Mr. Tickle: 1 (Mr. Men Classic Story Books)

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He enjoyed the business side of it. The creation of a brand, as it were. As well as simple children's book idea." My mum stayed at the farmhouse and I took over the management of the farm for a few years after he died," explains Adam. While Michael Bond’s Paddington is currently celebrating its heritage at the British Library, the Museum of Brands in West London’s Notting Hill is hosting the “Mr Men Little Miss 50th Anniversary” exhibition. There you can see some of the earliest licensed Mr Men products, from bubble baths to plastic radios to the somewhat ironic Mr Greedy low-fat strawberry yogurt. When an ad man turned an idle doodle into a children’s book 50 years ago, it was the start of a phenomenal global brand.

Mr. Tickle by Roger Hargreaves | Goodreads

He was a larger than life character in all respects," Adam says of his father. "He was 6ft 5in, so very tall and commanded a room. He was really rather ebullient, and had a terrific sense of humour, that I think comes out in the stories. He loved puns, practical jokes and daft humour. But he was a hard worker, and spent a lot of time creating the success of the Mr Men. He explains: "I felt quite strongly about it, especially when I first started writing the stories. I felt they were my dad's. Since the 1990s when I first started writing the books, his name has become part of the brand. Now it's a dual thing – me, for not wanting to take credit for the idea, and also it's part of the brand strength.

But it was also there that tragedy would forever change their lives in a way no one could have imagined. Father-of-four Roger had long harboured ambitions of quitting his job in London and giving up the commute. Adam Hargreaves with some of the characters. Picture: Sanrio

Roger Hargreaves | Open Library Roger Hargreaves | Open Library

I regret the way I felt now as, because my dad died so young, I didn't get to tell him how I felt about Mr Men and what a brilliant idea I think it is," says Adam.The Hargreaves family was hit by a devastating blow in September 1988. The Hargreaves' family home during the 1980s in Cowden. Picture: Knight Frank Watching the documentary 50 Years of Mr. Men the other night has inspired me to return to these beloved childhood favourites.