Topsy and Tim

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:

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.

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
43	1977	Tuesday Book
44	1977	Wednesday Book
45	1977	Thursday Book
46	1977	Friday Book
47	1977	Saturday Book
48	1977	Sunday Book
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
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
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
97	1985	Motorway Games
98	1985	On the Move
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
109	1986	Tuesday Book
110	1986	Wednesday Book
111	1986	Thursday Book
112	1986	Friday Book
113	1986	Saturday Book
114	1986	Sunday Book
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
2	1992	At the Wedding
3	1992	Go in an Aeroplane
4	1992	Go on a Train
5	1992	Go to School
6	1992	Have Horse Riding Lessons
7	1992	Meet the Babysitter
8	1992	Ride Their Bikes
9	1992	Small Pets
10	1992	Stay with a Friend
11	1993	At Granny and Grandpa's
12	1993	Go Camping
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
17	1996	And the Bully
18	1996	and The New Baby
19	1996	And the New Puppy
20	1996	Go to the Park
21	1996	Meet the Ambulance Crew
22	1996	Meet the Dentist
23	1996	Can Help Birds
24	1997	and their New School Friend
25	1997	Go in an Aeroplane
26	1997	Go On Holiday
27	1997	Have Their Eyes Tested
28	1998	Go on a Train
29	1998	Start School
30	1999	A Special Visit
31	1999	And The New Baby
32	1999	At the Farm
33	1999	Buckets and Spades
34	1999	Can Look After Their Pets
35	1999	First School Stories
36	1999	Go to Hospital
37	1999	Go to the Dentist
38	1999	Go to the Doctor
39	1999	Go to the Park
40	1999	Go to the Zoo
41	1999	Growing Up Stories
42	1999	Have a Birthday Party
43	1999	Learn to Swim
44	1999	Little Lost Rabbit
45	1999	Little Shoppers
46	1999	Meet the Ambulance Crew
47	1999	Meet the Police
48	1999	Old Shoes New Shoes
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
54	2001	Learn About Time
55	2001	Learn Opposites
56	2001	Learn to Count
57	2003	At the Farm
58	2003	Go to the Dentist
59	2003	Go to the Doctor
60	2003	Go to the Park
61	2003	Go to the Zoo
62	2003	Learn to Swim
63	2003	Look After Their Pets
64	2003	Meet the Firefighters
65	2003	Meet the Police
66	2003	Start School
67	2003	The New Baby
68	2004	Busy Builders
69	2004	Little Lost Rabbit
70	2004	Red Boots Yellow Boots
71	2004	The Big Surprise
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
78	2007	Go on a Train

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
2	2009	Go to the Zoo
3	2009	Have a Birthday Party
4	2009	Learn to Swim
5	2009	Little ABC Library
6	2009	Start School
7	2009	The New Baby
8	2010	At the Farm
9	2010	Go Camping
10	2010	Go on a Train
11	2010	Go to Hospital
12	2010	Go to the Dentist
13	2010	Go to the Doctor
14	2010	Play Football
15	2011	First Numbers
16	2011	First Writing
17	2011	Have Itchy Heads
18	2011	Meet the Firefighters
19	2011	Meet the Police
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
28	2016	Our Day Clock
29	2017	Go on Holiday
30	2017	Have Their Eyes Tested
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