HarperCollins Children's Books to publish newly discovered Paddington story

HarperCollins Children’s Books (HCCB) is publishing a newly discovered Paddington story thanks to an “unexpected and exciting” find by Hilary Delamere, Michael Bond’s agent.    

The unearthed text, Paddington’s Easter Egg Hunt, was written by Bond and his daughter Karen Jankel for a charity newsletter many years ago. It will now be released as an Easter picture book together with R W Alley’s Paddington artwork, with the audiobook read by actor Jim Broadbent. 

Kate Hayler, editor at large, acquired world rights from Hilary Delamere at The Agency, representing Bond, and Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at The Red Fox Literary Agency, representing Alley. It will be published in March 2022.  

In the story, Paddington is excited to be organising an Easter egg hunt for his neighbours but as usual nothing goes to plan and Paddington wonders if the egg hunt can ever go ahead. That is, until Mr Gruber’s book of Roman mosaics and some marmalade give him a brilliant idea with some outrageously sticky results. 

Jankel, who also co-authored Paddington Goes to Hospital with her father, said: “When I first re-read this story that we wrote together many years ago it brought back some very happy memories of working with my father. I’m sure he would have been as delighted as I am that, together with Bob Alley’s charming illustrations, it’s been turned into such a lovely picture book.” 

Hayler added: “It was a wonderful surprise when Michael Bond’s agent Hilary Delamere brought this hidden gem of a story, written by Michael and his daughter Karen Jankel, to us and a real joy to work with Karen and illustrator R W Alley to turn it into a glorious picture book. HCCB couldn’t be more thrilled to be publishing this brilliantly funny Paddington Easter treat this spring!”