Laura Lee Hope is a pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for the Bobbsey Twins and several other series of children's novels. Actual writers taking up the pen of Laura Lee Hope include Edward Stratemeyer, Howard and Lilian Garis, Elizabeth Ward, Harriet (Stratemeyer) Adams, Andrew E. Svenson, June M. Dunn, Grace Grote and Nancy Axelrad.
Laura Lee Hope was first used in 1904 for the debut of the Bobbsey Twins, the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels. Other series written under this pseudonym include: The Outdoor Girls (23 vols. 1913-1933), The Moving Picture Girls (7 vols. 1914-1916), Bunny Brown (20 vols. 1916-1931), Six Little Bunkers (14 vols. 1918-1930), Make Believe Stories (12 vols. c. 1920-1923), and Blythe Girls (12 vols. 1925-1932).
The first of the 72 books of the Bobbsey Twins series was published in 1904, the last in 1979. The books related the adventures of the children of the middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of mixed-gender fraternal twins: Bert and Nan, who were 12 years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six.
Edward Stratemeyer himself is believed to have written the first volume in its original form in 1904. When the original series was brought to its conclusion in 1979, it had reached a total of 72 volumes. At least two abortive attempts to restart the series were launched after this, but in neither effort was the popularity of the original series achieved.
Speculation that Stratemeyer also wrote the second and third volumes of the series is believed to be incorrect; these books are now attributed to Lilian Garis, wife of Howard Garis, who is credited with volumes 4–28 and 41. Elizabeth Ward is credited with volumes 29–35, while Harriet Stratemeyer Adams is credited with 36–38, 39 (with Camilla McClave), 40, 42, 43 (with Andrew Svenson), and 44–48. Volumes 49–52 are attributed to Andrew Svenson, while 53–59, and the 1960s rewrites of 1–4, 7, 11–13, and 17, are attributed to June Dunn. Grace Grote is regarded as the real author of 60–67 and the rewrites of 14 and 18–20, and Nancy Axelrad is credited with 68–72. Of the 1960s rewrites not already mentioned, volumes 5 and 16 are credited to Mary Donahoe, 6 and 25 to Patricia Doll, 8–10 and 15 to Bonnibel Weston, and 24 to Margery Howard.
Terribly outdated. I loved these books as a child so was shocked that by the end of the second page, the black maid (Dinah!) was told by the small boy to get his sister a glass of water. My wish to share books that I read as a child with my granddaughter flew out of the window. The joy was gone and I don't recommend these books for children.
Fun adventure that kids will love. Treasure maps, pirate costumes and searching for hidden treasure. I remember this book was the first time I had heard about Spanish galleons and I was fascinated. I learned many interesting facts as a kid while reading the Bobbsey Twins books. And what kid doesn't love a scar-faced villain?
One does begin to wonder why Mrs. Bobbsey lets the younger set of twins leave the house! Inevitably, one or both of them lose their way.
In this story, the Bobbsey family returns from a visit to their uncle's farm. On the train, they meet Tommy Todd, one of the "fresh air" children from the city's poor. A charity organization takes these children to the country for some fresh air (hence the name). Of course, the Bobbseys befriend Tommy and their family goes about helping him and the grandmother with whom he lives.
Of course, Freddie and Flossie (the younger Bobbseys) get into scrapes of all sorts ... but everything sorts out happily in the end.
While "Merry Days Indoors and Out" (the first Bobbsey book) is a much-beloved childhood favorite, I did not care so much for this story. My overall rating for it is 3.5 stars.
This is the original, early 20th C. manuscript; some adjustments for social mores is necessary for the reader.
I read every Bobbsey Twins adventures I could get my hands on from the age of 9 through 11. Summers were wonderful and I could borrow from the library and read these books. I could borrow 8 books every 2 weeks. Soon, I needed more than that and had to fight the librarian for more books. Now, I can do 8 books in a day.
I spent a week or more at my Grandparents during the summer. They had all the Bobbsey Twin books and many Nancy Drew books. So I would lay in my Grandmother's garden and read. I remember enjoy all of the adventure of the Bobbsey Twins.
Growing up in the '50's, I owned and read the first 40 of the Bobbsey Twins. These are the books that first hooked me on reading. These old editions are terribly racist, but there are new ones that have eliminated that problem. But for this reason, I am not rating the series.
Ho-hum. As I child I had "The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat", so when I saw this title recently, I picked it up. Apparently it's a 2004 reprint of the 1960 version, but the typeface used seems a bit blurry, (except on pages 8-9, 16-17, and 34-35) as if it were merely photocopied. It's number 8 in the series. I seem to have a memory of the "Twins at the Seashore" so I've probably read that in the past.
I'm not surprised at how dated it is, things were much different, when I was a child in the 60s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobbsey... "The Bobbsey Twins are the principal characters of what was, for many years,[quantify] the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of American children's novels, penned under the pseudonym Laura Lee Hope. The first of 72 books was published in 1904, the last in 1979, with a separate series of 30 books published from 1987 through 1992. The books related the adventures of the children of the upper-middle-class Bobbsey family, which included two sets of fraternal twins: Nan and Bert, who were twelve years old, and Flossie and Freddie, who were six."
Hope Chests #8 Bobbsey Twins #8 Bobbsey Twins do their things and have minor adventures, less casual racism this time, or I desensitised to it, and less discussion of young Freddie being fat. Pretty forgettable fare, but passable Entertainment I guess.
Probably my favorite so far! Felt like an authentic mystery and detective work. In the end he certainly is giving me all the feels. Overall a light, clean, children’s story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another very good Bobbsey Twins book. This one, at home, centers around a young boy the Bobbsey's met on the train home from Meadow Brook, Tommy Todd. Tommy is a Fresh Air boy that has been in the country for a time to get him out of the hot city and into a place where he can run, be in the fresh air, get good meals for part of the summer. His mother died when he was very young, and soon after that his father left for sea. He stays with his grandmother in a bad part of the same town the Bobbsey's live in. Will the Bobbsey's be able to help Tommy? How much can they help him?
“I must keep an eye on that boy,” he said. “I think he will make a good man. I'll help him all I can. He is so anxious to run errands and do work about the lumber yard to earn money.” pg 108
What mischief will the Bobbsey's get into this fall and winter?? What kinds of adventures and fun will they have??? You will have to read the book to find out more.
This book was the best Bobbsey Twins yet! Why? Tommy Todd for one. He was such a sweet boy, working so hard to take care of his Grandmother. The writing in this book also seemed to go up in quality by a notch. I am very eager for the next story.