Roger Hargreaves (1935-1988) was an English author and illustrator best known for his series of children's books featuring the Mr. Men and Little Miss characters. He wrote and illustrated over 80 books in the series, which have been translated into more than 20 languages and sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Hargreaves was born in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, England. He studied at the Bradford School of Art and worked as an art director for an advertising agency before becoming a freelance illustrator. He was inspired to create the Mr. Men series after telling his son a bedtime story about a character named Mr. Tickle. The Mr. Men books feature simple stories and colorful illustrations that appeal to young children. Each book focuses on a different character with a unique personality trait, such as Mr. Happy, Mr. Bump, and Little Miss Sunshine. The books have been praised for their positive messages and for teaching children about emotions and values. Hargreaves' books have been adapted into television series, video games, and other media. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for his contribution to children's literature.