Are we even less adventurous than Topsy and Tim?

[Cherryblossoms85]

So the Topsy and Tim (had to avoid the autocorrect writing Tipsy, whoops) books were written mostly in about 1995. I am constantly being asked to read "Topsy and Tim go camping", and for those of you that haven't had the misfortune, here's a quick recap: they get up before their parents, and go to play in the woods with two older boys. Then they all get lost, but find their way back using the way markers on trees. When they get back to the campsite, mum and dad aren't at all bothered, and just say something like "there you are". These days, that'd practically be a police search with a helicopter, right? Have we lost our way in not allowing kids any freedom? Or is it better safe than adventurous?
YABU - Better safe
YANBU - The lack of freedom is a problem

Topsy and Tim get excited about trying on new shoes.

So, given that they're SO easily pleased I would suggest it wasn't a "woods" - it was just 3 small trees next to the tent separating two pitches.

😂

1995? I'm pretty sure they were around when I was little and I'm nearly 50.

They were first published in 1960.

I had the originals which my step mum got 2nd hand from a Carboot sale in 1986 😁

This! And I’m older than you.
Didn’t they live in a high rise flat?

@Twospaniels I remember a book where they ran around their garden so perhaps not?

The camping one is all within the campsite grounds - they follow ‘trail’ markings.

And yes, 1960s. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsy_and_Tim

I don't know but I remember when they moved house and the cat ran away.

didn't read this one, my parents would not have liked us to read that!

Yeah, fair point!

I must've looked at the reprint date then. They must've reissued with updated pictures though as all the kit and clothes ar 90s.

Ah we had that one and I remember thinking similar to you when I read it to my kids OP!

I have a really old 1960s one where they are on holiday in somewhere like the Lake District and they get up early and go out and get lost in the hills.
They get found (rescued?) by someone random who looks after them until the parents turn up. I think they are waiting in a shop or a pub.
The old old Topsy and Tim books are awesome 🤣

I just googled one that I remember from childhood where they walk to school in the fog (on their own of course!) and hardly anyone else turns up so they sit round the fire with the teacher roasting chestnuts 😂

Also found some other titles while I was looking, LOVE the cover of Bonfire Night. They look like they're off to start a riot somewhere 😂

@FetlocksBlowing the original illustrations are definitely the best. The 90s era ones are so bland.
Back then they also had their adopted brother and sister Tansy and Teddy - they were never in the 90s (and beyond) versions.

I'm well into my 50s and Topsy and Tim were my favourite books when I was at school . I seem to remember there being ones that were different days of the week.

I miss their matching outfits in the current versions.
I mean what's the point in having twins if you aren't going to dress them to match?*

*Joking....

Never really thought about it but I must have been subconsciously influenced by my ancient Topsy and Tim books, I loved putting my twins in matching and coordinating outfits when they were tiny. They're 6 now and have a lot of opinions but every so often they choose to match and it's adorable!

(They're boy/girls twins btw. Still haven't managed to get them to dress as Topsy and Tim for world book day though.)

Topsy and Tim’s mum is a new advert for Boots. Nice to see her again.

@JellyTeapot next World Book Day you must insist - and make them wear this outfit 🤣

@Needmorelego I'll start knitting the jumpers now 😂

Love it 😂

@JellyTeapot if you go for this one I think you have to knit the trousers too 🤣

No you aren’t wrong at all. Nowadays is actually a lot safer to go out and explore- cctv everywhere, strangers scared to approach kids, kids all have phones, news travels quicker ect.
but parents are way too mollycoddling and this is why kids are more anxious and mentally Ill than ever before.
my generation (born early 1980s) would be out from dawn to dusk with no phones no cctv ect. We were very independent.
I had kids young (born early 2000s) and they would be out most weekends from about 9/10. They are pretty independent and adventurous.
the kids of my friends who were born later and are now 10 ish are completely clueless and unable to entertain themselves. And this seems to be a common problem with kids generally now (I work in schools). We need to fight against it.

Also I love topsy and Tim. And biff chip and kipper! The magic reading tree books 📚