A children’s author who was left with a broken arm after she was viciously attacked by a teenage mugger last year has bounced back by writing a new book.
Smiling Jean Adamson, 82, added a new title to the popular Topsy and Tim series which has sold over 21 million copies since 1960.
She was inspired to write ”Topsy and Tim Play Football” after seeing
children playing the sport on the village green near her home in Stretham, Cambs.
Jean was attacked in Stretham last August when a teenage yob grabbed her handbag and pushed her to the ground just yards from her home.
The pensioner bravely fought back but had to let go of her handbag and was left with severe bruising all over her body and a broken left arm.
Jean said: ”It was terrifying and left me in pain but I cannot let it get
in the way of my life.
”I’ve had to put it to the back of my mind and get on with things, and
writing is something I have and always will love to do.”
She added that her latest book, which is on sale now along with newly
illustrated titles from the rest of the series, has an unusual ending.
Jean said: ”This one ends with a bit of a fantasy, which is unusual for me. I think children will certainly love it.”
Jean’s attacker, a male aged 15 to 17, has not been traced.
Born in Peckham, London, in 1928, Jean Adamson wrote the first of more than 130 Topsy and Tim titles in 1960 and has sold over 21 million copies since then.
She created the series with her late husband Gareth, who died in 1982, after the pair met while studying art and illustration at Goldsmiths College, London.
They married in 1957 and decided to work together on a children’s book.
Jean was keen to create a realistic story that modern children could relate to and chose a twin boy and girl as the central characters to ensure they would be entirely equal.
Grandmother and mum-of-three Jean received an MBE in 1999 for services to children’s literature.
distantly related to gareth’s uncle sid.have photographs and information (biographical )which family might enjoy.also trying to find out more about aunty molly,her doctorate ,her .writing about india and missionary work. ..would appreciate a contact address,email or something.
distantly related to gareth’s uncle sid.have photographs and information (biographical )which family might enjoy.also trying to find out more about aunty molly,her doctorate ,her .writing about india and missionary work. ..would appreciate a contact address,email or something.