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A massive long shot but does anyone remember this kids book from the 80s?

191 replies

DearSnail · 15/11/2024 21:21

It was a book about a little boy and his teddy bear and what they got up to during the day.

The main thing I remember was that instead of drawings the pictures were all photographs and the bear was a small knitted brown one, whose name I think began with a B.

This was during the late 80s and I think I used to get it out during every other visit to the library (take it back one week and get it out the next). I can vividly remember my mum pleading with me once to get any other book out as she was fed up of reading it and we both knew it backwards anyway but I was resolute.

So annoying because I was utterly obsessed with it but now can't remember the name and Google isn't being any help.

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DearSnail · 16/05/2026 18:37

BeckyAMumsnet · 16/05/2026 11:50

Thanks, @BaronessBomburst and @InterestingDuck for the nomination.

This is a fantastic thread, and worthy of Classics - we'll move it over during the week. 💙

Oh wow! Thank you so much @BeckyAMumsnet .

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InterestingDuck · 16/05/2026 17:49

Yay! Thank you @BeckyAMumsnet

BeckyAMumsnet · 16/05/2026 11:50

BaronessBomburst · 15/05/2026 18:48

@BeckyAMumsnet may I nominate this thread for Classics, please? 😁 It's very much 'in the spirit of the site' and everything that's good about MN.

Thanks, @BaronessBomburst and @InterestingDuck for the nomination.

This is a fantastic thread, and worthy of Classics - we'll move it over during the week. 💙

DearSnail · 15/05/2026 18:56

InterestingDuck · 15/05/2026 18:46

I'm thinking of Bobo quietly enjoying the sunshine in South Devon, perhaps wearing shades for anonymity 😎

😂 Shades, a big hat and going by the name Edgar. Almost sounds like he's in witness protection!

But it sounds like he's having a lovely retirement in South Devon, which he deserves after bringing joy to many children.

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InterestingDuck · 15/05/2026 18:52

@BaronessBomburst I've been told it will be looked at by the Classics Nominations Committee 🏆

BaronessBomburst · 15/05/2026 18:48

@BeckyAMumsnet may I nominate this thread for Classics, please? 😁 It's very much 'in the spirit of the site' and everything that's good about MN.

InterestingDuck · 15/05/2026 18:46

DearSnail · 15/05/2026 18:06

I think this is quite possibly the nicest thread I've ever seen.

That's so nice of you to say ❤.

I was really quite gutted when I missed out on the copy I first found because Bobo is a very hard man to track down these days! So to actually have a copy and one signed by the photographer is very special.

I'm thinking of Bobo quietly enjoying the sunshine in South Devon, perhaps wearing shades for anonymity 😎

DearSnail · 15/05/2026 18:06

Mochudubh · 15/05/2026 17:50

I'm bubbling like a kettle here. What a lovely outcome and how amazing the copy OP finally got has Jan's signature.

I think this is quite possibly the nicest thread I've ever seen.

Edited

I think this is quite possibly the nicest thread I've ever seen.

That's so nice of you to say ❤.

I was really quite gutted when I missed out on the copy I first found because Bobo is a very hard man to track down these days! So to actually have a copy and one signed by the photographer is very special.

OP posts:
Mochudubh · 15/05/2026 17:50

I'm bubbling like a kettle here. What a lovely outcome and how amazing the copy OP finally got has Jan's signature.

I think this is quite possibly the nicest thread I've ever seen.

Sloelydoesit · 15/05/2026 15:16

Crying here too! What a lovely thread

BellaBlister · 15/05/2026 14:56

This thread has made me cry! Brilliant outcome!

spiderlight · 15/05/2026 14:18

This thread has made my day, and what a magical ending! I loved the reminder of Tom and Pippo - we had several of their stories and they were my son's favourite books as a very young baby and were read to rags.

Madlymumming · 15/05/2026 13:59

Brown Bear Barney?

DearSnail · 15/05/2026 13:55

DearSnail · 15/05/2026 12:53

@ConfusionIsNothingNew @Iseethesilverlining Aww, I'm so pleased people are still loving this thread as much as I did.

Oh flip I meant to put you in that post @InterestingDuck 🤦.

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DearSnail · 15/05/2026 12:53

@ConfusionIsNothingNew @Iseethesilverlining Aww, I'm so pleased people are still loving this thread as much as I did.

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InterestingDuck · 15/05/2026 12:47

Great minds think alike, I was just nominating it for Classics as you were posting. Even though I was very late to the party so didn't see it unfold, it really warmed my heart. Perhaps if others could nominate it MNHQ will agree!

ConfusionIsNothingNew · 15/05/2026 12:44

I’ve just read through this thread (I didn’t catch on that it was started a while ago) with utter delight!
I’m so glad you finally found your Bobo book and how lovely to have the author make their contribution. Surely this needs to be in classics!

DearSnail · 15/05/2026 12:43

YorkieTheRabbit · 15/05/2026 11:22

I really like this type of thread.
Some years ago, I asked about a book I remembered from my childhood. A couple of posters suggested the same title, Hilda Boswell’s Treasury of Poetry. I read the book until it fell apart Grin. I managed to buy a copy from eBay, it brought back some lovely memories.

I had been trying to find this book for years when I posted here and I honestly thought the thread would be tumbleweed. I couldn't believe how many people tried to help and offered suggestions. Capped off by the amazing @Lemooon who so kindly sent me a pdf of their copy.

MN can be a harsh place to be sometimes but this thread showed how many good eggs are on here.

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DearSnail · 15/05/2026 12:38

And I think the thread also needs another appearance from the man himself!

A massive long shot but does anyone remember this kids book from the 80s?
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DearSnail · 15/05/2026 12:36

@JanSiegieda Thank you for posting. I love that Bobo was an actual much loved toy in his own right before becoming adored by so many children.

I meant to say before, the copy I received for Christmas last year (aged 42!) has your autograph inside it, which makes it even more special 🙂.

A massive long shot but does anyone remember this kids book from the 80s?
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InterestingDuck · 15/05/2026 12:34

Edgar is a lovely name. I should think, like cats, bears ought to have two names, their public name and a secret, mystical name!

I hope Bobo will be treasured for generations to come, it's great to hear that he was a much-loved and played with teddy rather than one created just for the story.

You would certainly win a Mumsnet Award too for Best Book if there was one!

JanSiegieda · 15/05/2026 12:01

Hello from south Devon to @DearSnail @ScrollingLeaves @HopefulYankee @stayathomegardener @InterestingDuck @IamEarthymama Thanks for all your truly lovely feedback. @IamEarthymama asked about the little boy in the book, and who knitted Bobo? The little boy's real name was Robin Hulme, son of the book's co-author Susan. Bobo belonged to my late wife Helen, who appears in the book as Sam's mother. Bobo was knitted for Helen by her mother when Helen was a small child. Helen's mum was a widow and they didn't have much money, hence the need to knit a toy for Helen. This makes Bobo about 68 years old. Can you keep a secret? Bobo was an assumed 'stage' name for the purposes of the book. Helen had named him Edgar. 'Where is Bobo?' went on to win an award in 1985 for being the best book for children. Happy days!

YorkieTheRabbit · 15/05/2026 11:22

I really like this type of thread.
Some years ago, I asked about a book I remembered from my childhood. A couple of posters suggested the same title, Hilda Boswell’s Treasury of Poetry. I read the book until it fell apart Grin. I managed to buy a copy from eBay, it brought back some lovely memories.

ScrollingLeaves · 15/05/2026 11:19

What lovely news! Thank you for letting everyone here on the thread share your joy.🧸🌸♥️❤️💕

HopefulYankee · 15/05/2026 09:43

I think this is my favourite thread so far!

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