For a true Paddington Bear collector, there is surely none to compare with the original Gabrielle Designs bears. While many have tried to capture Paddington's character in plush, none succeeded so well as Shirley Clarkson and her team at the Home Farm in Burghwallis (in Doncaster, Yorkshire England). Something about the Gabrielle bears' expression - helpless, imploring, sweet, yet stalwart. They just had it right from the beginning. Surely many of us who have caught the Paddington bug have caught it from our first encounter with one of their creations. I know it was the case for me! So, naturally, I was interested in reading Shirley Clarkson's book "Bearly Believable: My Part in the Paddington Bear Story." Part autobiography, part business history, this was a very entertaining and informative read. If you want to know the history behind the Gabrielle bears, this book is for you. If you want to be educated and informed about the product that you are collecting/buying/selling, you need to read it. It's also good just for laughs: Shirley Clarkson has an earthy sense of humor and many funny stories to tell. Enjoy it if you can find it!
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