Founded in Portland, Oregon, Bob Books started when teacher Bobby Lynn Maslen was looking for reading material suitable for children taking their very first steps into reading. When she couldn’t find books interesting enough for her young students, she created the Bob Books. Bobby’s 13 years of teaching experience, and hands-on field testing of Bob Books, means they truly suit the needs of youngsters starting the great adventure of reading. Each new Bob Books reader will soon be able to happily say, “I read the whole book!”® The first books were handmade, inspired by two small dolls that Bobby bought at a craft fair. She named the dolls Mat and Sam and spun stories about them, illustrated with line drawings that the children could copy and color. Articles recommending Bob Books appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, and regional newspapers and magazines around the country. The books had entered the spotlight, and parents wanted Bob Books. The Maslens turned to a major publisher of children’s books, Scholastic, Inc., for help publishing Bob Books. With Scholastic, Bob Books have grown to sixteen titles: five sets of books written by Bobby, five sets by her daughter Lynn Maslen Kertell, and six leveled early reader books. Bob Books have sold millions of copies. Bobby is retired, and lives with original Bob Books illustrator and husband John, in Portland, Oregon.
