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Topsy and Tim

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Not to be confused with Rosie and Jim.

Topsy and Tim (and Friends) 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 in 1960 and were relaunched in new editions in February 2003.[1]

Since 1960 more than 130 Topsy and Tim (and Friends) titles have been published with sales of more than 21 million.

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 or in a whole wide new entire world?”[2]

Television series

The books have been adapted for television three times.

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/Nickelodeon/4Kids

In 2013-Present a 13-minute live-action series was made for CBeebies, Nickelodeon and 4Kids, with 3 series produced and 74 episodes made. Further details can be seen here: List of Topsy and Tim episodes. No further episodes, but future reboot episodes are planned for production as of 2024. The series was produced by Darrall Macqueen and distributed globally by WildBrain. Series 1 and 2 was filmed from March 2013 to October 2013, the Christmas Special was filmed in December 2013 and Series 3 was filmed from June 2015 to August 2015. Before Topsy And Tim Got A Reboot Coming In 2024, There Was A Special Series Called “Zion And Destiny’s Scrapbook Adventure”, which is the 3-episode story arc that aired during season three.

Characters

Cast list of Topsy and Tim
Actor Character
1 2 3
Jocelyn MacNab Topsy Main
Joshua Lester Timothy "Tim" Main
Anna Acton Joy Main
Chris Hannon Brian Main
Suzy Aitchison Grandma Main
Natahlia Colbourne Kerry Recurring
Tom Hibberd Tony Recurring
Nicole Davis Dominique Recurring
Iain Campbell Carson Recurring Guest
Emily Butterfield Elaine Recurring Guest
Barry McCarthy Mr Fishwick Recurring —
Kayleigh Burke Vinda Recurring
Natalya Hibberd Josie — Recurring
Jon Rummey Mr. Rosen Recurring
Tim Hibberd Mr. Fen — Recurring Guest
Joshua Levin Stephen "Stevie" Dunton — Recurring
Kemaal Deen-Ellis Rai Recurring Guest —
Tom Price Paul — Recurring
Bobby Smalldridge Andrew — Recurring
Emma Kershaw Dr. Walton — Recurring
India Brown Molly — Recurring
Eva Alexander Miss Terry — Recurring —
June Whitfield Mrs Higley-Pigley — Guest —
James Wooldridge Mr. Morris — Recurring
Glen Davies DIY Derek Recurring Guest Recurring
Jake Unsworth Kevin — Guest —


List of books

References

  1. ^ Rigby, Nic (22 January 2003). "Relaunch for Topsy and Tim and Friends". BBC News.
  2. ^ a b Pauli, Michelle; Nylind, Linda; Wyse, Pascal (2 November 2010). "Jean Adamson: Living with Topsy and Tim". The Guardian.
  3. ^ "Topsy and Tim: New Lunchboxes : Jean Adamson : 9781846461415".
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