Busy Timmy

by Kathryn Jackson, Byron Jackson, Eloise Wilkin (Illustrator)

Depicts the things preschooler Timmy does by himself all day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

24 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1982

About the author

Kathryn Jackson wrote hundreds of lively, witty stories for Golden Books, most of which were coauthored with her husband, Byron. The Saggy Baggy Elephant is one of the pair’s most famous titles. Golden Books that Kathryn Jackson wrote on her own include Tawny Scrawny Lion, Nurse Nancy, Pantaloon, Richard Scarry’s The Animals’ Merry Christmas, and Richard Scarry’s A Story a Day: 365 Stories and Rhymes.

Reviews

[Anastasia Kallah]

Timmy is a big boy. He can get dressed, all by himself. Timmy can find his shovel and big pail, all by himself, and he can go down the steps all by himself.

This wonderful, classic Little Golden Book was originally published in 1948. Busy Timmy, written by Kathryn Jackson, is filled with the lavishly beautiful illustrations by Eloise Wilkin.

With repetitive phrases that children will enjoy in the easy familiarity that comes with being able to predict the text, little ones will identify with Timmy, who is big enough to ready himself for his day's play, eat dinner, undress and bathe, and finally jammie up before climbing into bed.

Charming woodland baby animals grace each page, and at the end of the book, the babies' mommies nestle their own young into bed, reminding them to hush, because Timmy has gone to sleep.

Busy Timmy was in my top three favorite books from my childhood, and it remains there today.

[Victoria]

"Why doesn't he have a baby or a mommy OR a daddy?"
"What??"
"Where is his family? Why is Timmy all alone?"

Thanks, Ian. I'll never read this book the same way again.

[Tym]

Cute little story that’s excellent for reading to a little one before a nap or bedtime, especially when they’re just starting their “I’m a big boy/girl!” phase

[Robert Beveridge]

Kathryn Jackson, Busy Timmy (Golden Press, 1948)

My wife tells me that Busy Timmy was my brother-in-law's favorite book when he was a toddler. I'd never heard of it before we inherited a huge load of my wife's family's pre-lit books, but she pulled this one out specifically, and I read it to the Bean. It's a very simplistic take on “I can do it all by myself”, and I didn't think he was going to be all that taken with it, but he asked for it again right after we were finished, and then the next night as well, something that is increasingly rare these days. The rhythm has a fine lulling quality to it, and popping a few animals into the story is never a bad idea; quite likable, and the Bean agrees. Another generation shows its love for Busy Timmy. *** ½

[Amy Denim]

This is the first book I remember actually being able to read. I remember the day it all clicked and I thought, huh, I can read this.

[Valerie]

This is one of my top favorite Little Golden Books from my childhood. My mom says she got it when I was home sick one day. I adore Timmy and all the things that he does throughout his day!! The classic illustrations of Eloise Wilkin help bring this toddler to life. I had to get a new copy as an adult as I'd worn the cover off (which isn't that easy with a Little Golden Book). I still love reading this from time to time, even at 48.

If you ever come across it, grab it up and enjoy!

[Jennifer]

“No one has to help him. He’s a big boy now…You are big, too. Timmy does a lot of things. So can you!” This timeless treasure conveys the American Dream ethos that anyone can achieve prosperity, success, and upward mobility through hard work and independence.

[Jacquie]

Fun classic

[Margaret Chind]

Cute. This one would be a good easy reader when trying to encourage AppleBlossom to read on her own. I do enjoy Eloise Wilkin's illustrations. Great from a Eloise Wilkins Treasury.

[Siskiyou-Suzy]

Busy Timmy. Even though I'm for independence in toddlers, I thought that this child taking a bath by himself seemed odd. This kid looks like he's three at the most. Should he really be bathing by himself? Another review made me think about this as a sort of awful horror story about a little boy forced to truly take care of himself, which made the whole thing kinda darkly funny.

[Annie Cat]

I have this book at home from when I was a baby. It's weird that the story is about this four year old who cooks himself food and takes baths by himself. I always used to wonder if he got lonely.

[Rebecca]

My children enjoy this book. They like to say, I can do that . . . I am big too.

I enjoy the illustrations and the storyline. I do miss some pictures of parental figures though.

[Mckinley]

Things a little boy does in the course of his day.
(Part of Eloise Wilkin Stories collection.)

[Alistair Parker]

a kid in a book

a kid in book

[Janice]

I have a son name Timothy, this was one of his favorite. He is over 40 now.