"I Cannot Live Without Books" ~ Thomas Jefferson

Tam at The Gypsy's Corner is hosting "Three or More Tuesday". Don't forget to go on over and see everyone's posts today.

There' nothing like getting lost in a good book. I can remember actually being thrilled when I learned to read. I just couldn't get enough! The Christmas that I was in second grade I told my parents all I wanted was a chair of my own and books. That's all. My two younger sisters were appalled! They thought I had lost my mind.....no toys? As it turned out my Dad insisted that I get a doll (which he always picked out for us) but for the most part I got my wish. On Christmas morning there was my chair and a big stack of books! I was in heaven! Today I want to share three of those books......the three books I received from the Bobbsey Twins series.

The Bobbsey Twins quickly became some of my favorites. They were published from 1908 until 1979 and were written by several authors, all under the pseudonym Laura Lee Hope. I think there were 72 titles in the entire series.....I read many of them but from other sources like the library. These were the only three I ever owned. As you can tell they are well-worn by now, but I'm so glad I still have them. These particular volumes were ones that were in the bookstores during the 1960's, hardbacks with colorful glossy covers. The stories were the original ones but with updated covers. Over the years I've collected some of the earlier ones, which I'm always thrilled to find, but these remain my favorites.

In the first book, seen at the top, you get introduced to the Bobbsey twins of Lakeport. There are two sets of twins in the family.....Nan and Bert who are eight years old with dark hair....and Freddie and Flossie, the four year olds who are blond and feisty. Their father owns a lumber yard and their mother is a SAHM. Of course the twins are always having all kinds of adventures. I can remember reading late into the night, with my eyes drooping, so sleepy I could hardly stand it, but too engrossed in their latest antics to put the book down and go to sleep. Finally my mom would see my light on, come in and tell me I had to call it a night. In the second book the family takes a summer trip to Meadowbrook farm where their cousin Harry lives. More exciting adventures.......at least it seemed so to a 7 year old.

Finally, this last book. The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore, was probably my favorite. . I don't know why exactly but I remember reading this one several times. In this volume they take a trip to the ocean to visit their cousin Dorothy at her seashore home in Ocean Cliffs. Probably I like this one because I loved going to Charleston to the beach.....it was just a two hour drive from where I grew up. We usually only spent a couple of days there at a time......but the Bobbseys spent the entire summer! The Christmas I received all the books was a special one for me. I loved my books! But you know what? That evening I remember my sisters asking me if I wanted to play with some of their new toys. Even then I knew I had special sisters! So I put my books down and we spent the rest of the evening playing......and in the next few days I read some of my books to them. For a second grader it was the best of both worlds.