Does anyone else out there remember the Mr. Men and Little Miss series of books and characters from the (*cough*) 80’s? I LOVED this series when I was a little girl. My fondest “happy meal” memories was when Hardee’s put a book and a little figurine in each kid’s meal. I had Mr. Bump and thought he was funny. My mom bought me the kid’s meal because I had changed my baby brother’s diaper – alone – for the first time. No doubt I botched the job up terribly but she rewarded me anyway for being such a big girl helper. Such are my ties to these strange little people.
I was walking in Borders a few months ago and lo and behold! What was on display but Mr. Men & Little Miss! Be still my heart. Nostalgic thoughts. Fond memories. Pure and utter joy to the point of distraction to think that I would have the privilege of introducing my very own son to Little Miss Late, Mr. Silly, Mr. Bounce and a whole host of other definitely-from-the-80’s characters. Oh yes! These are just the best!
I have now had the opportunity to revisit some of my old friends like Little Miss Whoops (sister of Mr. Bump) and Mr. Cool. I still think the stories are funny, but not quite as much as I did when I was five and six. If I had to say what ages these books are ideal for, I would say that they are great for ages 3-6, primarily. Yes, the illustrations are simplistic. The colors may be a bit dull (80’s, you know!) but the characters are lively enough to make up for it. Little Miss Late gets into her usual scrapes of being fired from every job because she is too late for work — except her job of taking care of Mr. Lazy who doesn’t get out of bed until the afternoon anyway. Little Miss Whoops misses her train, takes a boat and accidentally travels out of country on the way to visit her brother. Mr. Silly wanders about Nonsenseland meeting pigs in trousers and chickens carrying umbrellas but these are the things which tickle the funny bone of youngsters. *I* personally (still) think they are adorable. And I am glad to have them back in my life.
Big thanks to Penguin books for reintroducing the little people to the modern world. Really, children should not miss the experience of growing up with the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters. They are timeless pieces of hilarity for the young (or young at heart).
Do any of you have fond memories of these people? Do share!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
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OH yes I loved these books too and I was born in 83! My daughter has only one mr book but then she’s not quite 3 so we have time to collect more. Mr. Nosey was always my brother’s favourite. I haven’t read many miss books actually, mostly mr men.
i have all the collection on mr men and little miss books i dont read them though
I loved these books too! I actually saved a couple of them and passed them on to my boys. I remember Mr. Happy and Little Miss Splendid, and I don’t remember if it was Mr. or Miss Tiny (but I think Mr.).
cool I have to do a book of little miss and mr.men for a school proyect
I loved these, too. I’m going to have to find some for my youngest.
I too loved them! A few years ago, I saw them in a gift ship in the Great Britian area of Epcot and HAD to buy a couple!!
Ha–I think I’m too OLD for them. In the 80’s I was more interested in Trixie Belden.
I read Trixie Belden in the 90’s. ;D (I have the whole set!)
I loved those books, too, and was excited to find them at Epcot several years ago. Now they are easier to find, unfortunately they don’t carry ’80s price tags.
I still have a couple of mine! 🙂
I was always a big fan of Mr. Nosy.
i do rember them verry well and well i think thay realy came out in the late 70’s i had a lot of there books and well i even had one of the mr. men dolls mr. happy i think and well i realy think the books are grate for kids the little miss books came out in the 1980’s and i even had some of them too i also like seeing the t.v. show so does my little one .
I loved these too! I found a Mr. Grumpy book in one of my daughter’s book orders and bought it right away. She loves it! My son has a Mr. Mischief tee shirt, and my daughter has a Little Miss Sunshine shirt. Did you know there is a Mr. and Miss tv show on Cartoon Network right now?
I had no idea about the cartoon. Thanks for sharing! I’m really curious.
I’m embarrassed to say I new about the cartoon first. I think Cartoon Network started it about a year ago. My son loves these characters, and when I started mentioning different things he would do or say related to them, friends of mine said, “I read the books when I was a kid!” I think the reprinting has come from the cartoon series (and you can actually find all kinds of t-shirts, etc at the store). I completely plan on exploring the books!
Cool! I enjoyed those books too! I look forward to getting some for my youngest. They will be perfect for him.
I loved loved loved these books growing up. My kids love them now. Ahhh the memories.
I have a collection of these from when I was little. My dad would bring some every time he came back from a work trip.
The newer ones don’t seem as good, but I’m glad his son is carrying on with the series.
My kids and I watched a cartoon today of one of these characters!! Mr. Rude, was well, quite rude. It was weird to see this post yesterday and then come across the cartoon today…
These were my favorite books to read to myself as a child. I had a TON of them! My best friend gave me some recently as a gift, along with plush toys of several characters. And I’ve given my son many of my old one – he likes them too!
Thanks for this trip down memory lane. 🙂
When I was in 4th grade, I came in 2nd place in a storytelling contest where I recited Little Miss Bossy. I had to do it in front of the entire elementary school! Now I get to read it (and recite it) to my own daughter. I am so glad the author’s son is keeping these books going!
I loved the whole series as a youngster, but Mr Tickle was my fav. The fact i had a plush toy of him probably influences that, remember that toy & series very fondly. born in 75
I loved these books when I was a kid! Now as a teacher I am loving them all over again. I have been reading these books to my kindergarten students to address positive and negative attitudes and behaviors and how they affect ourselves and others. My students love the characters and can easily identify with them. They now go around saying things like, “Pick-up after yourself, you don’t want to be like Mr. Messy.” These books are a great teaching tool!
These books are great! I loved them when I was little, and I introduced them to my third graders. Most of them are struggling readers, and they fell in LOVE with this series. I am so thankful for that b/c it gave them the motivation to read! 🙂
I am 13 and my mom gave me some of those books when i was 5 or 6 and they still make me laugh! 🙂
I am so glad the Mr Men are back – we got back from a couple of years in Hong Kong at the end of 1979 with our 3-year old already hooked on Mr Tickle and his friends and his 1-year old brother wanting to do whatever his brother did, so with them both married now and thinking seriously about producing grandchildren the Mr Men are due for another revival in our household!
Why are the Little Miss & Mr. drawings so small on these websites?
I enlarged my screen and even used the magnifier thingy in the Start menu
I absolutley LOVED these books. I remember when I was alot younger, I had a mr messy on cassette. It was the read along book. It was the best thing ever. I played it so much I broke the tape. Now I can’t find it anywhere. I have looked, it seems like, everywhere online. If anyone should happen to come across it, could you please let me know.