Mr. Happy Finds a Hobby

Mr. Men New Library

by Roger Hargreaves

Mr. Happy is a very happy sort of a person, and wishes for everyone to be happy. When he is out for his walk in the woods, he meets Mr. Grumble, who is fishing and grumbling. Mr. Happy asks why he is doing this. Mr. Grumble responds by saying that he needs something to do as a hobby. Mr. Happy offers to help out finding Mr. Grumble a hobby he likes doing.
They meet Mr. Rush who likes to go fast in his car, but Mr. Grumble hates going fast. Then they meet Little Miss Giggles who loves giggling! They go to the circus to see the clowns, but Mr. Grumble doesn't find them funny. Then they try on fancy hats with Little Miss Splendid, play practical jokes with Mr. Mischief, bounce with Mr. Bounce, and look through keyholes with Mr. Nosey, but try as they cannot find a hobby! After a long day of not finding a hobby, Mr. Happy meets Mr. Impossible who asks his advice for the best hobby Mr. Grumble. Mr. Impossible says it would be impossible, and Mr. Grumble storms off home.
The next day, Mr. Happy had finally got an idea! He runs off to see Mr. Grumble and tells him to take up fishing as a hobby, and what does Mr. Grumble do best? He enjoys to grumble! And that makes him happy!

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Roger Hargreaves was a British cartoonist, illustrator and writer of children's books. He created the Mr. Men series, Little Miss series and Timbuctoo series, intended for young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with bold, brightly coloured illustrations, have sales of more than 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about Mr. Happy helping Mr Grumpy. This has that old wisdom of going on a journey and finding out your answer as right back where you started. It is an Archetype from the beginning of humans.

I thought this was a great story. I enjoyed this one. Adam did the illustrations.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Happy of Happyland, where he rarely heard any grumbling. But one day when walking in the woods he did hear some and he discovered it was Mr Grumble complaining about not catching any fish while fishing in the pond. Not only was Grumble grumbling about no fish but he was also unhappy that he had been sitting there all night and had caught a cold!

He admitted to only being there because Mr Quiet had suggested that he needed a hobby and fishing would be ideal; it obviously was not for Mr Grumble! Mr Happy therefore decided he would find a suitable hobby for Mr Grumble but try as he might he could not do so.

He tried him with Mr Fast, too speedy, Miss Giggles, too giggly, Miss Splendid, too tidy, Mr Mischief, too many practical jokes, Mr Bounce, too bouncy, Mr Nosey, too nosey, and Mr Impossible, who said that it was impossible to find something suitable for Mr Grumpy!

But finally Mr Happy did find something that suited him and I bet you could never guess what it was ... but the idea made him smile, albeit for the first time in a very long time but he smiled all the same!

[Maryam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the collection.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is very kind because he helped to fine Mt.Grumble a hobby however in the end it wasn't necessary!

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is a bit misleading as it’s actually Mr Grumble who wants one. Mr happy just tried to help. They seek the help of other Mr Men and Little Miss, trying on their hobbies for size until Mr Happy finally cracks it. Fabulous colourful illustrations.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is a misnomer. Ha!

[Roland · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a Mr Grumble joint than Mr Happy.