Mr Men take a trip to China
BRITISH children’s book favourites Mr Men and Little Miss are being adapted to teach good values to youngsters in China.
Ten new stories are being launched to spread positive thinking, kindness, manners, caring for animals and looking after the environment in the emerging global superpower.
The books have been used for decades to promote good behaviour to children in the UK. The makers have designed the new range with some familiar characters such as Mr Strong and Little Miss Hug.
Titles include Day Of Kindness,
Get Moving, Play Their Own Tune and Try Try Again. Caring for creatures and the environment are covered by Animal Adventure and Go Green.
Make A Fruit Salad promotes health and healthy eating, while manners and etiquette is dealt with in Have A Ball.
Alastair Mcharrie, of Sanrio, the Japanese firm which owns the UK brand, said: “People think of Mr Men and Little Miss as a British brand but we’re also strong in places like France, Australia and we’re now seeing big growth in Asia. China in particular is a big growth area.
“We’re about to do our first dedicated series of books there. “There will be 10 titles and the stories will be about emotions and being positive. What people there are looking for is not just fun but education too.”
He said digital only accounts for three per cent of sales for Mr Men and Little Miss books globally, as parents still prefer to read paper books with their children. Mr Mcharrie said: “There is something very nice about being able to read to your child at night with a book.”
The Mr Men characters, created by English author Roger Hargreaves, will celebrate their 50th birthday next year. Mr Tickle was the first character created by Hargreaves back in 1971.
Fans are getting to choose between two new options to become part of the official character line-up.
Sanrio is also planning a new animated television series.
The first TV appearance for Mr Men was in 1974, when 28 animated episodes were produced.