Everyone loves the Mr. Men! The series has been making parents and children laugh since it was created by author and illustrator Roger Hargreaves in 1971. His first ever character, Mr. Tickle, was born when his son Adam asked what a tickle looked like.
Since then the Mr. Men and Little Miss books have gone on to sell over 250 million books worldwide with one selling every 2.5 seconds[1]. The first books introduced children to characters kids still recognise and love today, including the blue Mr. Bump wrapped in bandages, the yellow Mr. Happy with his huge smile, the chaotic Mr. Messy and pink Mr. Greedy eating everything in sight.
The simple, colourful characters were an instant hit, made all the more popular thanks to the iconic 1970s TV series narrated by Arthur Lowe from Dad’s Army. In 1981, the Little Miss characters joined the Mr. Men family, including the much-loved Little Miss Bossy, Little Miss Naughty and Little Miss Sunshine.
Adam Hargreaves took over from his father as the Mr Men author after his death in 1988, so the charming world of Dillydale could live on. The TV series was also remade in 2008 for Channel 5’s Milkshake, this time narrated by Simon Callow bringing the Mr. Men books to life for a new generation.
We think these books are best for kids aged 3-6 but younger children will also enjoy the pocket-sized format and bright illustrations. The short and silly Mr Men stories help kids understand their emotions and all have the moral that nobody’s perfect.
The books can be read in any order so pick the emotion that most appeals to you and your little one and dive in. Why not start with the original series (classic library) and then discover some brilliant spin offs including fairy tales such as Mr Greedy and the Gingerbread Man?
Mr Men Classic Library & Little Miss Classic Library introduces all the characters you know and love plus some new additions to the family. There are 50 Mr Men in the classic library (see below for the full list of Mr Men and here for the full list of Little Miss books)
Mr Men & Little Miss Celebrations includes seasonal characters like Little Miss Birthday and Mr Christmas.
Mr Men & Little Miss Everyday shows the characters getting together to do everyday activities like going to the park or the doctor.
Mr Men & Little Miss Magic is inspired by fairy tales and folklore, such as the Princess and the Pea and the Three Bears.
Mr Men Doctor Who Discover Dr Who reimagined as Mr Men Characters!
