An Enduring Friendship: The Story of a Bear Named Mr. Biddle

Families are flocking to the movie theater this summer for more than a break from the summer heat. Christopher Robin is returning to the Hundred Acre Wood yet again for a live-action adventure with Winnie the Pooh and the rest of the beloved gang.

Ewan McGregor stars as the title character in Christopher Robin, who is all grown-up and living an average life when he rediscovers his old friend, Pooh. The movie, produced by Disney, is in theaters August 3rd.

Winne the Pooh isn’t the only story book character getting the live-action treatment; in recent years, we’ve seen stories such as Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, and more come to live in new retellings in cinematic flare. Paddington Bear came to the live-action scene a few years ago for not just one movie, but a sequel as well. There have even been talks of a third installment in the future.

So, why is it that we love and cherish these stories so much? Why do we keep coming back for more? Insight into those answers takes us, not to the enchanted Hundred Acre Wood, but to the treasures of the Forest of Leeds, with “the most polite” and “well-dressed” bear in all of England as our guide.

Mr. Biddle has captured the hearts of all ages, but it was the heart and soul of Anne Mason that first befriended the magnificent bear. A woman of many remarkable feats, she found comfort and inspiration in her adoration of teddy bears.

Anne Mason began travelling and studying all across Europe as a young woman, even scaling her way up to the Mt. Everest’s Base Camp, which is perched at 17,600 feet. When she found her adventures placed on indefinite hold as she recovered from a medical hardship, she created an enduring friendship with a bear she named Mr. Biddle.

In an interview with the Battle Creek Enquirer back in March of 2018, Mason credits Mr. Biddle in giving her the will to live.

Originally self-published in 1996, Mason has since written a second version of “Mr. Biddle and the Squirrel’s Tale” last year. The new version of the tale, published by Indigo River Publishing, features photography by Jim Zuckerman showcasing the dapper Mr. Biddle, a furry, blond teddy bear, in the whimsical Forest of Leeds where he is joined by his woodland friends as they crack the case of the greatest heist the forest has ever seen.

Since the release, more and more readers of all ages have grown incredibly fond of Mr. Biddle. Flipping through the pages of “Mr. Biddle and the Squirrel’s Tale,” you will find a delightful mix of nostalgia and renewed wonder.

The choice to use photography for still-life illustrations embodies why we love these kinds of stories so much: our childlike imagination for play and fun is always in our hearts, fostered by fairy-tales and reminded by our favorite toys.

Mr. Biddle is just beginning his journey, as Anne Mason is in talks with Voyage Media of Los Angeles, California, to possibly produce an animated television series and a movie in the future. It seems incredibly fitting for Mr. Biddle and his friends to eventually come to the big screen to share with children of every age.

Until then, he can be found in “Mr. Biddle and the Squirrel’s Tale” available in stores and online. No batteries required to read these books to your kids, or to read it for yourself, just don’t forget to tell us about your time with Mr. Biddle and friends in the Forest of Leeds.

“Mr. Biddle and the Squirrel’s Tale” is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and on Indigo River Publishing’s site.

For more information about Mr. Biddle, visit his page!
http://www.mrbiddle.com

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