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Original Bobbsey Twins #17
The Bobbsey Twins' Adventures of Baby May
The Bobbsey twins become involved in an elephantnapping when thieves, wanting a valuable cup belonging to the animal, must steal two things and get one.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1924
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89 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lee Hope
580 books79 followersLaura 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
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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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 2, 2016
**This review is for the original edition of the story, in which Baby May is a foundling baby, not a baby elephant.
When I was much younger, it took me some time to connect that the "Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport" and "The Bobbsey Twins: Merry Days Indoors and Out" were the same book with some changes to update things to a more modern time. I thought they were just super similar books. Then I grew older and understood why these changes were made.
"Baby May" is an interesting glance at a different time period, when it was okay to refer to black characters as "colored" and write dialect that is now painful to read aloud (or even in one's own head). It's also a glimpse at a time in which social services or the attitudes towards them were a bit different, which is why the Bobbseys don't seem to have too much trouble deciding to keep the foundling left on their stoop one rainy evening. From there, the "mystery" is, of course, who the child belongs to, and the other adventures are the usual, family-friend Bobbsey fluff.
Bobbsey mysteries are usually fairly simple, and some of the details don't often stand up well. In this case, the Bobbseys and the authorities are looking for "an old woman with a green umbrella and a worn shawl." I constantly found myself thinking "This whole book would be forced to go in a different direction if this woman just changed her clothes." Them again, these books are meant for a much younger audience, and the mystery needs to be something even younger readers can picutre themselves solving. I didn't wholly buy into Bobbsey "mysteries" as a kid, but I bought into them much more as "mysteries" than I do as an adult. I always just enjoyed the day-to-day stuff with the characters more.
If you pick up this edition, I would not immediately roast it for its clear datedness. There is still charm within the older Bobbsey books, and - as my parents did with me - those glimpse of older attitudes and older times can be turned into great teaching moments for younger kids about U.S. history.
When I was much younger, it took me some time to connect that the "Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport" and "The Bobbsey Twins: Merry Days Indoors and Out" were the same book with some changes to update things to a more modern time. I thought they were just super similar books. Then I grew older and understood why these changes were made.
"Baby May" is an interesting glance at a different time period, when it was okay to refer to black characters as "colored" and write dialect that is now painful to read aloud (or even in one's own head). It's also a glimpse at a time in which social services or the attitudes towards them were a bit different, which is why the Bobbseys don't seem to have too much trouble deciding to keep the foundling left on their stoop one rainy evening. From there, the "mystery" is, of course, who the child belongs to, and the other adventures are the usual, family-friend Bobbsey fluff.
Bobbsey mysteries are usually fairly simple, and some of the details don't often stand up well. In this case, the Bobbseys and the authorities are looking for "an old woman with a green umbrella and a worn shawl." I constantly found myself thinking "This whole book would be forced to go in a different direction if this woman just changed her clothes." Them again, these books are meant for a much younger audience, and the mystery needs to be something even younger readers can picutre themselves solving. I didn't wholly buy into Bobbsey "mysteries" as a kid, but I bought into them much more as "mysteries" than I do as an adult. I always just enjoyed the day-to-day stuff with the characters more.
If you pick up this edition, I would not immediately roast it for its clear datedness. There is still charm within the older Bobbsey books, and - as my parents did with me - those glimpse of older attitudes and older times can be turned into great teaching moments for younger kids about U.S. history.
October 13, 2024
This was one of my favorites of the series and so was the original of this book. I do have to mention that the picture related to this book is not right and belongs to the Talking Fox Mystery. Also, not a paperback.
July 28, 2020
This is one of the worst books in the first half of the Bobbsey Twins' series. Usually I suspend disbelief because it is a children's book, but there were just too many implausible scenarios. The worst was the police allowing children, including two 6-year-olds, to help search abandoned warehouses in the dark with the children leading the way. Also, hard to believe the parents would agree. The twins just happen to run into a dance troupe from Thailand at a little backwater hotel at the same time they are searching for a stolen cup from Thailand. I saw no reason to have the dancers involved. They could have found clues without them in the story. And no elephant, even a baby elephant, would fit in a station wagon. Major eye roll on the last.
The illustrations were horrible which only added to the misery of this book. The twins look like stick figures. Each was so thin, I could only deduce Mrs. Bobbsey had taken to starving her children. Or maybe she simply forgot. This was one of those books where she seemed utterly clueless. Half of the features were missing in the drawings, like eyes or a nose. Is it supposed to be some kind of abstract art for kids? Because I distinctly remember not liking these drawings when I was a kid, too. And what's with dark-haired, dark-eyed Charlie? In previous books, he's depicted with blond hair.
The only part I liked about the book was Baby May, but she's actually missing for a big portion. The book would have been rated one star without her. I guess every series hits a bump in the road and this is one of the Bobbsey Twins' bumps.
The illustrations were horrible which only added to the misery of this book. The twins look like stick figures. Each was so thin, I could only deduce Mrs. Bobbsey had taken to starving her children. Or maybe she simply forgot. This was one of those books where she seemed utterly clueless. Half of the features were missing in the drawings, like eyes or a nose. Is it supposed to be some kind of abstract art for kids? Because I distinctly remember not liking these drawings when I was a kid, too. And what's with dark-haired, dark-eyed Charlie? In previous books, he's depicted with blond hair.
The only part I liked about the book was Baby May, but she's actually missing for a big portion. The book would have been rated one star without her. I guess every series hits a bump in the road and this is one of the Bobbsey Twins' bumps.
April 19, 2020
A lovely book about the adventures of the children trying to solve a mystery involving a baby elephant. This adventure takes them all over town and even finds the two sets of twins riding on top of a station wagon with the older twins standing up holding on to a contraption that Bert has built.
These are clean, wonderful books. They do sometimes contain now unacceptable vocabulary concerning the cook and gardener who are African American. They are treated well, though some of the terms used are just not the way we would speak to those who work for us today. This was a different time and it does not mean the books should not be read to children. Discussions can be had about the subject, but the sweetness and cleanness of the books, character of the main characters and lovely old books offsets this minor problem.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#48 A book published in the 20th century...1924
These are clean, wonderful books. They do sometimes contain now unacceptable vocabulary concerning the cook and gardener who are African American. They are treated well, though some of the terms used are just not the way we would speak to those who work for us today. This was a different time and it does not mean the books should not be read to children. Discussions can be had about the subject, but the sweetness and cleanness of the books, character of the main characters and lovely old books offsets this minor problem.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#48 A book published in the 20th century...1924
December 10, 2021
This was the edition featuring the "abandoned" human baby, not the rewritten edition with the baseball-playing baby elephant.
I realize this is a book written for children. I say it's a book written by a syndicate for money. The "plot", such as it is, is thinly stretched. The story is padded out with unrelated scenes that do nothing to move it along.
Even if the reader disregards the negative manner in which the Bobbsey Family "servants" are described, there are plenty of other reasons to give this book a pass. Apparently, the book was rewritten in order to "modernize" it and remove references to crank autos and out-of-control horse teams. I say, let it all stand as a testament to days of yore when random women could leave babies on doorsteps and expect to be able to kidnap them back later without consequences.
I realize this is a book written for children. I say it's a book written by a syndicate for money. The "plot", such as it is, is thinly stretched. The story is padded out with unrelated scenes that do nothing to move it along.
Even if the reader disregards the negative manner in which the Bobbsey Family "servants" are described, there are plenty of other reasons to give this book a pass. Apparently, the book was rewritten in order to "modernize" it and remove references to crank autos and out-of-control horse teams. I say, let it all stand as a testament to days of yore when random women could leave babies on doorsteps and expect to be able to kidnap them back later without consequences.
June 11, 2011
I read every Bobbsey Twins adventures I could get my hands on from the age of 9 through 11. Summers were wonderful and I could borrow from the library and read these books. I could borrow 8 books every 2 weeks. Soon, I needed more than that and had to fight the librarian for more books. Now, I can do 8 books in a day. Sigh.
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June 30, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118703
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13118703
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews