Topsy and Tim

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Topsy and Tim is a series of children's books written by Jean Adamson and Gareth Adamson about twins and their adventures with their new friends. They were first published by Blackie in 1960; Topsy and Tim were relaunched in new editions in 1990, 2003 and 2009. [1] In 2020, Topsy and Tim "On the Farm" was reprinted to celebrate 60-years since the first publication.

Contents

Since 1960 more than 130 Topsy and Tim titles have been published with sales of more than 21 million. Since first broadcasting on Cbeebies in 2013, the live-action production of Topsy and Tim has received over 250 million views online.

Origin

In an interview with The Guardian , [2] Jean Adamson said that she and her future husband had been trained as book illustrators at Goldsmiths College. They decided to get married and quit their jobs in order to write and illustrate their own children's books. Their approach was shaped by a visit to a children's bookshop in Newcastle where they realised that there were few books depicting actual contemporary children. She explained that the books were also influenced by the post-war mood:

At that time, not so terribly long after the end of the war, England was just waking up, bright colours were coming in, there was a lovely optimistic feeling in the air. So I said "Why don't we do books with real live little children in, with the little adventures and so on that they have in the house?" [2]

Television series

The books have been adapted for television twice; first, in collaboration with Video Collection International in 1996 and, second, in collaboration with Darrall MacQueen Limited for the 2013 live-action production, first aired on Cbeebies, now available online and on DVD.

Bevanfield Films

Firstly by Bevanfield Films for BBC Studios Home Entertainment, 60 episode 5 minute animated series narrated by Roger Blake and was shown on ITV.

CBeebies

In 2013, a 13-minute live-action comedy series was made for CBeebies, with 3 series produced and 71 episodes made. Further details can be seen here: List of Topsy and Tim episodes . No further episodes have been planned as of 2024. The series was produced by Darrall Macqueen and distributed globally by WildBrain. Series 1 and 2 were filmed from March to October 2013, the Christmas Special was filmed in December 2013 and Series 3 was filmed from June to August 2015.

Characters

Cast list of Topsy and Tim
ActorCharacter
123
Jocelyn MacNabTopsy Main
Joshua LesterTim Main
Anna Acton Joy Main
Chris HannonBrian Main
Suzy Aitchison Grandma Jean Main
Natahlia ColbourneKerry Recurring
Tom HibberdTony Recurring
Nicole DavisDominique Recurring
Iain CampbellCarson Recurring Guest
Emily ButterfieldElaine Recurring Guest
Barry McCarthyMr Fishwick Recurring —
Kayleigh BurkeVinda Recurring
Natalya HibberdJosie— Recurring
Jon RummeyMr. Rosen Recurring
Tim HibberdMr. Fen— Recurring Guest
Joshua LevinStephen "Stevie" Dunton— Recurring
Kemaal Deen-EllisRai Recurring Guest —
Tom PricePaul— Recurring
Bobby SmalldridgeAndrew— Recurring
Emma KershawDr. Walton— Recurring
India BrownMolly— Recurring
Eva Alexander Miss Terry— Recurring —
June Whitfield Mrs Higley-Pigley— Guest —
James WooldridgeMr. Morris— Recurring
Glen DaviesDIY Derek Recurring Guest Recurring
Jake UnsworthKevin— Guest —


Topsy and Tim Books

First Generation: 1960-1987

The first Generation of Topsy and Tim Stories, characterised by Jean Adamson's rich gouache illustrations and believable stories filled with fun anecdotes by Gareth Adamson. Illustrated primarily by Jean Adamson, with some titles illustrated by Gareth Adamson and Gabrielle Adamson.

#DateTitleISBN
11960Monday Bookn/a
21960Tuesday Bookn/a
31961Wednesday Bookn/a
41961Thursday Bookn/a
51961Friday Bookn/a
61961Saturday Bookn/a
71962Sunday Bookn/a
81962Foggy Day 978-0-216-88664-3
91963Football Matchn/a
101964Snowy Day 978-0-216-89235-4
111965At the Seaside 978-0-216-88670-4
121968At School 978-0-216-89014-5
131968At the Zoo 978-0-216-89015-2
141970Bonfire Night 978-0-216-88667-4
151970Go Fishing 978-0-216-91398-1
161970On the Farm 978-0-216-88674-2
171970Paddling Pool 978-0-216-88675-9
181970The Adventures of Topsy and Tim 978-0-216-88704-6
191971Birthday Party 978-0-216-88719-0
201971Go to Hospital 978-0-216-88720-6
211971Happy Days with Topsy and Tim 978-0-216-89235-4
221971Surprises for Topsy and Tim 978-0-216-89233-0
231972Go Pony-Trekking 978-0-216-89528-7
241972Safety First with Topsy and Tim 978-0-216-91313-4
251972Take No Risks 978-0-216-90458-3
261973Go Sailing 978-0-216-89653-6
271973Learn to Swim 978-0-216-89654-3
281973Go Hill-Walking 978-0-216-89652-9
291974Cross the Channel 978-0-216-89808-0
301974Go to Holland 978-0-216-89734-2
311974In Belgium 978-0-216-89805-9
321975New Brother 978-0-216-90105-6
331975Visit the Dentist 978-0-216-89894-3
341975Visit the Doctors 978-0-216-89983-4
351976At the Wedding 978-0-216-90281-7
361976New School 978-0-216-90287-9
371976Pet Show 978-0-216-90284-8
381976Visit the Tower of London 978-0-216-90282-4
391977At the Circus 978-0-216-90403-3
401977Go Camping 978-0-216-90405-7
411977Go Shopping 978-0-216-90409-5
421977Monday Book (version 2) 978-0-216-90304-3
431977Tuesday Book (version 2) 978-0-216-90306-7
441977Wednesday Book (version 2) 978-0-216-90308-1
451977Thursday Book (version 2) 978-0-216-90310-4
461977Friday Book (version 2) 978-0-216-90312-8
471977Saturday Book (version 2) 978-0-216-89364-1
481977Sunday Book (version 2) 978-0-216-90302-9
491977Sports Day 978-0-216-90407-1
501977Through The Year 978-0-216-90300-5
511978At the Fairground 978-0-216-90529-0
521978At the Library 978-0-216-90523-8
531978At the Vet 978-0-216-90524-5
541978Choose a Puppy 978-0-216-90527-6
551978Meet the Monsters 978-0-216-90570-2
561978Picnic 978-0-216-90544-3
571978School Outing 978-0-216-90542-9
581978Train Journey 978-0-216-90568-9
591979At the Fire Station 978-0-216-90808-6
601979At the Jumble Sale 978-0-216-90807-9
611979At the Pantomime 978-0-216-90810-9
621979Caravan Holiday 978-0-216-90812-3
631979Go in an Aeroplane 978-0-216-90810-9
641979Have a Barbecue 978-0-216-90692-1
651979Move House 978-0-216-90688-4
661979At the Hairdresser 978-0-216-90691-4
671980Can Print in Colour 978-0-216-90991-5
681980Can Sing and Play 978-0-216-90988-5
691980Can Garden 978-0-216-90984-7
701981Can Cook 978-0-216-90986-1
711981Learn to Swim (version 2) 978-0-216-91143-7
721981Can Look After Pets 978-0-216-91123-9
731982ABC 978-0-216-91269-4
741982Can Make Music 978-0-216-91174-1
751982Counting Book 978-0-216-91267-0
761982Go Safely 978-0-216-91314-1
771982Have Their Eyes Tested 978-0-216-91154-3
781982Help the Dustmen 978-0-216-91260-1
791982New Playground 978-0-216-91258-8
801982School Play 978-0-216-91263-2
811982Can Play Party Games 978-0-216-91124-6
821983Chocolate Cook Book 978-0-216-91362-2
831983In the Kitchen 978-0-216-91520-6
841983Pets 978-0-216-91514-5
851983Big Fun Book 978-0-216-91272-4
861983Games Book
871983Go On Holiday 978-0-216-91400-1
881983Go riding 978-0-216-91402-5
891983Music Book 978-0-216-91515-2
901984At the Football Match (version 2) 978-0-216-91370-7
911984Playing Rhymes 978-0-216-91543-5
921984Tell the Time 978-0-216-91581-7
931984Visit the Police Station 978-0-216-91368-4
941984Word Book 978-0-216-91582-4
951985At the Bank 978-0-216-91810-8
961985Farm Day (Shape Book) 978-0-216-91721-7
971985Motorway Games 978-0-216-91706-4
981985On the Move (Shape Book) 978-0-216-91723-1
991985Ride Their Bikes 978-0-216-91815-3
1001985And the Babysitter 978-0-216-91704-0
1011985At the Supermarket 978-0-216-91367-7
1021985In the Gym 978-0-216-91813-9
1031986At the Post Office 978-0-216-91940-2
1041986At the Safari Park 978-0-216-91934-1
1051986Coach Journey 978-0-216-91936-5
1061986Learn to Horse Ride 978-0-216-91938-9
1071986New Shoes 978-0-216-91365-3
1081986Monday Book (version 3) 978-0-216-92040-8
1091986Tuesday Book (version 3) 978-0-216-92042-2
1101986Wednesday Book (version 3) 978-0-216-92044-6
1111986Thursday Book (version 3) 978-0-216-88660-5
1121986Friday Book (version 3) 978-0-216-92049-1
1131986Saturday Book (version 3) 978-0-216-92050-7
1141986Sunday Book (version 3) 978-0-216-92038-5
1151986Can Help Birds 978-0-216-91176-5
1161987At the Biscuit Factory 978-0-216-92311-9
1171987At the Farmyard 978-0-216-92317-1
1181987At the TV Studio 978-0-216-92313-3
1191987Stay with a Friend 978-0-216-92316-4
120-Seven Days with Topsy and Tim - Gift Pack-
121-Topsy and Tim's Animal Friends - Gift Pack-
122-Going Places with Topsy and Tim - Gift Pack 978-0-216-91170-3

Second Generation: 1990-2007

The second generation of Topsy and Tim stories, with illustrations drafted by Jean Adamson and coloured by professional artists.

#DateTitleISBN-13
11990At the Supermarket (Version 2) 978-0-216-92857-2
21992At the Wedding (Version 2) 978-0-216-92849-7
31992Go in an Aeroplane (Version 2) 978-0-216-92466-6
41992Go on a Train (Version 2) 978-0-216-92855-8
51992Go to School 978-0-216-92468-0
61992Have Horse Riding Lessons 978-0-216-92600-4
71992Meet the Babysitter 978-0-216-92593-9
81992Ride Their Bikes (Version 2) 978-0-216-93134-3
91992Small Pets (Version 2) 978-0-216-92843-5
101992Stay with a Friend (Version 2) 978-0-216-93132-9
111993At Granny and Grandpa's 978-0-216-94054-3
121993Go Camping (Version 2) 978-0-216-94043-7
131993At the School Fair 978-0-216-94052-9
141995At the Gym Club 978-0-216-94169-4
151995First French Words - Premiers Mots Anglais 978-0-216-94092-5
161995Meet the Dinosaurs (Version 2) 978-0-216-94166-3
171996And the Bully 978-0-14-055954-5
181996and The New Baby 978-0-14-055915-6
191996And the New Puppy (Version 2) 978-0-14-055937-8
201996Go to the Park 978-0-14-055927-9
211996Meet the Ambulance Crew 978-0-7214-2860-4
221996Meet the Dentist (Version 2) 978-0-14-055924-8
231996Can Help Birds 978-0-216-91176-5
241997and their New School Friend 978-0-14-056184-5
251997Go in an Aeroplane (Version 3) 978-0-7214-2854-3
261997Go On Holiday (Version 3) 978-0-216-92466-6
271997Have Their Eyes Tested (Version 2) 978-0-14-055916-3
281998Go on a Train (Version 3) 978-1-4093-1064-8
291998Start School (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2841-3
301999A Special Visit 978-0-7214-2041-7
311999And The New Baby (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2851-2
321999At the Farm (Version 3) 978-0-7214-2846-8
331999Buckets and Spades 978-0-7214-2042-4
341999Can Look After Their Pets (Version 3) 978-0-7214-2852-9
351999First School Stories 978-0-7214-9787-7
361999Go to Hospital (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2853-6
371999Go to the Dentist (Version 3) 978-0-7214-2856-7
381999Go to the Doctor (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2859-8
391999Go to the Park (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2847-5
401999Go to the Zoo (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2845-1
411999Growing Up Stories 978-0-7214-9785-3
421999Have a Birthday Party 978-0-7214-2849-9
431999Learn to Swim (Version 3) 978-0-7214-2842-0
441999Little Lost Rabbit (Version 1) 978-0-7214-1933-6
451999Little Shoppers (Version 3) 978-0-7214-2044-8
461999Meet the Ambulance Crew (Version 1) 978-0-7214-2860-4
471999Meet the Police 978-0-7214-2858-1
481999Old Shoes New Shoes (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2043-1
491999Red Boots Yellow Boots 978-0-7214-1932-9
501999The Big Surprise 978-0-7214-1934-3
512000Word Book 978-0-7214-2217-6
522000Go Out and About-
532001Learn ABC (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2371-5
542001Learn About Time (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2372-2
552001Learn Opposites 978-0-7214-2373-9
562001Learn to Count (Version 2) 978-0-7214-2370-8
572003At the Farm (Version 4) 978-1-904351-20-7
582003Go to the Dentist (Version 4) 978-1-904351-27-6
592003Go to the Doctor (Version 3) 978-1-904351-29-0
602003Go to the Park (Version 3) 978-1-904351-22-1
612003Go to the Zoo (Version 3) 978-1-904351-21-4
622003Learn to Swim (Version 4) 978-1-904351-18-4
632003Look After Their Pets (Version 4) 978-1-904351-23-8
642003Meet the Firefighters (Version 2) 978-1-904351-31-3
652003Meet the Police (Version 3) 978-1-904351-30-6
662003Start School (Version 3) 978-1-904351-19-1
672003The New Baby (Version 3) 978-1-904351-25-2
682004Busy Builders 978-1-84422-312-1
692004Little Lost Rabbit (Version 2) 978-1-84422-314-5
702004Red Boots Yellow Boots (Version 2) 978-1-84422-311-4
712004The Big Surprise (Version 2) 978-1-84422-313-8
722005Have Itchy Heads 978-1-84422-581-1
732005Help a Friend 978-1-84422-582-8
742005Little ABC Library-
752006Have Chickenpox 978-1-84646-144-6
762006New Lunchboxes 978-1-84646-141-5
772007Go Camping (Version 3) 978-1-84646-583-3
782007Go on a Train (Version 3) 978-1-84646-584-0

Third Generation: 2009-Ongoing

The third Generation of Topsy and Tim books, based on the original stories by Jean and Gareth Adamson, with modernised illustrations by Belinda Worsley.

#DateTitleISBN-13
12009Go on an Aeroplane (version 4) 978-1-4093-0057-1
22009Go to the Zoo (version 4) 978-1-4093-0084-7
32009Have a Birthday Party 978-1-4093-0061-8
42009Learn to Swim (version 5) 978-1-4093-0060-1
52009Little ABC Library (version 4) 978-1-4093-0226-1
62009Start School (version 4) 978-1-4093-0083-0
72009The New Baby (version 4) 978-1-4093-0056-4
82010At the Farm (version 5) 978-1-4093-0336-7
92010Go Camping (version 4) 978-1-4093-0333-6
102010Go on a Train (version 5) 978-1-4093-0424-1
112010Go to Hospital (version 3) 978-1-4093-0423-4
122010Go to the Dentist 978-1-4093-0058-8
132010Go to the Doctor 978-1-4093-0334-3
142010Play Football (version 3) 978-1-4093-0335-0
152011First Numbers 978-1-4093-0925-3
162011First Writing 978-1-4093-0924-6
172011Have Itchy Heads (version 2) 978-1-4093-0720-4
182011Meet the Firefighters (version 3) 978-1-4093-0721-1
192011Meet the Police (version 4) 978-1-4093-0883-6
202011Safety First 978-1-4093-0882-9
212012Visit London 978-1-4093-0947-5
222013Meet Father Christmas 978-1-4093-1159-1
232013The Big Race 978-0-7232-7385-1
242014Go For Gold / Sports Day 978-1-4093-0946-8
252015First Numbers Sticker Counting Book 978-0-7232-9463-4
262015First Words 978-0-7232-9465-8
272015Help a Friend (version 2) 978-0-7232-9259-3
282016Our Day Clock (version 3) 978-0-241-19644-1
292017Go on Holiday (version 3) 978-0-241-28255-7
302017Have Their Eyes Tested (version 3) 978-0-241-28254-0
312019Halloween Party 978-0-241-38616-3

Republished: 2020-Ongoing

Republications of the original Topsy and Tim stories, bringing back the classic gouache illustrations by Jean Adamson.

#DateTitleISBN-13
12020On the Farm 60th Anniversary Edition 978-0-241-42046-1

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References

  1. ↑ Rigby, Nic (22 January 2003). "Relaunch for Topsy and Tim". BBC News.
  2. 1 2 Pauli, Michelle; Nylind, Linda; Wyse, Pascal (2 November 2010). "Jean Adamson: Living with Topsy and Tim". The Guardian .
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