Topsy and Tim is a series of children's books written by Jean Adamson and Gareth Adamson about twins and their adventures with their friends. They were first published by Blackie in 1960; Topsy and Tim were relaunched in new editions in 1990, 2003 and 2009. In 2020, Topsy and Tim On the Farm was reprinted to celebrate 60 years since the first publication.
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, Jean Adamson said that she and her future husband had been trained as book illustrators at Goldsmiths College. They decided to get married and leave their former 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?"
Television series The books have been adapted for television twice; first, in collaboration with Video Collection International in 1991, and second, in collaboration with Darrall Macqueen Ltd for the 2013 live-action production, which first aired on CBeebies and is now available on DVD and online.
Bevanfield Films In 1991, an animated series was produced by Bevanfield Films for Video Collection International, consisting of 60 five-minute episodes narrated by Roger Blake. The series was broadcast on ITV.
CBeebies In 2013, a 13-minute live-action comedy series was made for CBeebies, consisting of three series and 71 episodes. 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 Ltd 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 Actor Character 1 2 3 Jocelyn MacNab Topsy O’Dell colspan="3" Joshua Lester Tim O’Dell colspan="3" Anna Acton Joy O’Dell colspan="3" Chris Hannon Brian O’Dell colspan="3" Suzy Aitchison Jean O’Dell colspan="3" Natahlia Colbourne Kerry colspan="3" Tom Hibberd Tony Welch colspan="3" Nicole Davis Dominique colspan="3" Iain Campbell Carson colspan="3" Emily Butterfield Elaine Welch colspan="2" colspan="1" Barry McCarthy Mr. Fishwick colspan="1" colspan="2" Kayleigh Burke Vinda colspan="3" Natalya Hibberd Josie Miller colspan="1" colspan="2" Jon Rummey Mr. Rosen colspan="3" Tim Hibberd Mr. Fen colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" Joshua Levin Stephen "Stevie" Dunton colspan="1" colspan="2" Kemaal Deen-Ellis Rai colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" Tom Price Paul Welch colspan="1" colspan="2" Bobby Smalldridge Andy Anderson colspan="1" colspan="2" Emma Kershaw Dr. Walton colspan="2" colspan="1" India Brown Molly colspan="2" colspan="1" Eva Alexander Miss Terry colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" June Whitfield Mrs Higley-Pigley colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" James Wooldridge Mr. Morris colspan="2" colspan="1" Glen Davies DIY Derek colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1" Jake Unsworth Kevin colspan="1" colspan="1" colspan="1"
Topsy and Tim Books
First Generation: 1960–1987 The first generation of Topsy and Tim books were characterised by Jean Adamson's rich gouache illustrations and believable stories filled with fun anecdotes by Gareth Adamson. They were illustrated primarily by Jean Adamson, with some titles illustrated by Gareth Adamson and Gabrielle Adamson.
# Date Title 1 1960 Monday Book n/a 2 1960 Tuesday Book n/a 3 1961 Wednesday Book n/a 4 1961 Thursday Book n/a 5 1961 Friday Book n/a 6 1961 Saturday Book n/a 7 1962 Sunday Book n/a 8 1962 Foggy Day 9 1963 Football Match n/a 10 1964 Snowy Day 11 1965 At the Seaside 12 1968 At School 13 1968 At the Zoo 14 1970 Bonfire Night 15 1970 Go Fishing 16 1970 On the Farm 17 1970 Paddling Pool 18 1970 The Adventures of Topsy and Tim 19 1971 Birthday Party 20 1971 Go to Hospital 21 1971 Happy Days with Topsy and Tim 22 1971 Surprises for Topsy and Tim 23 1972 Go Pony-Trekking 24 1972 Safety First with Topsy and Tim 25 1972 Take No Risks 26 1973 Go Sailing 27 1973 Learn to Swim 28 1973 Go Hill-Walking 29 1974 Cross the Channel 30 1974 Go to Holland 31 1974 In Belgium 32 1975 New Brother 33 1975 Visit the Dentist 34 1975 Visit the Doctors 35 1976 At the Wedding 36 1976 New School 37 1976 Pet Show 38 1976 Visit the Tower of London 39 1977 At the Circus 40 1977 Go Camping 41 1977 Go Shopping 42 1977 Monday Book (version 2) 43 1977 Tuesday Book (version 2) 44 1977 Wednesday Book (version 2) 45 1977 Thursday Book (version 2) 46 1977 Friday Book (version 2) 47 1977 Saturday Book (version 2) 48 1977 Sunday Book (version 2) 49 1977 Sports Day 50 1977 Through The Year 51 1978 At the Fairground 52 1978 At the Library 53 1978 At the Vet 54 1978 Choose a Puppy 55 1978 Meet the Monsters 56 1978 Picnic 57 1978 School Outing 58 1978 Train Journey 59 1979 At the Fire Station 60 1979 At the Jumble Sale 61 1979 At the Pantomime 62 1979 Caravan Holiday 63 1979 Go in an Aeroplane 64 1979 Have a Barbecue 65 1979 Move House 66 1979 At the Hairdresser 67 1980 Can Print in Colour 68 1980 Can Sing and Play 69 1980 Can Garden 70 1981 Can Cook 71 1981 Learn to Swim (version 2) 72 1981 Can Look After Pets 73 1982 ABC 74 1982 Can Make Music 75 1982 Counting Book 76 1982 Go Safely 77 1982 Have Their Eyes Tested 78 1982 Help the Dustmen 79 1982 New Playground 80 1982 School Play 81 1982 Can Play Party Games 82 1983 Chocolate Cook Book 83 1983 In the Kitchen 84 1983 Pets 85 1983 Big Fun Book 86 1983 Games Book 87 1983 Go On Holiday 88 1983 Go riding 89 1983 Music Book 90 1984 At the Football Match (version 2) 91 1984 Playing Rhymes 92 1984 Tell the Time 93 1984 Visit the Police Station 94 1984 Word Book 95 1985 At the Bank 96 1985 Farm Day (Shape Book) 97 1985 Motorway Games 98 1985 On the Move (Shape Book) 99 1985 Ride Their Bikes 100 1985 And the Babysitter 101 1985 At the Supermarket 102 1985 In the Gym 103 1986 At the Post Office 104 1986 At the Safari Park 105 1986 Coach Journey 106 1986 Learn to Horse Ride 107 1986 New Shoes 108 1986 Monday Book (version 3) 109 1986 Tuesday Book (version 3) 110 1986 Wednesday Book (version 3) 111 1986 Thursday Book (version 3) 112 1986 Friday Book (version 3) 113 1986 Saturday Book (version 3) 114 1986 Sunday Book (version 3) 115 1986 Can Help Birds 116 1987 At the Biscuit Factory 117 1987 At the Farmyard 118 1987 At the TV Studio 119 1987 Stay with a Friend 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
Second Generation: 1990–2007 The second generation of Topsy and Tim books, with illustrations drafted by Jean Adamson and coloured by professional artists.
# Date Title 1 1990 At the Supermarket (Version 2) 2 1992 At the Wedding (Version 2) 3 1992 Go in an Aeroplane (Version 2) 4 1992 Go on a Train (Version 2) 5 1992 Go to School 6 1992 Have Horse Riding Lessons 7 1992 Meet the Babysitter 8 1992 Ride Their Bikes (Version 2) 9 1992 Small Pets (Version 2) 10 1992 Stay with a Friend (Version 2) 11 1993 At Granny and Grandpa's 12 1993 Go Camping (Version 2) 13 1993 At the School Fair 14 1995 At the Gym Club 15 1995 First French Words - Premiers Mots Anglais 16 1995 Meet the Dinosaurs (Version 2) 17 1996 And the Bully 18 1996 and The New Baby 19 1996 And the New Puppy (Version 2) 20 1996 Go to the Park 21 1996 Meet the Ambulance Crew 22 1996 Meet the Dentist (Version 2) 23 1996 Can Help Birds 24 1997 and their New School Friend 25 1997 Go in an Aeroplane (Version 3) 26 1997 Go On Holiday (Version 3) 27 1997 Have Their Eyes Tested (Version 2) 28 1998 Go on a Train (Version 3) 29 1998 Start School (Version 2) 30 1999 A Special Visit 31 1999 And The New Baby (Version 2) 32 1999 At the Farm (Version 3) 33 1999 Buckets and Spades 34 1999 Can Look After Their Pets (Version 3) 35 1999 First School Stories 36 1999 Go to Hospital (Version 2) 37 1999 Go to the Dentist (Version 3) 38 1999 Go to the Doctor (Version 2) 39 1999 Go to the Park (Version 2) 40 1999 Go to the Zoo (Version 2) 41 1999 Growing Up Stories 42 1999 Have a Birthday Party 43 1999 Learn to Swim (Version 3) 44 1999 Little Lost Rabbit (Version 1) 45 1999 Little Shoppers (Version 3) 46 1999 Meet the Ambulance Crew (Version 1) 47 1999 Meet the Police 48 1999 Old Shoes New Shoes (Version 2) 49 1999 Red Boots Yellow Boots 50 1999 The Big Surprise 51 2000 Word Book 52 2000 Go Out and About - 53 2001 Learn ABC (Version 2) 54 2001 Learn About Time (Version 2) 55 2001 Learn Opposites 56 2001 Learn to Count (Version 2) 57 2003 At the Farm (Version 4) 58 2003 Go to the Dentist (Version 4) 59 2003 Go to the Doctor (Version 3) 60 2003 Go to the Park (Version 3) 61 2003 Go to the Zoo (Version 3) 62 2003 Learn to Swim (Version 4) 63 2003 Look After Their Pets (Version 4) 64 2003 Meet the Firefighters (Version 2) 65 2003 Meet the Police (Version 3) 66 2003 Start School (Version 3) 67 2003 The New Baby (Version 3) 68 2004 Busy Builders 69 2004 Little Lost Rabbit (Version 2) 70 2004 Red Boots Yellow Boots (Version 2) 71 2004 The Big Surprise (Version 2) 72 2005 Have Itchy Heads 73 2005 Help a Friend 74 2005 Little ABC Library - 75 2006 Have Chickenpox 76 2006 New Lunchboxes 77 2007 Go Camping (Version 3) 78 2007 Go on a Train (Version 3)
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.
# Date Title 1 2009 Go on an Aeroplane (version 4) 2 2009 Go to the Zoo (version 4) 3 2009 Have a Birthday Party 4 2009 Learn to Swim (version 5) 5 2009 Little ABC Library (version 4) 6 2009 Start School (version 4) 7 2009 The New Baby (version 4) 8 2010 At the Farm (version 5) 9 2010 Go Camping (version 4) 10 2010 Go on a Train (version 5) 11 2010 Go to Hospital (version 3) 12 2010 Go to the Dentist 13 2010 Go to the Doctor 14 2010 Play Football (version 3) 15 2011 First Numbers 16 2011 First Writing 17 2011 Have Itchy Heads (version 2) 18 2011 Meet the Firefighters (version 3) 19 2011 Meet the Police (version 4) 20 2011 Safety First 21 2012 Visit London 22 2013 Meet Father Christmas 23 2013 The Big Race 24 2014 Go For Gold / Sports Day 25 2015 First Numbers Sticker Counting Book 26 2015 First Words 27 2015 Help a Friend (version 2) 28 2016 Our Day Clock (version 3) 29 2017 Go on Holiday (version 3) 30 2017 Have Their Eyes Tested (version 3) 31 2019 Halloween Party
Republished: 2020–Ongoing Republications of the original Topsy and Tim books, bringing back the classic gouache illustrations by Jean Adamson.
# Date Title 1 2020 On the Farm 60th Anniversary Edition
References
External links
Topsy and Tim page on Cbeebies website Penguin Books: Jean Adamson