They are round, colorful and unique stories happen to them. The Monsieur Madame have been entertaining children since 1971. The collection, distributed in France by Hachette, is now enriched with a new series dedicated to the French regions. The second issue takes place in Brittany. Explanations with Arnaud Simon, French licensing agent.
They are over 50 years old, how were they born? Mr Madam ?
It all started with a question from a boy: “Daddy, what’s a tickle?” » In response, the father took his pencil and drew Monsieur Chatouille, a man with little legs and big arms. An advertiser in England, he then had the idea of embodying all the character traits in small characters. He self-published in 1971 and sold a million books in three years. The father was Roger Hargreaves and his son Adam. Today, Adam is the one drawing.
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With translations into 17 languages, how do you explain this success?
By its universal dimension, its small format and its low price. Whatever the country and the group, there is a Mr Madam in each of us, even several. From Mr. Grumpy on Monday morning to Mr. Happy on Friday afternoon.
Are they sold a lot in France?
England, the country of birth, is still first, ahead of China which has just passed us. In France, the brand is number 1 on the children’s illustrated book market.
Focus on legendary and mythological Brittany
Why launch a new series?
We’ve been talking for a while, with Hachette, about a series on the French regions. As in Monsieur and Madame travel around the world, the idea is to keep a funny and educational narrative while discovering well-known regional particularities and others that are less so.
In Brittany, what are we talking about?
The author, Marine Baudouin, built the story around legendary and mythological Brittany. But before reaching the Brocéliande forest, the Mr. and Mrs. will eat buckwheat pancakes, play biniou, buy a sailor shirt…
The Monsieur Madames visit Brittany, Hatchet, €2.90.
