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Children's reading lists

Books to help grow confident and independent children

An image of a selection of books about friendship on a light purple backgrounf with a Ladybird font patter.

Article-Card-Ladybird-Friendship-Books

12 books about friendship for little kids

Topsy and Tim: Learn to Swim

Learn to swim with everybody's favourite twins! A fantastic, colourful story book from the ever popular Topsy and Tim series. 
 
Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Going to the swimming pool for the first time can be daunting but Topsy and Tim are having fun! Follow the twins on their adventures as they have lessons, learn to swim without their armbands and take part in a swimming competition. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jean Adamson was the creator of more than 100 much-loved children's books spanning five decades. 
She studied Illustration at Goldsmiths where she met her future husband and writing partner Gareth Adamson (1925-1982). They worked on children's books together, with Gareth producing the storylines and Jean the illustration, including Topsy and Tim. 
More than 140 Topsy and Tim titles have been published, selling upwards of 21 million copies around the world. Since 1998, over a million copies have been sold in the UK alone. Sixty episodes of an animated TV series followed, and three seasons of a live-action version have broadcast on CBeebies, which won the BAFTA Pre-school Live Action award in 2016. 
In 1999 Jean Adamson was awarded an MBE for her services to children's literature.

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Going to the swimming pool for the first time can be daunting but Topsy and Tim are having fun! Follow the twins on their adventures as they have lessons, learn to swim without their armbands and take part in a swimming competition. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim: Start School

Topsy and Tim are starting school!Follow Topsy and Tim through their first day at school. Topsy and Tim are taught about the school bell and where to hang their coats and school bag. They learn all about the school canteen, lessons and - of course - the playground!Packed with playful illustrations and a clear guide to the school day, this story is perfect for all new school starters. With a map of Topsy and Tim&rsquo;s village, the story also highlights their route to school, preparing children for the daily journey.Addressing children&rsquo;s questions with warmth and clarity, Topsy and Tim: Start School is a gentle story designed to spark conversations about starting school and what to expect.

We loved this one as it had just the right tone...

Will help the little ones over those first day nerves

Topsy and Tim are starting school! 
 
Follow Topsy and Tim through their first day at school. Topsy and Tim are taught about the school bell and where to hang their coats and school bag. They learn all about the school canteen, lessons and - of course - the playground! 
 
Packed with playful illustrations and a clear guide to the school day, this story is perfect for nervous children. With a map of Topsy and Tim&rsquo;s village, the story also highlights their route to school, preparing children for the daily journey. 
 
Addressing children&rsquo;s questions with warmth and clarity, Topsy and Tim: Start School is a gentle story designed to start conversations about school-starting worries.

Topsy and Tim: Have a Birthday Party

It's Birthday time for the twins in this colourful story book from the ever-popular Topsy and Tim series. 
 
Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. It's Topsy and Tim's birthday and that means a party! Follow their adventures as they hang the decorations, open their presents and share the fun with all their friends. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. It's Topsy and Tim's birthday and that means a party! Follow their adventures as they hang the decorations, open their presents and share the fun with all their friends. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Topsy and Tim: On the Farm anniversary edition

Topsy and Tim are the twins who have entertained, guided and delighted children for 60 years. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of publishing, Topsy and Tim: On the Farm is a gorgeous new edition of one of the very first stories about these loveable twins, complete with original artwork. 
 
Topsy and Tim find fun and adventure in the real world. Their engaging stories are reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. In this special anniversary edition of On the Farm, join the twins as they help collect the eggs, bring the cows to be milked and even feed a calf.

Topsy and Tim are the twins who have entertained, guided and delighted children for 60 years. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of publishing, Topsy and Tim: On the Farm is a gorgeous new edition of one of the very first stories about these loveable twins, complete with original artwork. 
 
Topsy and Tim find fun and adventure in the real world. Their engaging stories are reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. In this special anniversary edition of On the Farm, join the twins as they help collect the eggs, bring the cows to be milked and even feed a calf.

Topsy and Tim: Halloween Party

Topsy and Tim find fun and adventure in the real world. Their engaging stories are reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. In Halloween Party, join the twins as they help deocorate their house, make pumpkin lanterns and play all sorts of spooky games at their very own Halloween party. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences', Topsy and Tim books have been beautifully updated with contemporary artwork. Topsy &amp; Tim remain instantly recognizable to parents while in a fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of fans. 
 
 
Other Topsy and Tim stories include Topsy and Tim: Go on Holiday, Topsy and Tim: Have their Eyes Tested and Topsy and Tim: First Sleepover.

Topsy and Tim find fun and adventure in the real world. Their engaging stories are reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. In Halloween Party, join the twins as they help deocorate their house, make pumpkin lanterns and play all sorts of spooky games at their very own Halloween party. 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences', Topsy and Tim books have been beautifully updated with contemporary artwork. Topsy &amp; Tim remain instantly recognizable to parents while in a fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of fans. 
 
Other Topsy and Tim stories include Topsy and Tim: Go on Holiday, Topsy and Tim: Have their Eyes Tested and Topsy and Tim: First Sleepover.

Ladybird Readers Level 1 - Topsy and Tim - Go to London (ELT Graded Reader)

Ladybird Readers is an ELT graded reader series for children aged 3­-11 learning English as a foreign or second language. The series includes traditional tales, favourite characters, modern stories and non-fiction. Written by experts, it uses proven methods to help children learn English and grasp key grammar and vocabulary points. 
<ul><li>Perfect for learning English in school or at home</li><li>Develops reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking skills</li><li>Features much-loved characters and authors such as Peter Rabbit, Peppa Pig, Roald Dahl and Eric Carle </li><li>Eight levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR)</li><li>Language activities in every book provide preparation for the Cambridge English Pre-A1 to A2 (YLE) tests</li><li>Features free online resources including audio, answer keys, lesson plans and tips for parents</li></ul>Topsy and Tim: Go to London, a Level 1 Reader, is Pre-A1 in the CEFR framework and supports YLE Starters exams. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present tense and some simple adjectives. 
 
Topsy and Tim are going to London with Mommy and Dad. They see the Tower of London and go on a boat. London is great! 
 
Visit the Ladybird Education website for more information.

Ladybird Readers is an ELT graded reader series for children learning English as a foreign or second language. The series includes traditional tales, favourite characters, modern stories and non-fiction - featuring Spot, Peppa Pig and Peter Rabbit and classic authors such as Roald Dahl. 
 
Recommended for children aged 3-11, the eight levels of Ladybird Readers follow the CEFR framework(Pre-A1 to A2+) and include extra learning activities that develop key skills and provide preparation for the Cambridge English tests. Each book is Lexile measured and introduces key vocabulary and character names at the start of each reader. The books are written by language learning experts and include access to online audio, supplementary activities and learning resources including role plays, phrase cards and lesson plans. 
 
This Level 1 Reader is Pre-A1 in the CEFR framework and supports YLE Starters exams. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present tense and some simple adjectives. 
 
Topsy and Tim are going to London with Mommy and Dad. They see the Tower of London and go on a boat. London is great!

Jean Adamson

Belinda Worsley

Topsy and Tim are always finding fun adventures in the real world, and this story is reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. Today, Topsy and Tim are going to the Zoo! Join in the fun as they visit the penguins, lions, giraffes and more! 
 
A trusted and well-loved pair who can help guide parents and children through 'first experiences'. This bestselling Topsy and Tim title has been refreshed with a contemporary and fresh style that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jean Adamson

Books by Jean Adamson

Series by Jean Adamson

Topsy and Tim

Articles featuring Jean Adamson

Books to help grow confident and independent children

12 books about friendship for little kids

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