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Mr. Men #3
Mr. Happy
Mr. Happy meets Mr. Miserable and is determined to make him happy, too!
They're back! Rediscover the zaniest characters you've ever met in this best-selling series which has sold millions worldwide. Bright and charming, with easily recognizable characters and a small take-along format, Mr. Men and Little Miss books are easy enough for young readers, witty enough for humor-prone adults, and highly collectible for one and all.
They're back! Rediscover the zaniest characters you've ever met in this best-selling series which has sold millions worldwide. Bright and charming, with easily recognizable characters and a small take-along format, Mr. Men and Little Miss books are easy enough for young readers, witty enough for humor-prone adults, and highly collectible for one and all.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
About the author
Roger Hargreaves
1,196 books344 followersCharles Roger Hargreaves was an English author and illustrator of children's books, notably the Mr. Men and Little Miss series, intended for very young readers. He is Britain's third best-selling author, having sold more than 100 million books.
Hargreaves was born in a private hospital at 201 Bath Road, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, England, to Alfred Reginald and Ethel Mary Hargreaves, and grew up in High Lees, 703 Halifax Road, also in Cleckheaton, outside of which there now is a commemorative plaque. He spent a year working in his father's laundry and dry-cleaning business before starting out in advertising. But his original ambition was to be a cartoonist; and, in 1971, while he was working as the creative director at a London firm, he wrote the first Mr. Men book, Mr. Tickle. He initially had difficulty finding a publisher; but, once he did, the books became an instant success, selling over one million copies within three years and spawning a BBC animated television series, narrated and voiced by Arthur Lowe.
By 1976, Hargreaves had quit his day job. In 1981, the Little Miss series of books began to appear. It, too, was made into a television series in 1983, which was narrated by John Alderton, who, with Pauline Collins, voiced the Men and Misses, respectively. Although Hargreaves wrote many other children's stories, including the Timbuctoo series of twenty-five books, John Mouse, and the Roundy and Squary books, he is best known for his 46 Mr. Men books and 33 Little Miss books.
With his wife, Christine, Hargreaves had four children: Adam, Giles, and twins Sophie and Amelia. The first of the Mr. Men characters is reported to have been created when Adam asked his father what a tickle looked like: Hargreaves drew a figure with a round orange body and long, rubbery arms, which became Mr. Tickle.
After Hargreaves died of a sudden stroke in 1988, Adam continued writing and drawing the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters in new stories. However, in April 2004, Christine sold the rights to the Mr. Men characters to the UK entertainment group Chorion, for £28 million.
Hargreaves was born in a private hospital at 201 Bath Road, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, England, to Alfred Reginald and Ethel Mary Hargreaves, and grew up in High Lees, 703 Halifax Road, also in Cleckheaton, outside of which there now is a commemorative plaque. He spent a year working in his father's laundry and dry-cleaning business before starting out in advertising. But his original ambition was to be a cartoonist; and, in 1971, while he was working as the creative director at a London firm, he wrote the first Mr. Men book, Mr. Tickle. He initially had difficulty finding a publisher; but, once he did, the books became an instant success, selling over one million copies within three years and spawning a BBC animated television series, narrated and voiced by Arthur Lowe.
By 1976, Hargreaves had quit his day job. In 1981, the Little Miss series of books began to appear. It, too, was made into a television series in 1983, which was narrated by John Alderton, who, with Pauline Collins, voiced the Men and Misses, respectively. Although Hargreaves wrote many other children's stories, including the Timbuctoo series of twenty-five books, John Mouse, and the Roundy and Squary books, he is best known for his 46 Mr. Men books and 33 Little Miss books.
With his wife, Christine, Hargreaves had four children: Adam, Giles, and twins Sophie and Amelia. The first of the Mr. Men characters is reported to have been created when Adam asked his father what a tickle looked like: Hargreaves drew a figure with a round orange body and long, rubbery arms, which became Mr. Tickle.
After Hargreaves died of a sudden stroke in 1988, Adam continued writing and drawing the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters in new stories. However, in April 2004, Christine sold the rights to the Mr. Men characters to the UK entertainment group Chorion, for £28 million.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
August 12, 2016
I do like Mr Happy: he gets what’s important. As John Lennon once said:
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
Mr Happy knows. Listen to Mr Happy. He’s got the right outlook, optimism pure and simple. It gets him through the day; it gets him through life. So why not try it?
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
Mr Happy knows. Listen to Mr Happy. He’s got the right outlook, optimism pure and simple. It gets him through the day; it gets him through life. So why not try it?
September 7, 2021
One of the most recognizable Mr. Men characters alongside a great uplifting message.
Once Mr. Happy realises that Mr. Miserable was on his own, he instantly invited him back to his house for a chat.
A nice simple message of reaching out to the lonely and vulnerable, we all need to be more like Mr. Happy.
Once Mr. Happy realises that Mr. Miserable was on his own, he instantly invited him back to his house for a chat.
A nice simple message of reaching out to the lonely and vulnerable, we all need to be more like Mr. Happy.
February 24, 2017
The Mr. Mr. series is absolutely splendid works for kids! Especially small ones. They are hilarious and cute and have wonderful little morals! Mr Happy was one of our favourites!
May 1, 2012
My son has been obsessed with smiley faces since an early age. Smiley face balloons, balls, stickers, shirts... all things smiley rate way high for my Sam. This water tower has fascinated him for a few years now:
I blame all this joy on the anti-depressants that must have seeped into my breast milk.
Whatever the case, he's a super happy kid that loves a good smiley face.
His first encounter with the Mr. Happy books happened to be... not a book. In search of valentines, he saw a box of Mr./Little Miss valentines, with smiley on the front, and was instantly smitten. I asked if he had seen the books at his school, and he replied no. He just wanted them because of that happy face! So I got the valentines for him and promptly got some of these books for him. (Mr. Happy, Mr. Strong, Mr. Noisy)
I recalled them for my childhood, and it was a delight re-reading them with my boy.
The stories are silly, the illustrations are bright and bold...
While I feel it's silly to give this book (and entire series) a 5-star, "it was AMAZING" rating, I have to. Because when I peek in on my kid at night and he's zonked out with a smile on his face and one of these books in his hand, it's ... well... it's amazing.
I blame all this joy on the anti-depressants that must have seeped into my breast milk.
Whatever the case, he's a super happy kid that loves a good smiley face.
His first encounter with the Mr. Happy books happened to be... not a book. In search of valentines, he saw a box of Mr./Little Miss valentines, with smiley on the front, and was instantly smitten. I asked if he had seen the books at his school, and he replied no. He just wanted them because of that happy face! So I got the valentines for him and promptly got some of these books for him. (Mr. Happy, Mr. Strong, Mr. Noisy)
I recalled them for my childhood, and it was a delight re-reading them with my boy.
The stories are silly, the illustrations are bright and bold...
While I feel it's silly to give this book (and entire series) a 5-star, "it was AMAZING" rating, I have to. Because when I peek in on my kid at night and he's zonked out with a smile on his face and one of these books in his hand, it's ... well... it's amazing.
June 14, 2021
I never liked Mr. Happy as a child. I'm not sure why; I think he might have seemed overwhelmingly smug to me back then... or perhaps I just didn't trust people who seemed to be happy for no reason.
Returning to this book as an adult I'm more inclined to like him but I do still have some slight issues with the story. Mr. Happy seems to cheer up Mr. Miserable just by taking him outdoors. There's no conversation about why it's better to be happy or any reasons given to be happy... he just takes him outdoors and the pair of them just start rolling around on the floor, laughing like loons, for no reason. I can only conclude they took some illicit substance 'off-panel' as it were.
I love the Mr. Men but this is a weird little book. There is, of course, a good chance I'm overthinking this.
My next book: The First Book of Urizen
Returning to this book as an adult I'm more inclined to like him but I do still have some slight issues with the story. Mr. Happy seems to cheer up Mr. Miserable just by taking him outdoors. There's no conversation about why it's better to be happy or any reasons given to be happy... he just takes him outdoors and the pair of them just start rolling around on the floor, laughing like loons, for no reason. I can only conclude they took some illicit substance 'off-panel' as it were.
I love the Mr. Men but this is a weird little book. There is, of course, a good chance I'm overthinking this.
My next book: The First Book of Urizen
April 23, 2023
Mr. Happy lives in Happyland, where everything there is happy. One day, Mr. Happy goes down a flight of stairs, finds a door into a house, and meets Mr. Miserable, who seems to be eternally depressed. Mr. Happy brings Mr. Miserable to Happyland and encourages him to just smile. This book is a great tool to teach critical thinking in children. Mr. Happy does not do anything specific to get Mr. Miserable to smile and be happy, but one can come to the conclusion that when you are surrounded by people that want you to be happy and you are in an environment that is positive and uplifting, you cannot help but smile and feel the same. This book is the key to what you need in order to be happy and this book is helpful for readers of all ages in making that happen!
May 19, 2018
Mr. Happy has enough happiness for Mr Miserable as well. One day exploring his world, he finds a little down with stairs down to a dreary basement with the most miserable person in the world. Mr. Happy invites him up to his house to be happy. What I like is that Mr. Happy is willing to let Mr. Miserable take his time and get better. It was gradual and Mr. Happy didn’t rush him in the story. Mr Miserable did become happy.
My nephew loved this story. Yeah. Great series.
My nephew loved this story. Yeah. Great series.
January 7, 2014
While in the modern western world man chases fame, fortune and the respect of his peers, in more archaic cultures the ultimate pursuit is for a greater level of understanding or some kind of connection with a higher force. Whatever the culture, man does this for a single reason: because he thinks it will make him happy. This pursuit of happiness is the meaning of life, the always just-out-of-reach goal for humans the world over.
Mr. Happy, the fourth member of the Mr. Men family, is in a state of perpetual happiness. Quite how this state of happiness has been achieved is unclear. He lives in a house of a similar size and style to that of the other Mr. Men we have already met. He displays no obvious trappings of wealth or success, no enviable family from which he may derive some kind of pride or worth and offers no insight, wisdom or religious beliefs.
Happy, we are told, lives in a land called "Happyland" in which all the people, the birds, even the worms are happy. One begins to wonder if our hero is a member of some kind of cult. The next notion is that perhaps My. Happy is under the influence of some kind of narcotic which makes him THINK that the birds and the worms are conversing with him and confirming that they too are enjoying life to the full. So many questions and (given that this is short-form fiction) so little time for answers.
After the scene has been established, Mr. Happy goes for a walk whereupon (and with a nod to the great CS Lewis) he discovers a tiny red door in the trunk of a tree. Behind the door is a small room in which we meet Mr. Happy's alter-ego, Mr. Miserable.
Mr. Miserable is suffering from a textbook case of agoraphobia. And whilst Miserable doesn't obviously experience any kind of panic attack during the course of the story he is clearly displaying symptoms of anxiety. Mr. Happy, with an alarming lack of caution, attempts to win his new patient's trust and prescribes a course of exposure treatment. Happy leads Miserable outside and encourages him to engage with the world.
Whether Miserable actually exists, or is just a manifestation of the buried emotional distress, doubts and fears of Mr. Happy - that's left up to the reader to decide. However, to diagnose our hero as suffering from schizophrenia would be perfectly justified - and the classic 'voices in the head' symptom would certainly solve the talking birds/worms quandary.
In the end though, it matters not how you choose to translate or frame the fable. Mr. Happy is a profound tale - a story that reaffirms the value of human friendship and appeals to society to recognise the devastating affect of mental illness. It's a plea for us to tackle these issues and to those in throe to depression, it's a simple message that there are people who care and who can help.
Simply choosing to tackle a subject and a message of such gravity in a form more suited to frothy, flimsy stories is shocking. What's more shocking however, is the apparent ease and aplomb Hargreaves displays whilst dealing with this thorny issue. Hargreaves isn't just an author of children's fiction, he's a poet, a social activist, the voice of reason and, surely for some... a lifeline. It is our duty to cherish and champion his work.
Mr. Happy, the fourth member of the Mr. Men family, is in a state of perpetual happiness. Quite how this state of happiness has been achieved is unclear. He lives in a house of a similar size and style to that of the other Mr. Men we have already met. He displays no obvious trappings of wealth or success, no enviable family from which he may derive some kind of pride or worth and offers no insight, wisdom or religious beliefs.
Happy, we are told, lives in a land called "Happyland" in which all the people, the birds, even the worms are happy. One begins to wonder if our hero is a member of some kind of cult. The next notion is that perhaps My. Happy is under the influence of some kind of narcotic which makes him THINK that the birds and the worms are conversing with him and confirming that they too are enjoying life to the full. So many questions and (given that this is short-form fiction) so little time for answers.
After the scene has been established, Mr. Happy goes for a walk whereupon (and with a nod to the great CS Lewis) he discovers a tiny red door in the trunk of a tree. Behind the door is a small room in which we meet Mr. Happy's alter-ego, Mr. Miserable.
Mr. Miserable is suffering from a textbook case of agoraphobia. And whilst Miserable doesn't obviously experience any kind of panic attack during the course of the story he is clearly displaying symptoms of anxiety. Mr. Happy, with an alarming lack of caution, attempts to win his new patient's trust and prescribes a course of exposure treatment. Happy leads Miserable outside and encourages him to engage with the world.
Whether Miserable actually exists, or is just a manifestation of the buried emotional distress, doubts and fears of Mr. Happy - that's left up to the reader to decide. However, to diagnose our hero as suffering from schizophrenia would be perfectly justified - and the classic 'voices in the head' symptom would certainly solve the talking birds/worms quandary.
In the end though, it matters not how you choose to translate or frame the fable. Mr. Happy is a profound tale - a story that reaffirms the value of human friendship and appeals to society to recognise the devastating affect of mental illness. It's a plea for us to tackle these issues and to those in throe to depression, it's a simple message that there are people who care and who can help.
Simply choosing to tackle a subject and a message of such gravity in a form more suited to frothy, flimsy stories is shocking. What's more shocking however, is the apparent ease and aplomb Hargreaves displays whilst dealing with this thorny issue. Hargreaves isn't just an author of children's fiction, he's a poet, a social activist, the voice of reason and, surely for some... a lifeline. It is our duty to cherish and champion his work.
March 30, 2024
This is my first Mr Man book, I generally read books that are written by women or about women so I thought I'd branch out and read a book by a man and about a man to get a better understanding of male literature.
Well what did I discover? To be honest, the plot was a little basic. Mr Happy is happy because he lives in Happyland where apparently worms even smile. He comes across Mr Miserable who is sad because he just sits in a room all day. Mr Happy takes him out of his room and he becomes happy. I mean, come on, there is absolutely no depth to these characters. However, the illustrations are grand, and it only took me 2 minutes to read. In fact I think my review is almost longer.
I was disappointed that there are no women at all in this book. Even the happy worm is male (I think).
Would I read any more in the series? Apparently Mr Happy is number 3 so maybe I should have started with Mr Tickle and Mr Greedy to get a better understanding of this land.
I think the book is aimed more towards children, and boy children at that.
Well what did I discover? To be honest, the plot was a little basic. Mr Happy is happy because he lives in Happyland where apparently worms even smile. He comes across Mr Miserable who is sad because he just sits in a room all day. Mr Happy takes him out of his room and he becomes happy. I mean, come on, there is absolutely no depth to these characters. However, the illustrations are grand, and it only took me 2 minutes to read. In fact I think my review is almost longer.
I was disappointed that there are no women at all in this book. Even the happy worm is male (I think).
Would I read any more in the series? Apparently Mr Happy is number 3 so maybe I should have started with Mr Tickle and Mr Greedy to get a better understanding of this land.
I think the book is aimed more towards children, and boy children at that.
December 7, 2017
Folks, if you are feeling miserable - and even if you're not - go read this Mr. Happy book, because it will cheer you up! :D
Favourite lines:
"Why are you miserable?" asked Mr. Happy.
"Because I am," replied Mr. Miserable.
Isn't that the answer we give most people when we're miserable?! ;)
Anyway, go read it if you have it!
Favourite lines:
"Why are you miserable?" asked Mr. Happy.
"Because I am," replied Mr. Miserable.
Isn't that the answer we give most people when we're miserable?! ;)
Anyway, go read it if you have it!
April 13, 2017
My 6 year old niece and I loved this one. Mr. Happy is ever so positive and happy, so how could we not love this story.
October 7, 2014
This book is Stephen King's best yet. The gore is fantastic, the horror is real and you can really feel the character's pain. The torture sequences in particular are fantastic reading. Amazing fiction. Five stars
October 21, 2017
My children and grandchildren have all loved the Mr men books by Roger Hargreaves.
Always a pleasure to read these stories to the children.
Recommended.
Always a pleasure to read these stories to the children.
Recommended.
December 10, 2011
I have very fond memories of these books which were first published in England in 1971. The year my sister was born & I turned six. How thrilled I am that they are still popular after all this time!
December 30, 2017
Cute book I read to my nine year old brother.
February 12, 2024
monsieur heureux rend monsieur malheureux heureux je pense c est un peu ca la clef de l humanite
July 19, 2018
I think a copy of Mr. Happy ought to be in every home, every school, every neurotherapist's and every psychotherapist's office. It is a most delightful book about someone who is happy, someone else who is miserable, and how the one who had been so miserable ends up becoming happy very easily. And even though this little fiction book doesn't bring up science at all, what it has illustrated is in fact what is true about our brains.
April 15, 2017
A short children's story that teaches them how smiling and laughing are contagious :D
December 6, 2017
Turning that frown upside down
6 December 2017 - Sydney
Now I happen to be sitting in the Virgin Australia lounge waiting for my plane to depart (and also bashing on the 'm' key that is being incredibly stubborn). As such I thought it might be an opportunity to read another one of my Mr Men books, and the one that jumped out just happened to be Mr Happy (well, I had been intending on reading this one for a while, but I really started getting sick of lugging my laptop around Sydney). However while I have power (and a power cord), as well as free wifi, I doubt that I am going to get around to actually posting it until I get to Adelaide.
So, I have also noted that this is the third of the series written, and it does show considering that the only other character in the book is Mr Miserable, who pretty much looks like Mr Happy except that he wears a perpetual smile. Actually, Mr Happy meets him while wandering through the forest on one of his daily walks and just happens upon a strange door in a tree. Well, since this is a Mr Men book, and not something written by H.P. Lovecraft, we can safely assume that Mr Happy is not going to be putting his life (or his sanity) in danger by investigating the door. Mind you, there is a bit of an issue with people just wandering into mysterious doors because it could be somebody's home. Then again, this whole idea of privacy is more of a Western thing, and in some parts of the world it is perfectly acceptable to simply wander into people's homes, and it is considered rude to then kick them out – then again these parts of the world do happen to be small villages where everybody knows everybody else and if you are a stranger then you are treated with suspicion.
So then we come to Mr Miserable. I guess, like all of us, he just wants to be happy. Well, being stuck in a room deep in the ground is going to make somebody pretty miserable, especially if you are there by yourself. However, Mr Miserable is quite fortunate, because it seems that he doesn't suffer from clinical depression, but rather situational depression. I suggest this because all it takes to cure him of his perpetual melancholy was to take him back to the surface, which happens to be Happy Land. Sooner, rather than later, that smile becomes incredibly contagious, and suddenly Mr Miserable finds himself doing something he never thought possible – laugh.
I have to admit that Mr Happy was quite fortunate as well, but then again this is a Mr Men book, which means that everything is going to work out all right. However there are people out there that just seem to have this ability to ruin everybody's day in that all the talk about are their problems. Mind you, some people have serious problems, and some people simply do not have the social skills not to create a faux pas. Some people try to solve their problems, while others just seem to be comfortable wallowing in their misery. However, some times all it takes is a friendly smile, and a warm welcome to really brighten up somebody's day. For others, there just seems to only be comfort in wallowing in their sorrows.
6 December 2017 - Sydney
Now I happen to be sitting in the Virgin Australia lounge waiting for my plane to depart (and also bashing on the 'm' key that is being incredibly stubborn). As such I thought it might be an opportunity to read another one of my Mr Men books, and the one that jumped out just happened to be Mr Happy (well, I had been intending on reading this one for a while, but I really started getting sick of lugging my laptop around Sydney). However while I have power (and a power cord), as well as free wifi, I doubt that I am going to get around to actually posting it until I get to Adelaide.
So, I have also noted that this is the third of the series written, and it does show considering that the only other character in the book is Mr Miserable, who pretty much looks like Mr Happy except that he wears a perpetual smile. Actually, Mr Happy meets him while wandering through the forest on one of his daily walks and just happens upon a strange door in a tree. Well, since this is a Mr Men book, and not something written by H.P. Lovecraft, we can safely assume that Mr Happy is not going to be putting his life (or his sanity) in danger by investigating the door. Mind you, there is a bit of an issue with people just wandering into mysterious doors because it could be somebody's home. Then again, this whole idea of privacy is more of a Western thing, and in some parts of the world it is perfectly acceptable to simply wander into people's homes, and it is considered rude to then kick them out – then again these parts of the world do happen to be small villages where everybody knows everybody else and if you are a stranger then you are treated with suspicion.
So then we come to Mr Miserable. I guess, like all of us, he just wants to be happy. Well, being stuck in a room deep in the ground is going to make somebody pretty miserable, especially if you are there by yourself. However, Mr Miserable is quite fortunate, because it seems that he doesn't suffer from clinical depression, but rather situational depression. I suggest this because all it takes to cure him of his perpetual melancholy was to take him back to the surface, which happens to be Happy Land. Sooner, rather than later, that smile becomes incredibly contagious, and suddenly Mr Miserable finds himself doing something he never thought possible – laugh.
I have to admit that Mr Happy was quite fortunate as well, but then again this is a Mr Men book, which means that everything is going to work out all right. However there are people out there that just seem to have this ability to ruin everybody's day in that all the talk about are their problems. Mind you, some people have serious problems, and some people simply do not have the social skills not to create a faux pas. Some people try to solve their problems, while others just seem to be comfortable wallowing in their misery. However, some times all it takes is a friendly smile, and a warm welcome to really brighten up somebody's day. For others, there just seems to only be comfort in wallowing in their sorrows.
May 2, 2018
Before I still this review, I just want to say that my life has been quite difficult recently. My wife left me, and she also took half my income (Rocky divorce). In doing this, the court thought that Im not a fit father, and so i lost custody of my children. All i did was sleep in jacobs bed! He was happy to sleep in the dog kernel, but nooooooo, apparently I cant choose where my own children sleep. Regardless, I have been verging on a state of depression. Whatever molusk of happiness that remained in my pitiful soul was slipping from my grasps, but the bright yellow hands of Mr Happy took charge, and grabbed it by the rhino horns. The worlds that spilled from the piece of literature where more than just words, they were visions and images that painted a picture of a happy world for me. Things looked up, and they still do. All thanks to Mr Happy. btw this book made me gay.
July 31, 2017
I'm left confused and bewildered by how Mr. Miserable is so unhappy living inside a magical tree house...
August 25, 2017
This is a great and fantastic children's book that teaches your child about happiness and its importance in their lives.
September 5, 2014
The book Mr Happy written by Roger Hargreaves tells the story of a character called Mr Happy, who lives in Happyland, a place where even the animals and flowers are happy. One day whilst walking in a wood Mr Happy spots a small door. Inside, Mr Happy meets someone who looks exactly like him but instead of smiling this person is miserable. The character introduces himself as Mr Miserable. Mr Happy tells Mr Miserable to come and stay with him in Happyland. Whilst staying in Happyland, Mr Miserable slowly but surely stops being miserable and begins to smile. The story ends with Mr Happy and Mr Miserable laughing happily together.
Mr Happy is a simple but entertaining story. Like in the other Mr Men books, the personality and appearance of the characters are reflected in the character’s name. The stories often have a moral message or message from the author for example in Mr Happy, Hargreaves finishes the book with ‘if you ever feel as miserable as Mr Miserable used to you know exactly what to do, don’t you? Just turn your mouth up at the corners. Go on!’ The books illustrations are bold and brightly coloured and the characters are recognisable, for example Mr Happy is round and yellow. The simple stories and recognisable characters make this book and the other Mr Men and Little Miss books appropriate for use in reception and Key stage 1. In Key Stage 1, an activity could be to create their own Mr and/or Little Miss book.
Mr Happy is a simple but entertaining story. Like in the other Mr Men books, the personality and appearance of the characters are reflected in the character’s name. The stories often have a moral message or message from the author for example in Mr Happy, Hargreaves finishes the book with ‘if you ever feel as miserable as Mr Miserable used to you know exactly what to do, don’t you? Just turn your mouth up at the corners. Go on!’ The books illustrations are bold and brightly coloured and the characters are recognisable, for example Mr Happy is round and yellow. The simple stories and recognisable characters make this book and the other Mr Men and Little Miss books appropriate for use in reception and Key stage 1. In Key Stage 1, an activity could be to create their own Mr and/or Little Miss book.
May 19, 2018
Think I’m right in stating that as a boy I had all the pre-1990 Mr Men books with the possible exception of “Mr Snow”. Looking at all the covers apart from the latter jogged my memory.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
August 14, 2013
Short and sweet. Both the book and my review. A children's classic, that can be enjoyed with just as much pleasure today as when it was written in 1971. Adorable story about being happy that will keep the attention of all who read it. I read the originals myself as a child in the early 70s and read them again to my children. The illustrations are the type that will have children trying to draw the men themselves and achieving good results. I'm wondering though what the "revised edition" means. The 1997 edition is still currently being published in North America. I have a feeling it may just have had "British-isms" removed but will have to find an early edition to compare someday.
September 30, 2020
excellent book, would recommend
February 9, 2009
Okay, I know this is kind of cheating, but I couldn't resist when I saw these books a Borders. The Mr. Men and Little Miss books are making a comeback - and have tapped into the T-shirt market, too, I've noticed. There's tons of these little books, and I think we read nearly all of them when my kids were little. They are very cute, very quick reads for story time with little ones. I highly recommend them!
These books also make great gifts for little kids, they're just their size, like 5"x5". I'm thinking that a few of my friends may be seeing these in their baby shower baskets... 8-)
These books also make great gifts for little kids, they're just their size, like 5"x5". I'm thinking that a few of my friends may be seeing these in their baby shower baskets... 8-)
December 28, 2012
I read the Mr. men and LIttle Miss books when I was a kid, but a recent trip to London rekindled my love of this classic series. Aside from Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Happy is my favorite Roger Hargreaves book. Not only is it filled with page after page of a giant yellow smile, but it drives home the central philosophy that happiness is a choice. I've lived by that idea my entire life and I love seeing it in a children's book.
August 18, 2013
I absolutely loved these Mr Men and Little Miss books. I remember getting them from my granny every week. There was so much from these simple characters, I remember filling my little bookshelf with all these books making sure I had got them all in right order. I wish I still had these books but somehow most of them got lost with many house moves or my mum gave the rest away. If I ever have kids, I will make sure they get the chance to experience these wonderful, colourful books.
September 2, 2017
Reading the Doctor Who/Mr. Men mashup books made me nostalgic for the Mr. Men of my childhood. I remember poring over the back cover contemplating which Mr.s (and Little Misses) I'd read and hoping my library would get the ones I hadn't. Pretty sure Mr. Happy was one of my favorites then, and I certainly found it to stand the test of time to still be pretty delightful now. Hee! I love the guys rolling around laughing at the end; such infectious happiness makes me smile every time.
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