Title says it all, really. A friend of mine who recently reached 40 is looking for a book for her nephew that she remembers from her own childhood. The book is, apparently, titled “Benjamin B”, but she recalls nothing of the author. Anyone out there have some clue what book she’s talking about? I’ve not been able to find anything but ‘Benjamin Bunny’ on either Amazon or Ebay, and I’m wondering if anyone out there in Doperland happens to have, or remember having, this book so that I might narrow my search a bit more susinctly.
OK, I checked my usual sources and here’s what I have found so far:
I checked on Worldcat for any book with “Benjamin B” in the title and the closest I came was a book called “Benjamin and BJ” which was published in the 90s, which would be too late to be the book mentioned.
So a search for all books with “Benjamin” in the title, being childrens books and published before 1970, gives the following:
Benjamin Busybody – 1947
Benjamin Big – 1958
Benjamin Bonneville – 1957
Brave Balloon of Benjamin Buckley – 1963
Benjamin Brownie and the Talking Doll – 1962
Benjamin’s Book – 1933
I also checked out Loganberry Books, which I highly recommend. They have a listing of books called “Stump the Bookseller”, where people give as much of the title and description as they remember and others write in with their answers (the bookseller also will chime in if she knows the answer). The fee for putting your book on the list is $2, and well worth it.
The Benjamins on the solved list:
Benjamin Budge and Barnaby Ball – 1968
Benjamin the True – 1969
Benjamin’s 365 Birthdays
Benjie on his own – 1970
Benjy’s Dog House – 1973
The interesting thing about the last one, “Benjy’s Dog House”, is that the dog in the story is carrying around a white bag with a “B” on it.
If you could get any more information from your friend about characters or plot, it might help.
does she remember anything about the plot?
Well?? Any more information?
If the friend just turned 40, then she was born in 1966. So why limit the search to books published before 1970?
Benjamin B was the main character in the book – I’m looking for a reference to the same book which was how I came across your post… the book may have been called ‘The Adventures of Benjamin B.’ It dates to at least the 1950s, though it could have been '40s, and was written for children probably in the 8-9 year-old range (just a guess…). I came across it sometime after it was written and recall it from childhood as delightful…tems
I also read this book when a child. Read it in 1st grade, so about 1964. Unfortunately, like you, I don’t remember much else about the book. I know that Benjamin B. was the main character of the book, but that’s about all. If you find out anything could you please forward the info to me? Thanks!
Could it perhaps have been Benjamin Bee?
Did anyone ever find this book? Its title, I believe, is The Adventures of Banjamin B – pre 1950s – probably 1940s but possibly 1930s. I have also been looking for a copy for some time – anyone have any leads?
I’m sorry this is not likely to be helpful, but I remember reading this book as a young child in the early 1960s. I loved it so much, I memorized the opening sentence. I remember it to this day, over 60 years later, but don’t remember the story at all. The first sentence of the story was, “Benjamin B lives in a big, white house with his mother and father”…
Try Something Different, by Eva Knox Evans.