Topsy and Tim

In an interview with The Guardian, Jean Adamson said that she and her future husband had been trained as book illustrators at Goldsmiths College. They decided to get married and leave their former jobs in order to write and illustrate their own children's books. Their approach was shaped by a visit to a children's bookshop in Newcastle where they realised that there were few books depicting actual contemporary children. She explained that the books were also influenced by the post-war mood: :At that time, not so terribly long after the end of the war, England was just waking up, bright colours were coming in, there was a lovely optimistic feeling in the air. So I said "Why don't we do books with real live little children in, with the little adventures and so on that they have in the house?" ==Television series==

The books have been adapted for television twice; first, in collaboration with Video Collection International in 1991, and second, in collaboration with Darrall Macqueen Ltd for the 2013 live-action production, which first aired on CBeebies and is now available on DVD and online. Bevanfield Films In 1991, an animated series was produced by Bevanfield Films for Video Collection International, consisting of 60 five-minute episodes narrated by Roger Blake. The series was broadcast on ITV. CBeebies In 2013, a 13-minute live-action comedy series was made for CBeebies, consisting of three series and 71 episodes. Further details can be seen here: List of Topsy and Tim episodes. No further episodes have been planned as of 2024. The series was produced by Darrall Macqueen Ltd and distributed globally by WildBrain. Series 1 and 2 were filmed from March to October 2013, the Christmas Special was filmed in December 2013 and Series 3 was filmed from June to August 2015. Characters ==Topsy and Tim Books==

First Generation: 1960-1987 The first generation of Topsy and Tim books were characterised by Jean Adamson's rich gouache illustrations and believable stories filled with fun anecdotes by Gareth Adamson. They were illustrated primarily by Jean Adamson, with some titles illustrated by Gareth Adamson and Gabrielle Adamson. Second Generation: 1990-2007 The second generation of Topsy and Tim books, with illustrations drafted by Jean Adamson and coloured by professional artists. Third Generation: 2009-Ongoing The third Generation of Topsy and Tim books, based on the original stories by Jean and Gareth Adamson, with modernised illustrations by Belinda Worsley. Republished: 2020-Ongoing Republications of the original Topsy and Tim books, bringing back the classic gouache illustrations by Jean Adamson. == References ==