When I was little, I remember so clearly leafing through the Miffy books at our local library and being so drawn to their bright colours and cute designs. I even remember taking them home and tracing over the pictures myself with thin paper and a pencil, so I could have my own Miffy drawings to keep.
Fast forward 30 years, and you can still find the same collection of stories in bookshops and libraries across the world. Miffy, created in Holland by Dick Bruna in 1955, is celebrating 60 years this year and although some of the words have had a modern makeover, the minimalist style of this bright bunny has remained the same.
The collection of 32 books have been translated into more than 50 languages – not bad for a rabbit created by a young father to entertain his son on a summer holiday.
I was thrilled to be asked to review some of the Miffy books as I knew I’d love reading them to my children. Florence now asks for Miffy most bedtimes, and has even slept holding the stories a couple of times. She has a special love for Miffy Goes Flying, and always chooses that one over the rest. I just love the simplicity of the stories and the images, and the bright colours which pop off the page.
We were also sent a Miffy toy which has pride of place in my daughter’s room – she even actually calls her Miffy rather than the standard ‘Peter Rabbit’, which every other rabbit toy is named! We spent a bit of time trying on these Miffy bunny ears too, which resulted in some really funny photos which make my kids look like the best behaved bunch in history! I think I clicked my camera at just the right moment to be honest, a very rare thing!
One day I’d love to visit Utrecht, Dick Bruna’s hometown, to go to the Miffy museum at the writer’s former home. It would be full immersion in Miffy heaven.
Did you read Miffy when you were young – and do your kids like her now? I’d love to know.
x Julia
I was sent some Miffy books and a toy to review, in honour of Miffy’s 60th birthday year. All opinions, however, are my own.
17 Comments
Dawn
September 14, 2015 at 8:12 pmBoth my boys have a miffy .My eldest is 11 and youngest 8 and have had them since they were born. We look them, both are very scruffy but wouldn’t be without them.
P.s …I think you are doing amazing, you’re very inspiring x
sarah christie
September 14, 2015 at 10:42 pmOh I love Miffy books I used o always buy a new one for the boys holiday survival kit and even though they have grown out of them I cant face parting with them x
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Mackenzie Glanville
September 15, 2015 at 6:36 amI guess Miffy wasn’t as big in Australia when I was growing up as I never knew her as a child, however I read them endlessly to my daughters when they were little, I even still sing the Miffy song to my daughter with her name in replacement of Miffy’s, she is super cute! #Twinkly Tuesday
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Mini Travellers
September 15, 2015 at 6:53 amGosh I had no idea there was that many Miffy books, the girls have never had them at all. I should definitely look into buying them some. #twinklytuesday
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Becky, Cuddle Fairy
September 15, 2015 at 9:28 amAh, I can’t believe Miffy is 60! Just goes to show that Miffy is a real classic now. The simple drawings with bright colors are so appealing to little ones. And, having a stuffed animal to hold while listening to the stories would be all the better 🙂 Lovely post hun #TwinklyTuesday x
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Sugar&Rhubarb
September 15, 2015 at 11:44 amoooh I’ve found a pretty new blog to trawl through the archives of!!! Got to love linkys!
I LOVE NIJNTJE!!!! I’m half Dutch so was literally brought up on Miffy books and toys. We actually visited the Nijntje Museum in Utrecht earlier this year before they closed it for refurbishment. It was amazing, plus Utrecht is pretty stunning itself. It was wonderfully interactive and my 2.5 year old at the time spent 4 hours there; she could have spent more!!
We are off to Holland again this weekend and I’m gutted that it’s closed… but I can’t wait for it to reopen!!!
#twinklytuesday
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Mrs Tubbs
September 15, 2015 at 12:10 pmWow, MIffy is really 60?! Unbelievable! When I worked in the children’t library, we had loads of these and the other characters. One of them, Snuffy the dog, was always a boy in the books until “Snuffy’s Puppies” arrived. He had become she! Turns out they’d mistranslated the Dutch in all the previous ones. #twinklytuesday
Su {Ethan & Evelyn}
September 15, 2015 at 1:39 pmI love Miffy too. Such a cute design and their stories are really cute too. I did not know that it has been existence that long! Just show that good designs is timeless. #TwinklyTuesday
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Beth
September 15, 2015 at 3:46 pmWow, 60 years old?! That’s shocking to know!
I have never read these books to my girls but I remember Miffy when I was a child! xx
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Sarah Howe (@RunJumpScrap)
September 15, 2015 at 8:01 pmAww I loved Miffy when I was little. I think I bought a Miffy teddy when I was at Uni! How sad.Lovely thing to review and the littlies look fab in their ears xx #twinklytuesday
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Elizabeth
September 15, 2015 at 8:08 pmI found you via #TwinklyTuesday. We just moved to the Netherlands and were given our first Miffy book by a neighbor. We were in Utrecht last weekend for Open Monuments and walked past the MIffy museum but were not able to go check it out. It is on our list for the next visit and I promise to report back!
Morna
September 15, 2015 at 10:06 pmi love Miffy too! I’ve actually just been contacted to do a Miffy giveaway- I’m super excited and really hope it comes off! My husband was really into the Miffy books when he was little too. Love the Miffy ears.
Helena
September 15, 2015 at 10:08 pmMy sister bought my daughter a baby sleeping outfit with Miffy on it which came all the way from Utrecht with her. I wonder whether we will get Miffy books for Christmas. #TwinklyTuesday
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Caro | The Twinkles Mama
September 15, 2015 at 10:18 pmAaah I LOVED Miffy when I was a little girl!! Oddly, this is not something that I’ve introduced the boys to yet though… I think a library trip is in order!! As their god-mum pointed out to me recently, the library is a magical FREE day out, for little children. What’s not to love about that?! 😉 Thanks for linking us with us on #TwinklyTuesday xx
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Fionnuala
September 16, 2015 at 8:56 amI remember Miffy book at the library too. My friend Emma still adores Miffy and whenever I see a postcard or anything Miffy-related I send it to her.
This is a lovely, nostalgic post. Thanks Julia.
#TwinklyTuesday
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Vicki
September 16, 2015 at 3:25 pmI am a huge Miffy fan & love the simple design & brightly coloured pages. They never seem to go out of fashion. My 7 year old niece also loves this bunny too & whenever I am in Amsterdam I always pick up something Miffy related for her.
http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/
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Kerry
September 16, 2015 at 6:03 pmi had no idea it was that old! Lovely that a children’s book can stay in people’s hearts for such a long time! Xx
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