The Happy Hollisters

My 4 year old son LOVES these books, and they really are well written for young kids, along with plenty of illustrations. My only criticism is that because of the time when they were written, there are some either offensive or otherwise problematic elements. There are lots of things to do with playing ‘Indians’, which now would definitely be considered offensive. Also, there is very heavy gender stereotyping, with the girls being only into doll toys and the boys not doing things like sewing. I’m also a little uneasy with how the ‘bad’ kids are basically irredeemable and treated as inherent villains in a very simplistic way. All of that doesn’t make the books overall bad, I’ve just found I’ve needed to take some time to explain to my son that it was written a long time ago and we’ve learned a lot about people since then, so certain things are different now.

Someone gave my parents 12 Red bound Happy Hollister books When I was 8-9. I continued to reread them into my teen years - they called to me when I needed a reminder that of simpler things in life. Imagine my surprise when I had children of my own that my Mom still had those books and gave them to me! They have been read so many time, the binder is aged and week but I love having them on my book shelf and seeing them throughout the day - the reminder of my joy at reading them. I just purchased The Happy Hollisters for my young neighbor with a love of reading and hope to give him the same desire to read them all that I had

I remember as a child in the 70's reading the Happy Hollister series and I only wish I still had the books to share with my 3 children now. If anyone knows how to get these books, please e-mail me at [email protected] I want to order these books to read to my children. Here I am 39 yrs. old and I still remember the impact they made on me. Wonderful, wonderful books.!

I have read the reviews of this book, and just wanted to add mine to your list. The one thing that all of these reviews have in common is that they are all positive...a fitting tribute to these books.My fourth grade teacher (Miss Roediger) read these books to us...one of my classmates was a subsriber to the series, and would bring them to class. To Beatrice and Miss Roediger, thank you! At my insistence, my parents bought me these books in the early-to-mid 60's...a tough time in my life due to my father's absence (courtesy of Uncle Sam and Vietnam). We lived in Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana, and later in Gainesville, Texas. Each time a book would arrive, I would tear the box open and have the book read within a few hours. We moved around a lot back then...but the constants in my life were my family and my extended family...Pete, Pam, Ricky, Holly, Sue, Zip, White Nose, Dave Mead, Ann Hunter, and even Joey Brill and Will Wilson. Shoreham was a gret place to escape to, and I did...many times. The times were simpler, and the reading more enjoyable.I am nearly 44 now. I have been a police officer for 21 years, and I teach at a local community college...and yet I continue to read and re-read, re-living my childhood...long gone, but never forgotten! I can recall each mystery and the outcome.There are still books around....I have the entire series...check used book stores and garage sales...and pass this rich heritage on to your children. This series is, without a doubt, unparalleled in children's reading.

My third grade teacher read one of these to our class in the early 1960s and it opened my mind to the world of reading. Prior to that book, reading was a school chore. I became a club member and got all 33 books. They led to reading Hardy Boys and eventually even to Agatha Christie! They'd be great for a 3rd or 4th grader who is interested in mysteries. They're tame by today's standards but still fun.There are 33 books in the series. They were written by Andrew Svenson under the pen-name Jerry West. ...

I can't say enough about the series of books of the "Happy Hollister's". I also grew up reading these books in the 70's and wishing my mother hadn't given the books away. The characters are uplifting and wholesome. I now have children who would benefit from reading these great wholesome story books. (Myself, too! again.) I have looked everywhere for the series of books and haven't found a one. So I am looking for any and all books I can find. If you're reading just one book for the first time, you will want to read all of them. They are better than any other childhood books that have ever been on the market then and even now. A worthwhile investment. Happy searching and Happy reading.