Pyjama king Peter Alexander has launched into a new world: children’s books.
And it’s all for a very good cause. Peter Alexander has partnered with the estate of famous kid’s author Roger Hargreaves, of the Mr Men and Little Miss series, to produce a book for the RSPCA.
The book, Little Miss Hug and Penny The Dog, features a character in Alexander’s signature pink, and a dog who’s a little bit different – and it’s based on Alexander’s own pet.
“Penny was my dog and ambassador to the brand, and she had very short legs,” Alexander said. “The book tells the story of how she learns to embrace her difference in the land of Mr Men.”
So what drove Peter Alexander to step into the world of Mr Men? A lifelong commitment to the RSPCA.
“Over the years Peter Alexander has been a huge supporter of the RSPCA,” the charity’s CEO revealed – and with all money from the $9.95 book going straight to its funds, Alexander’s contribution may soon top half a million dollars.
Instead of Penny, Alexander now has two dachshunds and a chihuahua. “I’m a bit like a crazy cat person but with dogs,” he told The Examiner. “Whenever I’m away from them, particularly on the weekend, I feel guilty, so I’ve got to run back to them.”
Mr Men’s original author, Roger Hargreaves, passed away in 1988, but the empire is still handled by his son, Adam, who inspired the first book – Mr Tickle. It’s been one of the biggest earners in children’s publishing, with 85 million books sold worldwide.
And Adam is fully behind Alexander’s new journey. “Little Miss Hug delivers the message that it is important to feel comfortable in your own skin, whether you’re a Mr Tall, Mr Small, Little Miss Bossy or a Mr Greedy – we’re all special in our own unique ways,” he said. “It’s nice to see Little Miss Hug on adventures with Penny – they make a fantastic twosome!”
Alexander’s philanthropy comes as he expands his brand to Tasmania for the first time, with stores in Hobart and Launceston – and since July they’ve become successes in the Tassie shopping landscape.
And the next step? The UK. He’s looking actively into opening a store in London – his first outside Australia and New Zealand, where he has 80 outlets turning over more than $100 million annually.
Personally we’d love to see grown-up pyjamas with Mr Men characters on them – they’d be a great gift for the Little Miss Bossy in everybody’s life. Until then, the book is being sold exclusively in Peter Alexander stores nationwide – pick it up to read to your pooch today.
Image: Little Miss Hug And Penny The Dog for the RSPCA.
