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Original Bobbsey Twins #13
The Bobbsey Twins' Visit to the Great West
"Come on, let's make a snow man!" cried Bert Bobbsey, as he ran about in the white drifts of snow that were piled high in the yard in front of the house.
"That'll be lots of fun!" chimed in Freddie Bobbsey, who was Bert's small brother. "We can make a man, and then throw snowballs at him, and he won't care a bit; will he, Bert?"
"No, I guess a snow man doesn't care how many times you hit him with snowballs," laughed the older boy, as he tried to catch a dog that was leaping about in the drifts, barking for joy. "The more snowballs you throw at a snow man the bigger he gets," said Bert.
"That'll be lots of fun!" chimed in Freddie Bobbsey, who was Bert's small brother. "We can make a man, and then throw snowballs at him, and he won't care a bit; will he, Bert?"
"No, I guess a snow man doesn't care how many times you hit him with snowballs," laughed the older boy, as he tried to catch a dog that was leaping about in the drifts, barking for joy. "The more snowballs you throw at a snow man the bigger he gets," said Bert.
174 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1920
About the author
Laura Lee Hope
603 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 25, 2020
De dubbele tweeling reizen naar het - moderne - Wilde Westen. Uiteraard komen ze op het spoor van een misdaad, veediefstal, en proberen die op te lossen.
Tijdens hun speurtocht krijgen we heel wat wetenswaaridgheden over het westen te horen, zowel over het leven van de cowboys, de indianen en ook over de omgeving en het leven op een ranch.
Zoals gewoonlijk krijgen ze hulp van lokale vrienden en helpt ook het toeval een flink handje.
Wat ze ook doen, ze komen nooit echt in gevaar, of gevaarlijke momenten eindigen altijd met een geruststelling wanneer het al onmiddellijk goed afloopt.
Uiteraard zijn er de koeien die gestolen worden en wordt er heel wat paart gereden. Er loopt een hond door het verhaal en er moet bij een arend de pluimen uitgetrokken worden.
De tweelingen beleven, samen en apart, weer heel wat kleine avonturen, zoals altijd met steun van hun ouders.
Tijdens hun speurtocht krijgen we heel wat wetenswaaridgheden over het westen te horen, zowel over het leven van de cowboys, de indianen en ook over de omgeving en het leven op een ranch.
Zoals gewoonlijk krijgen ze hulp van lokale vrienden en helpt ook het toeval een flink handje.
Wat ze ook doen, ze komen nooit echt in gevaar, of gevaarlijke momenten eindigen altijd met een geruststelling wanneer het al onmiddellijk goed afloopt.
Uiteraard zijn er de koeien die gestolen worden en wordt er heel wat paart gereden. Er loopt een hond door het verhaal en er moet bij een arend de pluimen uitgetrokken worden.
De tweelingen beleven, samen en apart, weer heel wat kleine avonturen, zoals altijd met steun van hun ouders.
July 18, 2017
Love this series. Love this writer.
Love how she sometimes interrupts the story in a fun way to give us information she wants us to have...
“Then Flossie and Freddie began to talk, and so did Nan and so did Charley, and there was much talking that I will wait a few minutes for everyone to get quiet, and then go on with the story. And, while I am waiting, I will tell my new readers something about the Bobbsey twins as they have been written about in the books that come before this one in the series.” (pg 8)
So cute.
Of course the language used, the innocence of the times, and the way the African American cook and her husband are portrayed, as they help the Bobbsey's, reflect the times this book was written in.
“'And you mustn't do it again,' said Mrs. Bobbsey, when the story had been told.
'No'm, we won't!' promised Freddie.
'No, he won't do just this again,' said Bert with a laugh to Nan. 'But he'll do something else just as queer.'
And of course Freddie did.” (pg 57)
There are always the wonderful Bobbsey family, interesting friends they meet along the way, and a problem to be solved. This keeps each book in the series fresh and interesting.
In this book we have two main problems that merge at the end of the book. One is an old friend of Mr. Bobbsey's who shows up, needing a job, and having lost his two sons. The other is an inheritance for Mrs. Bobbsey, two businesses, that must be traveled to in order to be managed.
These books are GREAT for kids. I read them as a child and still have my original hardbacks. I am enjoying reading them again. I recommend them for homeschool read aloud, or children to read on their own, and for anyone who has never experienced a Bobbsey Twins book. Most of them are free on Kindle which makes it very convenient.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
A book you loved as a child
Love how she sometimes interrupts the story in a fun way to give us information she wants us to have...
“Then Flossie and Freddie began to talk, and so did Nan and so did Charley, and there was much talking that I will wait a few minutes for everyone to get quiet, and then go on with the story. And, while I am waiting, I will tell my new readers something about the Bobbsey twins as they have been written about in the books that come before this one in the series.” (pg 8)
So cute.
Of course the language used, the innocence of the times, and the way the African American cook and her husband are portrayed, as they help the Bobbsey's, reflect the times this book was written in.
“'And you mustn't do it again,' said Mrs. Bobbsey, when the story had been told.
'No'm, we won't!' promised Freddie.
'No, he won't do just this again,' said Bert with a laugh to Nan. 'But he'll do something else just as queer.'
And of course Freddie did.” (pg 57)
There are always the wonderful Bobbsey family, interesting friends they meet along the way, and a problem to be solved. This keeps each book in the series fresh and interesting.
In this book we have two main problems that merge at the end of the book. One is an old friend of Mr. Bobbsey's who shows up, needing a job, and having lost his two sons. The other is an inheritance for Mrs. Bobbsey, two businesses, that must be traveled to in order to be managed.
These books are GREAT for kids. I read them as a child and still have my original hardbacks. I am enjoying reading them again. I recommend them for homeschool read aloud, or children to read on their own, and for anyone who has never experienced a Bobbsey Twins book. Most of them are free on Kindle which makes it very convenient.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
A book you loved as a child
July 24, 2020
First off, let me say I do not review books that were written in 1966 by the standards of 2020. Guess what? In 1966, kids played cowboys and Indians. They probably did in 1976, too. Heck, I had fun playing cowboys and Indians when I was a kid, so I don't have a problem with it in this book. What bugged me was how outdated it felt even for 1966. All the characters (the Bobbsey family and the people on the ranch) act as if it is the old West from 50-100 years earlier. Also, I sincerely doubt that Native American children in 1966 spoke in broken English.
I also would have liked a longer stopover in Chicago instead of the very brief look given here since I live in the area. Too bad no Bobbsey Twins books were set in Chicago.
Why does Mr. Bobbsey even let the twins get off the train during the brief stop at a station along the way? Everyone knows one of the kids will miss the train.
This is the first book (aside from older versions from the 1950s which are better done artistically) employing a different illustrator. The drawings of the twins are more simplistic than the ones I favor (where Nan has a long ponytail and freckles). A definite negative. Heck, half the time the reader can't tell the difference between Freddie and Flossie. And when there is a slight difference it's because Flossie looks like a little, old lady. I do think there are a few more books with the illustrator I prefer, but at some point these drawings become the norm. Bummer.
All in all, not one of the best in the series for a number of reasons.
I also would have liked a longer stopover in Chicago instead of the very brief look given here since I live in the area. Too bad no Bobbsey Twins books were set in Chicago.
Why does Mr. Bobbsey even let the twins get off the train during the brief stop at a station along the way? Everyone knows one of the kids will miss the train.
This is the first book (aside from older versions from the 1950s which are better done artistically) employing a different illustrator. The drawings of the twins are more simplistic than the ones I favor (where Nan has a long ponytail and freckles). A definite negative. Heck, half the time the reader can't tell the difference between Freddie and Flossie. And when there is a slight difference it's because Flossie looks like a little, old lady. I do think there are a few more books with the illustrator I prefer, but at some point these drawings become the norm. Bummer.
All in all, not one of the best in the series for a number of reasons.
March 6, 2022
As I mentioned before this family is definitely upper middle class. They take long extended vacations that must be quite expensive. In this adventure Mrs. Bobbssey inherits a lumber Tract and a cattle ranch out west. So now they are triple business owners.
Racism is often used as criticisms for these books. Unfortunately I would agree with that in this book. Both Indians and a Chinese cook are made fun of using stereotypical comments.
Racism is often used as criticisms for these books. Unfortunately I would agree with that in this book. Both Indians and a Chinese cook are made fun of using stereotypical comments.
March 30, 2021
Enjoyable
I have never read a Bobbsey Twin book until now. I remember my grandmother had a copy on her self when I was a child. At sixty-three, I found this book cute and enjoyable. I think Freddie Bobbsey is my favorite. I intend to read more Bobbsey Twin books. I would encourage everyone one to read them. You will not be disappointed.
I have never read a Bobbsey Twin book until now. I remember my grandmother had a copy on her self when I was a child. At sixty-three, I found this book cute and enjoyable. I think Freddie Bobbsey is my favorite. I intend to read more Bobbsey Twin books. I would encourage everyone one to read them. You will not be disappointed.
November 30, 2024
Hope Chests #13
Bobbsey Twins #13
Well another Bonnsey twins yarn, and nothing really to write home about with this one, the younger twins are as annoying as ever, and the old cheese is not much better.
Bobbsey Twins #13
Well another Bonnsey twins yarn, and nothing really to write home about with this one, the younger twins are as annoying as ever, and the old cheese is not much better.
November 4, 2025
My least favorite in the first 20 Bobbsey books -- they go to Santa Fe NM but there is almost nothing unique to that area. It's The Bobbsey Twins on Any Dude Ranch, and the cattle rustling case feels needlessly prolonged --
February 1, 2024
Read this before twice great book like all the rest of them.🙂😁
April 12, 2012
One of the most interesting and entertaining in the series I've read since starting with book one a year ago. only 2 more published in the public domain era left!
January 6, 2016
Another cute Bobbsey Twins! It is had to think I have almost finished reading all the books that are public domain already.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews