A Bear Called Paddington Family Dinner Book Club

It’s a brand new year for Family Dinner Book Club . We have a great 2016 line-up of picture books and chapter books to enjoy this year.

This month we are featuring A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond.

Get great ideas to plan your menu, make table decoration crafts, talk about the book and complete a family service project. We have thought of everything you need!  So, get a copy of the book and join in on the fun.

Full Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.

Just to review a bit if you are new to the fun… Family Dinner Book Club is a monthly book club for your family.  On the 1st of each month, we provide all the details for your special club dinner.  Sarah from Daisy at Home shares a special menu to compliment the book.  Laura from Sunny Day Family shares easy table crafts.  And, I will share conversation starters and a service project for your family.

We invite you to share a picture from your dinner with us anytime during the month on our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page.  Plus, you will want to follow along there for more bonus ideas to use with the books each month.

Now, on to all of the details!

A Bear Called Paddington

The Book

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0062422758″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Paddington[/easyazon_link] has traveled a great distance from his home in Peru to England where he meets the Brown family.  The lovely family invites him into their home where he has many adventures.  Paddington sure does find himself in lots of mishaps which cause lots of chuckles for the reader.

My boys especially liked listening to the audio version of this book.  Stephen Fry does a nice job with all the character voices and it was a delight to listen to in the car.  You can listen for free with an Audible trial.

Topics

Here are six conversation starters to get your dinner book club rolling.  Just click on this link (A Bear Called Paddington Conversation Starters) for a one page PDF file that you can print and then cut apart.  Use the cards on your chosen dinner night.  You, of course, don’t have to use all of them or you may even have some other discussion points that developed while you were reading.  These are just meant to be a guide.  Happy talking!

• There was a label around Paddington’s neck when the Browns found him that said, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”  Why do you think he arrived with that message?
• If Paddington came to stay at your house, what things would you do with him?
• What words would you use to best describe Paddington?
• Locate London and Peru on a map.  What types of transportation would be needed to travel between the two places?
• Which mishap of Paddington’s did you enjoy the most?
• Let’s talk about some of the British-English words in the story- lift(elevator), busby (hat), fairy cakes (small, iced sponge cakes), treacle (a blend of molasses, sugar, and corn syrup), spanner (wrench), sweet-meat (dessert).  Let’s see if we can use a few during dinner tonight.

Family Service Project

Paddington didn’t have much in his suitcase when he traveled from his home in Peru.  I was reminded of all the kids in the world who have to leave their homes for many reasons and can’t take any of their belongings with them.

This month make a care package for a child or a family who is in crisis.  Pack things that would be comforting to a child such as a stuffed animal, book, fun pajamas and a special note.  Deliver your package to a crisis nursery, woman’s shelter or other organization that works with families in crisis.

Table Decorations and Menu

Now, head over to Daisy at Home to get the A Bear Called Paddington menu.  Then, check out the table crafts at Sunny Day Family.

We hope you are inspired to create a fun and meaningful Family Dinner Book Club with your own family. Remember that we want to see pictures of your dinner.  Please share them our special Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page.

You can see all the books being featured for Family Dinner Book Club in 2016.

And, join us again in February for another Family Dinner Book Club when we will feature [easyazon_link identifier=”0399257748″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Last Stop on Market Street[/easyazon_link]!