze….
Paddington gets into a sticky situation yet again. As ever, he thinks he’s helping out, but he ends up having to be rescued when he tries to help the trapeze artists in the circus. However, he comes out on top when the audience decided that he’s the star of the show.
AGE 4-8
When Mr Gruber takes Paddington to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard, there are so many people in the way he can’t see a thing. But a mysterious someone ‘on high’ comes to his rescue and Paddington has a very good idea who it might be.
READ BY PAUL VAUGHAN. When Mr Gruber takes Paddington to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard, there are so many people in the way he can’t see a thing. Luckily, a mysterious someone ‘on high’ appears to like small bears…
When Paddington starts to make a list of all the nice things he can think of about being a bear and living with the Browns he is sure to include ‘the garden’. Paddington feels very lucky to have such a nice garden, especially as he has his own little patch in it, to keep him out of mischief!
But when Paddington is around things are rarely simple and he soon finds that gardening is not as easy as he had first thought. He sets out, with a jar of marmalade of course, to look for ideas and ends up in a building site behind the Browns’ garden. He is sure that if he climbs up a nearby ladder he will get an excellent view of his own little garden and that will help him with his design.
Unfortunately, bears, building sites and marmalade don’t really mix. But, as usual, Paddington is able to turn circumstances to his advantage and come out on top after all!
Paddington is delighted when his friend Mr Gruber suggests going for a day out in the city. He is even more excited when he discovers they will be going on a tour bus.Unfortunately, the other tourists think he is their tour guide and follow him everywhere and soon the bear from Darkest Peru is soon deep in his own special brand of chaos.
READ BY PAUL VAUGHAN. Paddington is very excited. He is going on a day trip around the city with his friend, Mr Gruber. With his suitcase full of marmalade sandwiches and Mrs Bird’s umbrella in case it rains, the bear from darkest Peru is ready for anything. Or almost. How is Paddington to know that the other tourists will think he was their tour guide? And how could he guess that they will follow him everywhere? Chaos and humour are hand-in-hand in this new story about the bear who always gets it right in the end.
The classic story of a much-loved bear – Paddington!
Paddington Bear first met the Brown family at a railway station – Paddington station, in fact. He had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru with only a jar of marmalade, a suitcase and a label reading ‘Please look after this bear’. Without further ado, Mr and Mrs Brown promptly welcomed the adventurous bear into their family, and in honour of their meeting place they named him Paddington.
The Browns soon discover that Paddington is a most unusual bear. Ordinary things – like having a bath – become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is around.
Paddington Bear has been delighting adults and children alike with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures for over sixty years. Here you can listen to six hilarious Paddington stories, read by Stephen Fry.
Paddington is now a major movie star!
Paddington Bear had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru when the Brown family first met him on Paddington station. Since then their lives have never been quite the same… for ordinary things become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is around.
This fun-filled collection brings together six laugh-out-loud stories:
Paddington at the Fair
Paddington in Hot Water
Paddington and the Busy Day
Paddington Minds the House
Paddington and the Tutti-Frutti Rainbow
Paddington’s Party Tricks
A funny birthday story about Paddington, the beloved, classic bear from darkest Peru – now a major movie star!
For more than six decades, stories of Paddington Bear have delighted children all over the world.
It’s Mr Gruber’s birthday party, and Paddington is providing the entertainment. Mr Curry tries to spoil the fun, as always, but it’s Paddington who gets the last laugh . . .
A funny seaside story about Paddington, the beloved, classic bear from darkest Peru – now a major movie star!
For more than six decades, stories of Paddington Bear have delighted children all over the world.
When the Browns take Paddington on a trip to the seaside, a storm threatens to dampen their day. Will an extra-special ice cream and some wishful thinking bring the sun out again?
A funny story about Paddington, the beloved, classic bear from darkest Peru – now a major movie star!
For more than six decades, stories of Paddington Bear have delighted children all over the world.
When the Browns go out for the day, Paddington decides to surprise them by baking a chocolate cake and spring cleaning the house. However, it isn’t a good idea to try and do both things at the same time, as Paddington soon finds out . . .
