The Copyrights Group announces new ranges of Paddington product ahead of anniversary year.

The first book from author Michael Bond, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958, and in 2018 the Paddington brand will be celebrating its 60 year anniversary.

Paddington will join World Book Day 2018. The classic title Paddington Turns Detective and Other Funny Stories will join the line up of books for World Book Day on 1st March. In addition, HarperCollins will release the final Paddington Bear story in June 2018, a year after the passing of Paddington creator Michael Bond. With illustrations from RW Alley, Paddington at St Paul’s will see Paddington set off for the cathedral, where he is mistaken for a choirboy.

Classic lines to launch this year include a new limited edition range of plush from Steiff in celebration of the anniversary. Launching from spring, the Paddington Steiff plush will be available in three sizes with a full range of gift boxing. Rainbow Designs will also be bolstering its Paddington plush range by introducing a special anniversary classic plush launching this summer for general retail.

Further lines to launch this year include paper products from museums and galleries from spring to include; cards, magnetic notepads, bookmark and wrapping paper with further seasonal lines launching in winter. Also launching in spring are cushions and jewellery lines from MBI, while Avec’s range of crafting products hit retail in May. The range is supported by further anniversary products across personalised invites/cards, crackers, prints, apparel and artworks.

In addition, there will be new movie lines from Beechdean for marmalade flavoured ice cream, an Easter Egg range from Kinnerton, refreshed Shrinkles from Keycraft and dress up from VMC.

Promotional activity is in place for the DVD release of Paddington 2, launching on 12th March, as well as key celebration timings and activities continuing throughout the year.