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Mr. Men #9
Mr. Topsy-Turvy
He's one wacky guy! He sees things a little differently from everyone else-backwards!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
5 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Roger Hargreaves
1,324 books367 followersRoger Hargreaves was a British cartoonist, illustrator and writer of children's books. He created the Mr. Men series, Little Miss series and Timbuctoo series, intended for young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with bold, brightly coloured illustrations, have sales of more than 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 7, 2016
A Stranger Comes to Town
2 September 2016 - English Channel
Well, I'm currently sitting on the Eurostar about 75 meters under the English channel, and since I am waiting for my computer to copy some files over I thought it might be a good time to read another Mr Men book. Actually, I thought that I had already read all of the Mr Men books that I have brought with me but when I was sorting through my luggage last night I found another one, which was quite fortuitous because it meant that I could read something and write a review while I am travelling to London. Even better, it turns out that even second class on the Eurostar has plugs for your laptop, and they even have free wifi on board – though like most free wifi connections I have encountered it is pretty slow (or it could just be my computer, it is over five years old now, though I really can't be bothered getting a new one).
Anyway, this little book is about how a strange man comes to town and leaves a bit of an impact. The thing with Mr Topsy Turvey is that he doesn't do things the way that many of us do things, and while at first he seems to infuriate people, he eventually has an effect upon them and when he mysteriously vanishes everybody discovers that they are now doing things a little topsy turvey.
At first I thought that this book was a subtle (or not so subtle) dig at those of us who do things differently and trying to force us into a certain mould. However, upon reaching the end of the book I suddenly discovered that this is not actually the case. Mind you there are probably some things that Mr Topsy Turvey does that we shouldn't imitate, such as getting off the wrong side of a train (if that is possible since these days we have automatic doors, and even those doors that aren't automatic won't open no matter how hard with try – unless of course we happen to have a key).
However there are other things that we might do a little differently – such as sport, or parades. There seems to be this attitude in our society that we must all be interested in the same things, and if we are not interested in such things then there is something wrong with us. This was particularly the case at school where we would all be encouraged to play sport, and the people that did really well at sport tended to be the school heroes. It seems as if this development of a cult of personality around our sporting heroes certainly occurred at a young age, though it tended to have more to do with our peers as opposed to our teachers.
What if we don't like sport, or what if our heroes are a little different – say a scientist, or an science-fiction author. When I was younger we were considered to be a little strange – topsy-turvey if you will – however I have grown up I have seen how these dorky little hobbies that I had when I was a kid have started to move into the mainstream. In fact no matter where I wandered as I was travelling across Europe there always seemed to be a Warhammer store not to far away (not that I actually play Warhammer, but that is beside the point). Mind you, we may still be considered a little different, but like the effect that Mr Topsy-Turvey had on the town, our eccentricities have started to have an effect upon our culture as a whole (and even in some places, such as South Korea, their sporting heroes happen to be those who are really good at computer games).
2 September 2016 - English Channel
Well, I'm currently sitting on the Eurostar about 75 meters under the English channel, and since I am waiting for my computer to copy some files over I thought it might be a good time to read another Mr Men book. Actually, I thought that I had already read all of the Mr Men books that I have brought with me but when I was sorting through my luggage last night I found another one, which was quite fortuitous because it meant that I could read something and write a review while I am travelling to London. Even better, it turns out that even second class on the Eurostar has plugs for your laptop, and they even have free wifi on board – though like most free wifi connections I have encountered it is pretty slow (or it could just be my computer, it is over five years old now, though I really can't be bothered getting a new one).
Anyway, this little book is about how a strange man comes to town and leaves a bit of an impact. The thing with Mr Topsy Turvey is that he doesn't do things the way that many of us do things, and while at first he seems to infuriate people, he eventually has an effect upon them and when he mysteriously vanishes everybody discovers that they are now doing things a little topsy turvey.
At first I thought that this book was a subtle (or not so subtle) dig at those of us who do things differently and trying to force us into a certain mould. However, upon reaching the end of the book I suddenly discovered that this is not actually the case. Mind you there are probably some things that Mr Topsy Turvey does that we shouldn't imitate, such as getting off the wrong side of a train (if that is possible since these days we have automatic doors, and even those doors that aren't automatic won't open no matter how hard with try – unless of course we happen to have a key).
However there are other things that we might do a little differently – such as sport, or parades. There seems to be this attitude in our society that we must all be interested in the same things, and if we are not interested in such things then there is something wrong with us. This was particularly the case at school where we would all be encouraged to play sport, and the people that did really well at sport tended to be the school heroes. It seems as if this development of a cult of personality around our sporting heroes certainly occurred at a young age, though it tended to have more to do with our peers as opposed to our teachers.
What if we don't like sport, or what if our heroes are a little different – say a scientist, or an science-fiction author. When I was younger we were considered to be a little strange – topsy-turvey if you will – however I have grown up I have seen how these dorky little hobbies that I had when I was a kid have started to move into the mainstream. In fact no matter where I wandered as I was travelling across Europe there always seemed to be a Warhammer store not to far away (not that I actually play Warhammer, but that is beside the point). Mind you, we may still be considered a little different, but like the effect that Mr Topsy-Turvey had on the town, our eccentricities have started to have an effect upon our culture as a whole (and even in some places, such as South Korea, their sporting heroes happen to be those who are really good at computer games).
September 8, 2021
Mr. Topsy Turvy's unconventional approach makes him a unique and charming character in the series.
From reading a book back to front or attempt at clothes shopping certainly makes him different.
It's so infectious too, as those that come in contact with him soon find themselves speaking Topsy Turvy.
A book such fun!
From reading a book back to front or attempt at clothes shopping certainly makes him different.
It's so infectious too, as those that come in contact with him soon find themselves speaking Topsy Turvy.
A book such fun!
May 28, 2018
Everything is so upside down and back to front for Mr. Topsy-Turvy that even is words come out backwards. It is so powerful that the people around him begin saying things backwards as well. Mr Topsy comes to the real world.
Cute book and I like Mr. Topsy-Turvy who makes you examine the norms around you. My nephew is a fan as well. He gives him 5 stars.
Cute book and I like Mr. Topsy-Turvy who makes you examine the norms around you. My nephew is a fan as well. He gives him 5 stars.
June 28, 2021
Mr. Topsy-Turvy (who, I'm assuming is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Topsy and Mr. and Mrs. Turvy) is a bit of an odd duck. He does everything back to front and upside down. He's something of a man of mystery, too, coming from a deliberately undisclosed location. His visit to 'our town' (it would seem the location of his visit is different depending on who the reader is; is Mr. Topsy-Turvy perhaps some kind meta-being who exists simultaneously across multiple alternate universes?) causes untold mayhem... and then he simply disappears.
Is this book actually a warning of an invasion of Mr. Topsy-Turvy's multidimensional alien race? Can we afford to take the risk that it isn't? Protect yourselves and your loved ones, people! The Topsy-Turvy people are coming! THEY'RE COMING, I TELL YOU!!!
My next book: Milton: a Poem
Is this book actually a warning of an invasion of Mr. Topsy-Turvy's multidimensional alien race? Can we afford to take the risk that it isn't? Protect yourselves and your loved ones, people! The Topsy-Turvy people are coming! THEY'RE COMING, I TELL YOU!!!
My next book: Milton: a Poem
December 19, 2022
We love the Mr Men books, and this is a particular favourite for my niece because of how Mr Topsy Turvy mixes up words in his sentences. These books never get old in our house!
February 12, 2024
comme vous pouvez le constater j ai repris le babysitting
April 13, 2017
My 6 year old niece says Mr. Topsy-Turvy reads upside down and causes lots of trouble. Daisy tried to read the book upside down herself, which made for some extra entertainment.
December 7, 2025
l invention du verlan vient donc d ici
November 16, 2020
Morning Good!!
This book is so funny, especially reading it out-loud! Reading what Mr. Topsy-Turvy says cracks me up!
Definitely a good book to read to cheer yourself up! :D
This book is so funny, especially reading it out-loud! Reading what Mr. Topsy-Turvy says cracks me up!
Definitely a good book to read to cheer yourself up! :D
June 11, 2015
He has a contagious condition and effects and entire town, The town where you and I live. the way we speak sounds normal to us but it topsy-turvy to all others and we are spreading it to them.
It's a horrible epidemic. Read this to your children, let them be aware for the damage they could cause if they interact with a non-infected.
It's a horrible epidemic. Read this to your children, let them be aware for the damage they could cause if they interact with a non-infected.
September 28, 2015
Ah, Mr Men and Little Miss, how wonderful you are!
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
Read
July 21, 2008We didn't think this story was as good as some of the other Mr. Men books -- but mom found it at Goodwill, so whatcha gonna do.
July 16, 2012
enjoyed funny I story this.
December 22, 2016
I did not like this book because I do not like walking backwards. I also did not like this book because Mr. Topsy-turvy always walked backwards.
January 9, 2024
ma première lecture de 2024 big slay
May 27, 2018
Think I’m right in stating that as a boy I had all the pre-1990 Mr Men books with the possible exception of “Mr Snow”. Looking at all the covers apart from the latter jogged my memory.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
February 5, 2010
Another wonderfully imaginative offering from the Mr Men series.
Mr Topsy Turvy clearly has issues, but in salutory lesson to us all, manages to carry on with his everyday life.
The book highlights the problems people can face who don't fit into society's norms. It provides an excellent role model for accepting people and accomodating their needs. Today's modern world is far to quick to judge and react with a knee jerk.
The book excels at making children question why they do what they do, and how different some of his behaviour is. Plus it provides the opportunity of a lovely word game which my children relished, trying to outdo each other with absurdities.
Mr Topsy Turvy clearly has issues, but in salutory lesson to us all, manages to carry on with his everyday life.
The book highlights the problems people can face who don't fit into society's norms. It provides an excellent role model for accepting people and accomodating their needs. Today's modern world is far to quick to judge and react with a knee jerk.
The book excels at making children question why they do what they do, and how different some of his behaviour is. Plus it provides the opportunity of a lovely word game which my children relished, trying to outdo each other with absurdities.
August 18, 2013
I absolutely loved these Mr Men and Little Miss books. I remember getting them from my granny every week. There was so much from these simple characters, I remember filling my little bookshelf with all these books making sure I had got them all in right order. I wish I still had these books but somehow most of them got lost with many house moves or my mum gave the rest away. If I ever have kids, I will make sure they get the chance to experience these wonderful, colourful books.
August 5, 2017
We didn't really understand how Mr Topsy-turvy just showed up unexpectedly and disappeared the same way. I highly doubt the art gallery would have let him flip all the paintings upside down though, they are pretty particular about those types of things (i.e. touching the museum pieces). I like how the children are encouraged to speak like Yoda!
October 21, 2011
Little miss enjoyed it. I do like the Mr Men books, think they're an all time classic but I didn't "love" this one as a child and it still isn't one of my faves. But a nice little story all the less.
June 16, 2008
Confusion reigns as Mr. Topsy Turvy visits a town that's unlike him. One of the best of the Mr. Men books.
July 2, 2011
This gripped me right through to the twist in the tail. A brilliantly written story with good character devolpment. Deals honestly with the problems inherent in refusing to conform to societal norms
August 1, 2011
Funny. All Mr. Men and Little miss are, I've been reading them since I was a little kid and I read them to my little brother now days too.
June 2, 2015
Some of the Mr Men have blurred a little in my mind. Which one was Mr Nonsense and Mr Silly; were they Mr Topsy-turvy's pseudonyms?
April 25, 2015
My three and five year olds love Mr Topsy Turvy and his silliness.
September 30, 2016
“Mr Topsy-Turvy” - Reading a book upside-down and back to front is an example of what Mr TT does. He manages to turn the town upside down!
March 31, 2018
Cute stories
March 21, 2018
Mr topsy-turvy has visited when your words get scrambled
January 19, 2020
6 year old says... It's quite good but I don't think he came to my town(as the book said), because we don't have a train station. It loses a mark for that.
11 year old says... Cranberry Wensleydale
40 year old says... Whilst not considered on of the most popular Mr characters, I think it's quite a nice book - nothing too crazy goes on it's just a nice story about him visiting my town. He seems like a nice chap though, but... I have to say that I do wish he'd wear something other than just a hat. Everyone makes their own choices in this life, and that's fine, but I think walking around my hometown wearing just a hat and socks on his hands would be frowned upon. Even the local nudists wear clothes when they go shopping.
11 year old says... Cranberry Wensleydale
40 year old says... Whilst not considered on of the most popular Mr characters, I think it's quite a nice book - nothing too crazy goes on it's just a nice story about him visiting my town. He seems like a nice chap though, but... I have to say that I do wish he'd wear something other than just a hat. Everyone makes their own choices in this life, and that's fine, but I think walking around my hometown wearing just a hat and socks on his hands would be frowned upon. Even the local nudists wear clothes when they go shopping.
December 2, 2018
Mr. Topsy-Turvey. The man who sees everything the other way around. He says"Morning good!" when he sees people and confuses people all the way, all day. One day he goes to a hotel in town but confused the hotel manager with his topsy-turvey ness. And when he went decided to go home he confused the taxi driver. Mr. Topsey-Turvey is making everyone go crazy.
This book makes you laugh and helps refresh your mind. It also helps when you don't want to think of anything and is really bored. The book gives the thinking of how interesting and diverse people can be.
This book makes you laugh and helps refresh your mind. It also helps when you don't want to think of anything and is really bored. The book gives the thinking of how interesting and diverse people can be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews