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Tuesday, 21 January, 2003, 08:17 GMT

Mr Men set for comeback

Children's favourites the Mr Men are to be revived, 15 years after the death of their creator Roger Hargreaves.

Hargreave's son, Adam, has written and illustrated a set of new books featuring six new characters - Mr Cool, Mr Rude, Mr Good, Little Miss Bad, Little Miss Scary and Little Miss Whoops.

Their adventures will be revealed later this year in the first commercial publication since the death of Roger Hargreaves in 1988.

Adam took over the running of the multi-million pound Mr Men empire after his father died of a stroke at the age of 53.

He provided the original inspiration for the books when he asked his father what a tickle looked like.

From there, the little round figure, with impossibly long arms and an urge to tickle anyone within reach, was born.

The irrepressible Mr Tickle paved the way for 42 more funny men, including Messrs Happy, Nosey, Greedy and Snow.

A spokesman for publishers Egmont Books said the first four new books would be published in April and the other two in September.

Men talk

  • Mr Tickle cost 15p in 1971
  • The Little Miss books were written for Roger Hargreaves' twin daughters
  • There are 42 characters
  • Arthur Lowe narrated the TV series
  • Though the books were written by Adam he will still credit his father as author.

    More than 100 million Mr Men books have been sold since 1971, making Roger Hargreaves the second best-selling UK author after Harry Potter creator JK Rowling.

    The licensing agreements on the series alone are worth an estimated £130m to the Kent-based business.

    Adam said the simplicity of the characters was the key to their success.

    He said: "My father was very successful in capturing basic human characteristics and turning them into something humorous."


    Related to this story:
    Mr Men celebrate 30 years (29 Oct 01 | England) The Potter phenomenon (15 Nov 02 | Entertainment) Pratchett wins first major award (12 Jul 02 | Entertainment)


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