Michael Bond (Illus. Peggy Fortnum), A Bear Called Paddington

HarperCollins, 9780007174164 | Suggested age range: 6-7

Paddington Bear has travelled alone all the way from Darkest Peru with only a single suitcase containing a jar of marmalade, and turns up unexpectedly on Paddington Station. Luckily, a label on the suitcase says, 'PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS BEAR. THANK YOU', and kind Mrs Brown decides to do just that. Full of domestic details to which Paddington adds a touch of the exotic, the adventures this small bear has as he does - and doesn't! - adapt to his new life are touching and funny.