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Original Bobbsey Twins #25
The Bobbsey Twins And The Circus Surprise
The Bobbsey Twins are the principal characters of what was, for many years, the Stratemeyer Syndicate's longest-running series of children's novels, penned under the pseudonym Laura Lee Hope.
Hardcover
First published May 1, 1932
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About the author
Laura Lee Hope
590 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 8, 2024
Little Free Library find. I never read any Bobbsey Twins as a kid, but I heard of them. I think maybe my mom had read them or known about them when she kid and mentioned them. Like the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, these stories got refreshed and republished to appeal to new generations of children. This particular book is from 1960 and is a reworking of a story from 1932.
The Bobbseys are two sets of brother/sister twins, aged 6 and 12. Everyone is excited because a circus is coming to town. Subplots include encounters with a bully, a lost and found dog, a trip to the farm where they meet Sandy, a circus girl staying there while her mother recovers from an accident, and various encounters with circus people and animals.
After suffering a theft and a series of accidents, the circus packs up and heads to the next town early. Mr. Bobbsey has business in that town, so the whole family goes with him. They enjoy a stay in a hotel with a pool while trying to figure out what's causing the problems with the circus. Eventually, they solve the mystery and even get the dog back to his owner, who turns out to be Sandy's father. He is offered a job at a local camp and decides to stay in town. The kids put on their own circus to raise money for the camp. Everyone lived happily except the disgruntled clown who was causing all the problems - at least until the next book.
Any kids reading this today would be shocked by 1) the things the kids are able to do on their own, 2) the circus - especially the treatment of animals and freak show type people, 3) the condescending way the black help is treated. On the other hand, I don't think it hurts kids to know that things were different in the past - that they've changed, why they changed, and that their grandparents grew up in this world. So maybe something to read together and discuss - plus, the kids manage to have adventures without anything bad happening to their parents. As an older person, it was a trip down memory lane.
The Bobbseys are two sets of brother/sister twins, aged 6 and 12. Everyone is excited because a circus is coming to town. Subplots include encounters with a bully, a lost and found dog, a trip to the farm where they meet Sandy, a circus girl staying there while her mother recovers from an accident, and various encounters with circus people and animals.
After suffering a theft and a series of accidents, the circus packs up and heads to the next town early. Mr. Bobbsey has business in that town, so the whole family goes with him. They enjoy a stay in a hotel with a pool while trying to figure out what's causing the problems with the circus. Eventually, they solve the mystery and even get the dog back to his owner, who turns out to be Sandy's father. He is offered a job at a local camp and decides to stay in town. The kids put on their own circus to raise money for the camp. Everyone lived happily except the disgruntled clown who was causing all the problems - at least until the next book.
Any kids reading this today would be shocked by 1) the things the kids are able to do on their own, 2) the circus - especially the treatment of animals and freak show type people, 3) the condescending way the black help is treated. On the other hand, I don't think it hurts kids to know that things were different in the past - that they've changed, why they changed, and that their grandparents grew up in this world. So maybe something to read together and discuss - plus, the kids manage to have adventures without anything bad happening to their parents. As an older person, it was a trip down memory lane.
March 23, 2020
My copy of this book is titled "The Bobbsey Twins at the Circus" but I believe it is the same story. It's probably been close to 40 years since I read the Bobbsey Twins and I have to say that it has not stood the test of time as well as Nancy Drew did. There are some definitely racist references to their colored help and the way they talk. In addition, I didn't understand some of the descriptions (such as the car and it's 'curtains') and I know young children would have trouble with even more of the dated language and references (though this could lead to some learning opportunities and discussions). Though it never says how old they are in this book, I looked it up and they are 8 and 12 at their oldest in the series, and they definitely had more freedom and independence than children of that age would today.
July 31, 2020
I'm not a big fan of the circus. Never have been. Even as a kid, I thought clowns were creepy. So this is not one of my favorite Bobbsey Twins' books. A glimpse is given, however unwittingly, into the mistreatment suffered by the elephants.
This is the book where Waggo becomes a member of the family. Even that happy occasion is somewhat muted by the way he became their pet. A different little girl had to give him up. I can't imagine any ten-year-old girl handing over her pet so willingly, no matter the circumstances.
This is the book where Waggo becomes a member of the family. Even that happy occasion is somewhat muted by the way he became their pet. A different little girl had to give him up. I can't imagine any ten-year-old girl handing over her pet so willingly, no matter the circumstances.
August 20, 2017
A very sweet, outdated story. Today's kids more than likely won't understand some of what is said by the characters because of their old-fashioned vernacular. Which is too bad! Life is quite rosy for this family-a breath of fresh air!
January 2, 2021
In this story there are not one but two sets of twins and a stray dog that can do handstands. The youngest twins have a talent for getting lost, and no one minds that the dad calls his youngest daughter a fat fairy. Total fun from nose to tail.
July 2, 2019
HB-B, @ 1932, Read 8/4/1989, juvenile fiction, series, Bk. 25. The twins adventures at the circus. 3 ☆'s = Good.
November 15, 2025
Too many plot holes! Too many pets!
April 21, 2012
Well, this is what you would expect it would be! I read it with the kids and they did enjoy it. There was implicit and explicit racism towards their black housekeeper and her husband that I had to edit while reading. Besides that it was however a generally wholesome story. It had some very good cliff-hangers at the end of chapters that had my daughters (4 and 2 years old) on the edge of their seats! That was my favourite part of the book. I would probably read them more Bobbsey Twins in the future for that reason alone. They were unimaginative, but they were entertaining for the girls.
December 14, 2012
An adorable book for younger readers or older readers remembering their childhood.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews