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Original Bobbsey Twins #47

The Bobbsey Twins At Big Bear Pond

The Bobbsey twins at Big Bear Pond (Her The Bobbsey twins books)

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

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About the author

Laura Lee Hope

630 books81 followers
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.

--from Wikipedia

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5 stars
23 (28%)
4 stars
25 (30%)
3 stars
25 (30%)
2 stars
8 (9%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for Laura Edwards.
1,234 reviews15 followers
August 3, 2020
I guess the title provides a big enough hint. "At Big Bear Pond" marks the FOURTH time the Bobbsey Twins have come across trick bears. Sheesh.

One has to wonder about Mr. Tetlow's suitability as a principal (the reason I took a star off the rating). Not only does he allow a student to bring a whip to school, he does nothing when said student uses the whip not only on a bear, but on a fellow student. (Note: Danny was punished for fighting with Bert, not because of the whip.) Even if boys used whips as toys in the 1950s, I can't believe they were allowed to use them on school grounds.

Wow. Poor Freddie had a pretty serious mishap. And, for once, through no fault of his own.

The ending was good as it was fun to see Dinah save the day.
286 reviews
November 15, 2025
Better writing than many in the series, but this apparent (and irresponsible) fixation on trained/tame bears! "Mystery at Meadowbrook," "County Fair," "Rainbow Valley,' and now this one! No, the typical encounter with a bear is not likely to end in a lifelong friendship and dancing --
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews