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Children's reading lists

Books to help grow confident and independent children

An image of a selection of books about friendship on a light purple backgrounf with a Ladybird font patter.

Article-Card-Ladybird-Friendship-Books

12 books about friendship for little kids

Topsy and Tim: Meet Father Christmas

Topsy and Tim get ready for Christmas in this delightful festive story! 
 
Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. It's Christmas and the family are off to the garden centre to choose a Christmas tree, and while they are there the twins meet a very special person. Inside Santa's Grotto is non-other than Father Christmas himself! With the promise that Topsy and Tim have been good all year, he gives them both a present to take home! 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jean Adamson was the creator of more than 100 much-loved children's books spanning five decades. 
She studied Illustration at Goldsmiths where she met her future husband and writing partner Gareth Adamson (1925-1982). They worked on children's books together, with Gareth producing the storylines and Jean the illustration, including Topsy and Tim. 
More than 140 Topsy and Tim titles have been published, selling upwards of 21 million copies around the world. Since 1998, over a million copies have been sold in the UK alone. Sixty episodes of an animated TV series followed, and three seasons of a live-action version have broadcast on CBeebies, which won the BAFTA Pre-school Live Action award in 2016. 
In 1999 Jean Adamson was awarded an MBE for her services to children's literature.

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. It's Christmas and the family are off to the garden centre to choose a Christmas tree, and while they are there the twins meet a very special person. Inside Santa's Grotto is non-other than Father Christmas himself! With the promise that Topsy and Tim have been good all year, he gives them both a present to take home! 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim: Go to the Doctor

Visit the doctor with everybody's favourite twins! A reassuring, colourful story book from the ever popular Topsy and Tim series. 
 
Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Going to the doctor for the first time can be daunting but Topsy and Tim soon realise there is nothing to fear. When Tim wakes up with a sore throat, Mummy decides he needs to go to the doctor. Dr Sims looks in his mouth, listens to his chest and soon knows what's wrong. Tim goes home with a bottle of medicine to make him feel better. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Going to the doctor for the first time can be daunting but Topsy and Tim soon realise there is nothing to fear. When Tim wakes up with a sore throat, Mummy decides he needs to go to the doctor. Dr Sims looks in his mouth, listens to his chest and soon knows what's wrong. Tim goes home with a bottle of medicine to make him feel better. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim: Learn to Swim

Learn to swim with everybody's favourite twins! A fantastic, colourful story book from the ever popular Topsy and Tim series. 
 
Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Going to the swimming pool for the first time can be daunting but Topsy and Tim are having fun! Follow the twins on their adventures as they have lessons, learn to swim without their armbands and take part in a swimming competition. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jean Adamson was the creator of more than 100 much-loved children's books spanning five decades. 
She studied Illustration at Goldsmiths where she met her future husband and writing partner Gareth Adamson (1925-1982). They worked on children's books together, with Gareth producing the storylines and Jean the illustration, including Topsy and Tim. 
More than 140 Topsy and Tim titles have been published, selling upwards of 21 million copies around the world. Since 1998, over a million copies have been sold in the UK alone. Sixty episodes of an animated TV series followed, and three seasons of a live-action version have broadcast on CBeebies, which won the BAFTA Pre-school Live Action award in 2016. 
In 1999 Jean Adamson was awarded an MBE for her services to children's literature.

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Going to the swimming pool for the first time can be daunting but Topsy and Tim are having fun! Follow the twins on their adventures as they have lessons, learn to swim without their armbands and take part in a swimming competition. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim: Go to the Zoo

Have fun at the zoo with everybody's favourite twins! A fantastic, colourful story book from the ever-popular Topsy and Tim series. 
 
Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Today, Topsy and Tim are going to the Zoo! Join in the fun as they visit the penguins, lions, giraffes and more! 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Today, Topsy and Tim are going to the Zoo! Join in the fun as they visit the penguins, lions, giraffes and more! 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim: Start School

Topsy and Tim are starting school!Follow Topsy and Tim through their first day at school. Topsy and Tim are taught about the school bell and where to hang their coats and school bag. They learn all about the school canteen, lessons and - of course - the playground!Packed with playful illustrations and a clear guide to the school day, this story is perfect for all new school starters. With a map of Topsy and Tim&rsquo;s village, the story also highlights their route to school, preparing children for the daily journey.Addressing children&rsquo;s questions with warmth and clarity, Topsy and Tim: Start School is a gentle story designed to spark conversations about starting school and what to expect.

We loved this one as it had just the right tone...

Will help the little ones over those first day nerves

Topsy and Tim are starting school! 
 
Follow Topsy and Tim through their first day at school. Topsy and Tim are taught about the school bell and where to hang their coats and school bag. They learn all about the school canteen, lessons and - of course - the playground! 
 
Packed with playful illustrations and a clear guide to the school day, this story is perfect for nervous children. With a map of Topsy and Tim&rsquo;s village, the story also highlights their route to school, preparing children for the daily journey. 
 
Addressing children&rsquo;s questions with warmth and clarity, Topsy and Tim: Start School is a gentle story designed to start conversations about school-starting worries.

Topsy and Tim: Have a Birthday Party

It's Birthday time for the twins in this colourful story book from the ever-popular Topsy and Tim series. 
 
Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. It's Topsy and Tim's birthday and that means a party! Follow their adventures as they hang the decorations, open their presents and share the fun with all their friends. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. It's Topsy and Tim's birthday and that means a party! Follow their adventures as they hang the decorations, open their presents and share the fun with all their friends. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jean Adamson

Belinda Worsley

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Join Topsy and Tim on their first plane ride, learn all about the airport and meet the flight attendants and pilot who work on the plane. The perfect book for going on holiday, to help prepare little ones who have never flown before. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jean Adamson

Books by Jean Adamson

Series by Jean Adamson

Topsy and Tim

Articles featuring Jean Adamson

Books to help grow confident and independent children

12 books about friendship for little kids

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