Roger Hargreaves
Encyclopedia
Charles Roger Hargreaves (9 May 1935 – 11 September 1988) was an English author and illustrator
of children's books, notably the Mr. Men
and Little Miss series, intended for very young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with brightly-coloured, boldly drawn illustrations, have been part of popular culture since 1971, with sales of over 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.
, West Yorkshire to Alfred Reginald and Ethel Mary Hargreaves. He grew up in High Lees at 703 Halifax Road, Cleckheaton, outside of which there now is a commemorative plaque.
. Initially he had difficulty finding a publisher, but once he did the books became an instant success, selling over one million copies within three years. In 1975 it spawned a BBC
animated television series, narrated by Arthur Lowe
. A second series the following year saw newer titles transmitted in double bill format with those from the first series.
By 1976, Hargreaves had quit his day job. In 1981 the Little Miss series of books was launched, and in 1983 it also was made into a television series, narrated by John Alderton
. He voiced the Men and Pauline Collins
voiced the Misses. Although Hargreaves wrote many other children's stories—including the Timbuctoo
series of 25 books, John Mouse and the Roundy and Squarey books—he is best known for his 46 Mr. Men and 33 Little Miss books.
. Then they settled at Sussex House Farm near Cowden
, Kent. Hargreaves died in 1988 at the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Royal Tunbridge Wells
following a stroke. After his death, his son Adam
continued writing and drawing the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters with new stories. However, in April 2004 Hargreaves's wife Christine sold the rights to the Mr. Men characters to the UK entertainment group Chorion
, for £
28 million.
, Giles and twins Sophie and Amelia. The first of the Mr. Men characters is reported to have been created when Adam, at age 6, 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. The book Little Miss Twins was written for Hargreaves' twin daughters.
celebrated what would have been his 76th birthday, 9 May 2011, with a series of 16 Google Doodles on its global homepage.
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
of children's books, notably the Mr. Men
Mr. Men
Mr. Men is a series of 49 children's books by Roger Hargreaves commencing in 1971. Two of these books were not published in English. The series features characters with names such as Mr. Tickle and Mr. Happy who have personalities based on their names...
and Little Miss series, intended for very young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with brightly-coloured, boldly drawn illustrations, have been part of popular culture since 1971, with sales of over 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.
Birth
Hargreaves was born in a private hospital at 201 Bath Road, CleckheatonCleckheaton
Cleckheaton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated south of Bradford, east of Brighouse, west of Batley and south-west of Leeds...
, West Yorkshire to Alfred Reginald and Ethel Mary Hargreaves. He grew up in High Lees at 703 Halifax Road, Cleckheaton, outside of which there now is a commemorative plaque.
Early life
Hargreaves spent a year working in his father's laundry and dry-cleaning business before starting out in advertising. His original ambition was to be a cartoonist, and in 1971, while working as the creative director at a London firm, he wrote the first Mr. Men book, Mr. TickleMr. Tickle
Mr. Tickle is the first book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves.-Overview:Like all Mr. Men, Mr. Tickle has a simplistic look. He is orange with long arms and a small blue hat....
. Initially he had difficulty finding a publisher, but once he did the books became an instant success, selling over one million copies within three years. In 1975 it spawned a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
animated television series, narrated by Arthur Lowe
Arthur Lowe
Arthur Lowe was a BAFTA Award winning English actor. He was best known for playing Captain George Mainwaring in the popular British sitcom Dad's Army from 1968 until 1977.-Early life:...
. A second series the following year saw newer titles transmitted in double bill format with those from the first series.
By 1976, Hargreaves had quit his day job. In 1981 the Little Miss series of books was launched, and in 1983 it also was made into a television series, narrated by John Alderton
John Alderton
John Alderton is an English actor who is best known for his roles in Upstairs, Downstairs, Thomas & Sarah and Please Sir!. Alderton has often starred alongside his wife, Pauline Collins.-Early life:...
. He voiced the Men and Pauline Collins
Pauline Collins
Pauline Collins, OBE is an English actress of the stage, television, and film. She first came to prominence portraying Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs and its spin-off Thomas & Sarah during the 1970s. She later drew acclaim for playing the title role in the play Shirley Valentine for which...
voiced the Misses. Although Hargreaves wrote many other children's stories—including the Timbuctoo
Timbuctoo
Timbuctoo is a series of 25 children's books, written and illustrated by Roger Hargreaves, better known for his Mr. Men series. It was published from 1978–1979. The books tell the stories of a group of animals, each of whom is named after the sound that they make...
series of 25 books, John Mouse and the Roundy and Squarey books—he is best known for his 46 Mr. Men and 33 Little Miss books.
Death
Between 1975 and 1982 Hargreaves lived with his family in GuernseyGuernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
. Then they settled at Sussex House Farm near Cowden
Cowden
Cowden is a small village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the northern slopes of the Weald, south-west of Tonbridge. The old High Street has Grade II listed cottages and village houses, and there is an inn called The Fountain.-History:The...
, Kent. Hargreaves died in 1988 at the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Royal Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent, England, about south-east of central London by road, by rail. The town is close to the border of the county of East Sussex...
following a stroke. After his death, his son Adam
Adam Hargreaves
Adam Hargreaves is an English author and illustrator. The son of Roger Hargreaves, he continues his father's popular Mr. Men series of children's books. Hargreaves also served as inspiration for the series. When at the age of six he asked his father "What does a tickle look like?", Roger used...
continued writing and drawing the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters with new stories. However, in April 2004 Hargreaves's wife Christine sold the rights to the Mr. Men characters to the UK entertainment group Chorion
Chorion (company)
Chorion Limited is a major international media production company with offices in London, New York and Sydney. The company produces TV shows and feature films, and is best known for the heritage properties included in its portfolio. These include children's characters such as Paddington Bear, Peter...
, for £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
28 million.
Family
Hargreaves and his wife had four children: AdamAdam Hargreaves
Adam Hargreaves is an English author and illustrator. The son of Roger Hargreaves, he continues his father's popular Mr. Men series of children's books. Hargreaves also served as inspiration for the series. When at the age of six he asked his father "What does a tickle look like?", Roger used...
, Giles and twins Sophie and Amelia. The first of the Mr. Men characters is reported to have been created when Adam, at age 6, 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. The book Little Miss Twins was written for Hargreaves' twin daughters.
Series by Roger Hargreaves
- Mr Men
- Little Miss
- Walter Worm
- John Mouse
- Albert Elephant, Count Worm and Grandfather Clock
- I am...
- TimbuctooTimbuctooTimbuctoo is a series of 25 children's books, written and illustrated by Roger Hargreaves, better known for his Mr. Men series. It was published from 1978–1979. The books tell the stories of a group of animals, each of whom is named after the sound that they make...
- Hippo Potto and Mouse
- Easy Peasy People (Also by Gray Jolliffe)
- Roundy and Squarey
Appears in other books
Some Mr. Men books have Hargreaves drawn in them. He appears in:- Mr. Small
- Little Miss Star
Legacy
GoogleGoogle
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
celebrated what would have been his 76th birthday, 9 May 2011, with a series of 16 Google Doodles on its global homepage.