Reader’s Corner: Paddington Bear

What does a children’s book series have to do with the Holocaust? 

Eighty-six years ago, on a cold December day in 1938, the first Kindertransport of Jewish children arrived in London. These children were placed on trains in Germany by devastated parents in a desperate effort to save their lives, despite the parents knowing they themselves might not survive and would likely never see their children again. Each child carried a little suitcase and wore a name tag with an assigned number. They were traveling alone, identified only by their tag, and spoke no English. Some might have a little bear with them to give a small measure of comfort. Eventually almost 10,000 would arrive at Liverpool Street Station in London. 

Britain was known as a welcoming refuge for suffering people, but still, what a sight this must have been for onlookers in London! One of those Londoners was Michael Bond, who was a very young man when the children of the Kindertransport began to arrive. Moved by the sight of those brave children, Bond would later honor them by writing about a little bear, arriving by train, lost and alone and wearing a tag saying, “Please look after this bear. Thanks.” 

Many people have never realized the Paddington Bear stories they loved as kids or have read to children and grandchildren have a connection to the Holocaust. The Third Annual Holocaust Education and Awareness Week in Branson, April 6–12, 2025, will feature a special children’s event highlighting this connection. To close out the week’s film festival at the IMAX Entertainment Complex, there will be a special showing of the “Paddington” movie for children ages six to 12, accompanied by an adult, on Saturday morning, April 12. 

See more information about the Holocaust Education and Awareness Week in a related story, this issue, or follow the Antisemitism Education Center of the Ozarks on Facebook or visit the website, https://www.aecoedu.org.