Holiday vitrines, Boulevard Hausmann, Paris.
About three years ago, I read about a primary school teacher in Northern California who deliberately left a stuffed bear on an airport shuttle bus. She attached a note asking the finder to take "Adventure Bear" on their travels and photograph him, then send news to her classroom. A few people complied, accompanying the bear to several US cities. Over the course of a few months, David and I sent postcards to the classroom purporting to be from "Adventure Bear" in London or Paris.
The cards described Adventure Bear's experiences flying across the Atlantic; visiting the Tower of London and wearing bright yellow wellies while riding the London Eye with his new friend Paddington Bear. Other cards talked about Adventure Bear's Eurostar ride to Paris; his efforts to learn French; his fondness for red berets and sampling French miel (honey). We wrote about Adventure Bear's visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower, his boat ride along the Seine (in which he was admonished for getting honey on the seats) and art lessons at Montmartre. It is hoped the children in that Northern California classroom were pleasantly surprised to receive Adventure Bear's occasional postcards from France and England.
Bears on an underwater mission.
A children gazes in wonder at the floating bears.
Exploring sea life.
More curious children observe the bears' antics.
Oh - thank you so much for sharing these photos, Tara! What a wonderful undersea fantasy! And bless you for making that traveling Teddy's adventures come to life for those children - I bet they were absolutely delighted and riveted by all the tales of his journey! Wishing you many wonders and delights in this New Year, dear Tara~XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 01 January 2009 at 02:15
I hope they enjoyed the cards! It was fun preparing them.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 31 December 2008 at 12:23
Aren't the windows amazing? Those stylists have big imaginations.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 31 December 2008 at 12:23
I never fail to be amazed at these windows you show us, Tara! What art.
:)
Posted by: amber | 30 December 2008 at 10:30
The class must have absolutely flipped when receiving the photos and grand stories of adventure bear!! something they will never forget.
Posted by: stephanie | 29 December 2008 at 22:51
In my opinion, the world can never get enough of art and stories.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:58
Constance, it's not as imaginative as the fairyland you created for your friends' children. :) xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:57
Anything to help children's worlds of wonder expand has to be fun, right? xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:56
Merci bien, Judith! Isn't Paddington the BEST??!! I took my daughter's Paddington on the plane to Philadelphia.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:55
Yes, so much fun. I felt like a kid myself! :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:55
Hmmm...now there's an idea! The happiest of new years to you too, dear Karen. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:54
Alex, thank you! Can't wait to hear the latest. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:54
TB, there can never be enough Adventure Bears, in my humble opinion. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:53
Leau, aren't those vitrine designers incredibly talented? As for the "act of kindness," we had the most fun making up those cards and sending them - probably tickled us more than the children! :) xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:52
Gill, the pleasure was mine. I remember how when I was a child, I loved hearing and reading about faraway lands and places I saw on television or in the movies. Hopefully, these children were entertained and learned a thing or two about Paris and London. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:51
Jeanie, we probably got a bigger kick of the whole thing than the children for whom the cards were intended! :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:50
It was fun, imagining the reactions of those children. I just wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see for myself! Then again, the secrecy was part of the fun. xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:49
Merci, mon ami. xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:48
And to you, Beth! Hope you've been having wonderful holiday celebrations. And maybe the new year will find you back in Paris at some point??!!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 December 2008 at 21:48
That is SO cool! What a wonderful and enchanting thing to do!
Posted by: jeanie | 29 December 2008 at 21:32
What a great story- and photos to match. I love how you sent postcards Tara!!
Posted by: My Melange | 29 December 2008 at 18:09
You have such a big heart dear lady.
Posted by: Yoli | 28 December 2008 at 20:05
That's a great story, and one that brought the first smile to my face this morning. Schools need lots of Adventure Bears, don't they?
Posted by: tangobaby | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
These are so delightful and the colors are wonderful. I especially love the jellyfish. Your act of kindness probably made those kids dream of travel and adventure and it will return to you in some magical way. Ya never know what what's coming! smooches
Posted by: Leau | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
That is kind of you to take the time to do such a sweet thing. Those children will always remember that. You brought something magical to their lives. Those types of events inspire hope in children. Way to go Tara! I love the underwater bears. So sweet.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
It sounds like great fun for everyone! Way to go Tara!
Posted by: Mary T. | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
As a long time fan of dear Paddington ( and those yellow wellies ) --- -
know that this post brought a big smile to moi!
JJjjj
Posted by: judith | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
Aww, this is hope, in the most generous of doses.
xxoo
Teary.
Posted by: Christina | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
What great shots of these vitrines! Pure magic! And your story is so sweet... I love that idea! Miss you too, friend. I need to send you an email with updates soon! Hope your last days of 2008 are filled with joy and beauty! xo
Posted by: Gypsy Alex | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
What a beautiful idea....adventure bear. Sounds like a great children's book......hint, hint. Hopefully people would not be afraid of it being a terrorist plot. I'd like to think that there is only goodness in this world.
Have a happy and healthy new year, Tara!!!!
Posted by: Karen Cole | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
I love the Adventure Bear idea, and that you added Paris and London to the bear's travels. Thanks for sharing the pictures of these fabulous store window displays. Best wishes for a healthy and happy new year to you and yours!
Posted by: Beth Evans-Ramos | 28 December 2008 at 19:55
What you and your husband did for the class is imaginative and FUN!
I bet the children in that class will never forget. I LOVE the magical part of childhood!!! And your shot of the underwater vitrines too!!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 28 December 2008 at 16:04
oh come ON!! Isn't this a delight?! I love this. The art group I'm in did a flat stanley RR and it was SO much fun to put everyone in the pool, in the tea room, in the cappuccino, in the shower...
It changed them forever!
Posted by: Chris | 28 December 2008 at 15:52