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Bobbsey Twins – Yet Another Terrific Series from Our Childhoods

I guess I’m feeling a little nostalgic right now. This must be the reason I’ve sort of gotten fixated about some of the old mystery series that started us on our way to Cozies. We’ve already talked about Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, so today I thought we’d talk about The Bobbsey Twins. This series is arguably less “mystery” focused than many of these largely detective novels, but one that I’m sure still has a place in many of our childhoods. The Bobbsey Twins were two pairs of twins >>> older twins Nan and Bert, and younger twins Freddie and Flossie, and they could be more accurately described as adventure books aimed at younger readers rather than always being mysteries.

I’m sure that when I read some of these books, I didn’t know the Bobbsey Twins series was created by Edward Stratemeyer, head and founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate. This group produced many mystery series intended for children and teenagers. Other Stratemeyer creations included Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Tom Swift (among many others.) However, the Bobbsey Twins were a much earlier creation of Edward Stratemeyer, before the formula had truly been developed.

The first Bobbsey Twins book, released in 1904, was titled The Bobbsey Twins: Merry Days Indoors and Out. It wasn’t a mystery, and it set the tone for much of the early series. Originally, the Bobbsey Twins novels weren’t detective plots at all. Over the years, the series began to see increasing influence from other popular series of the time, including the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden. That said, when crime did make an appearance in the Bobbsey Twins, it tended to be a bit softer than in other similar detective series, and some books would still lack any sort of crime elements. (OK, I have to admit that I did a little research here. I sort of remembered all of them as being mysteries…)

The earlier books seemed to be a place where Stratemeyer honed his craft. Some of the earlier Bobbsey Twin books would see the twins set going from eight and four in the first book, then nearly nine and almost five… then eventually the older twins skipped up to 12 while the younger pair were six. The twins’ ages seemed to bounce all over the place, making them older too fast. Finally, it seemed like Stratemeyer decided the twins’ ages should sort of stop progressing, when the producers likely realized they were aging the characters too quickly.

This is also the ages that the Bobbsey Twins would be in later revisions of the original novels, the first set of which began seeing release in the 1960s. These changes would include both technological change (removing horse and buggy and inserting cars, for example), as well as social change (such as the portrayal of the African-American characters in the series). The names were also generally changed, as names like The Bobbsey Twins in the Country and The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore might be accurate, but weren’t particularly attention-grabbing. The content of the books also supposedly changed a bit, and some books weren’t re-released at all. (That’s right! Go check your attics and see if you may have one or two of the non-released books!)

As with other Stretemeyer hit series, the Bobbsey Twins were written under a pseudonym (in this case Laura Lee Hope, a name also attributed to several smaller, less successful series in the 1910s and 20s). So, determining the exact author for each book is a bit difficult. Regardless of who wrote them, they were certainly successful >>> there were over a hundred books written in the series, and for many years the series was the longest Stratemeyer published novel series (though it was eventually overtaken by both the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew). Regardless of whether or not they were truly mysteries, they were definitely an important part of pop culture, and are remembered with fondness by those who grew up with them.

There are almost ten FREE Bobbsey Twin Kindle books. (Just click on this link and it will take you to the correct page.) You may not want to read them again, but you might know a little one who would enjoy them…

Did you happen to be a Bobbsey Twins’ fan? If so, would you please drop us a comment and share your memories? Thanks!

Comments

    • Lee Ann, good grief! What is it with me? When I start typing, sometimes my fingers go faster than my brain! (And I even proof-read it before I posted it!) Thank you for letting me know about my mistake.

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  2. I loved this series – the very first book I owned was a Bobbsey Twins, & from then on I was hooked & collected the entire set. I wish I had kept the set for my granddaughter!

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    • I loved the Bobbsey Twins books too and had lots of them. I gave them to a young friend when I moved house, but I wish I’d kept them – they were one of my first introductions to mystery novels, along with Nancy Drew!

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  3. I had my mother’s Bobbsey twins books (she was born in 1915) I seem to remember reading them when I was in 3rd grade. I remember that I did like the series, but the only thing I remember from it were Freddie and Flossie’s nicknames…The Fat Fireman, and Fat Fairy. Even at the tender age of 8, I thought those nicknames were kinda mean.

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  4. The books cost 50 cents and I always asked for the new one on my birthday or at Christmas. When I finally gave them away I must have had at least 20 books. I’m now 86 and I grew up with the Bobbsey twins.

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  5. LOL, when I first saw the title of this post, I thought, is someone doing a new take on the Bobbsey Twins? Given the number of series inspired by pre-existing characters, it might not be a bad idea! Thanks for bringing back some memories for me.

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  6. First book I remember reading was the first Bobbsey Twins book. The next book I remember was the Wizard of Oz.

    The Bobbsey Twins book was my father’s (he was born in 1919). I read, read and re-read that book. Absolutely loved it. Remember At the Seashore and In the Country as well. I also was a big Nancy Drew fan. They would come in a set of three (not sure where mom and dad got them that way) and I would always get a new set each year at Christmas. I quit unwrapping presents after I found that set and curled up on the couch reading Nancy Drew.

    Thanks for the walk down Memory Lane!

    Virginia

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  7. I’m a major Bobbsey Twins fan from the early ’60s. They and the Happy Hollisters were my favorites. My family would go to a used book shop and I’d browse the titles very seriously; I believe they were $0.25 each, or 5 for $1.00. I loved reading and collecting the same title from its various publication date iterations. I’d love to have a piece of the original artwork drawings from either Bobbseys or Hollisters! Does anyone know a seller of children’s illustrations?

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  8. This was one of the first series I started with many, many years ago. I was collecting them for awhile, but between the old versions and the new, it got a little overwhelming! They were fun to read . Reminded me of the Happy Hollisters which came out later. Nice, gentle family stories with mild mysteries.

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  10. Absolutely my favorite childhood series – had at least 50 of them, read them voraciously. Loved Flossie and Freddie.

    I may have to start buying these up again on ebay.

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  11. The Bobbsey Twins books were my very first adventure into a series of books! Loved them! Followed closely by Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys…great memories!!

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  12. I loved those, along with Betsy,Tacy and Tib. Can’t find my copy of that, but I do have my Five Little Peppers and How They Grew…..thank you, St. Nick.

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  13. I too have this series, the The Honey Bunch, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. I added The short series by Jerry B Jenkins, The red Rock Mysteries. I shared them with my kids, then the grand kids and now my great grand kids. They all loved them. Each Wants to know who gets them when I am gone. I am glad that newer generations have grown to love them as much as I did.

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  15. Loved the Bobbsey Twins. I read as many as I could get my hands on before I started on Nancy the the Hardy Boys.
    I don’t know for sure, but those books may have been the root of my fascination with twins. Karma – I went on to have twins – and now have twin grandkids. Will be looking for the Bobbsey Twin books for the grandkids.

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  16. Aww……such memories….loved the Bobbsey Twins. I would dream I was part of their family (my mother was in heaven) and dreams were my way of coping. I still have the first book even tho it’s falling apart and the back cover is missing.

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    • I LOVED the Sugar Creek Gang! Would always look for those books at the Christian bookstore! Wish they were still available!

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  19. I read and loved the Bobbsey Twins books! As a child, I could relate to the twins as I’m a twin myself. I also loved Nancy Drew, Hardy Boy and Trixie Beldon books.

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  22. I remember reading a reprint of the first book. It was interesting to see how times have changed. I think hot bread was considered bad for children in that version.

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  24. Katie (my twin sister) & I started reading the Bobbsey Twins and the Five Little Peppers & How They Grew while in junior high. After that it was Nancy Drew. In the 60’s growing up we’d lay on the sofa in the living room or in our beds and pass the time reading …. wouldn’t trade those days for anything in the world.

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  25. Read all the Bobbsey Twin books over and over again as a child. I think this began my love for mysteries. I still have my Mother’s original 15 Bobbsey titles from when she was a child

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  26. I have found out that many of these familiar favorites have been re-written over the years (much to my disappointment). When I do a library or Amazon search, how can I be sure I’m looking at a book from the original series and not a re-write??

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  27. I found a one at used book fair in haRd back. Also hardy boys and nancy drew in hard back. Dated in 1930s some of them.

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      • I’m working on a quilt (will get back to it when my knee is healed up enough for quilting). It is a kit titled The Storytellers. Each month for 12 months I get a portion of the quilt. 12 different women writers. Monday I got block 7, a writer by the name of Mildred Wirt Benson. The name meant nothing to me but they always include some history about the author. Here is what I learned:

        Born in 1905 in Ladora Iowa and is best known as one of the 28 individuals who helped produce the Nancy Drew mysteries.

        Book rights for Nancy Drew were owned by Stratemeyer Syndicate (currently by Simon & Schuster). Ms. Benson was paid a flat fee of $125 to $250 for each book. She received an outline and then filled in the text. Secret of the Old Clock was written in 1930. Ms. Benson’s favorite was The Hidden Staircase.

        She also wrote Penny Parker, Dana Girls, Day Tracey, Penny Nichols, Connie Carl and Madge Sterling (all were written under pen names).

        I’m figuring that we might enjoy these books as well!

        Virginia

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