One of the questions we get most often here at GeekDad is when the best age is to introduce your children to the various geeky things you love. In the last decade or so, there has been a rise in the number of books aimed at little kids that tell science fiction or fantasy stories, but it’s just possible that trend has reached its apotheosis with a new series of books.
If you’re a parent of little geeklets, and a Doctor Who fan, either of “Classic Who” or “New Who” or both, you’ve probably given some thought as to when you can start watching episodes with them. Even the goofiest of the old or new episodes deals with things beyond most little kids’ ability to process. But worry no longer, because a new Mr. Men – Doctor Who mashup is on the case.
You may remember from your own childhood the books of Roger Hargreaves. The Mr. Men series offered (and continues to offer) a whimsical look at emotions, the human body, and various aspects of modern life. And now, you can get versions of those books that offer a whimsical look at the various Doctors.
The first series of the books, titled Dr. First, Dr. Fourth, Dr. Eleventh, and Doctor Twelfth, are short, very entertaining looks at the corresponding Doctors. They even include other well-known characters, including River Song and Missy from the “New Who” era. I don’t want to tell you much more, lest I spoil the joy you’ll get by reading them for the first time, but suffice it to say that the Dr. Fourth book includes both Sarah Jane and a misfit Dalek named “Dale.”
More waves of books are scheduled to follow later this year to cover the other Doctors. The next wave, scheduled to go on sale August 29, 2017, will include the Second, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Doctors.
Anyway, the first four books are on sale now. Trust me, if you’re a Whovian, you’ll enjoy them immensely even if you don’t have kids little enough to be in the Mr. Men target audience. I would also mention that I’m much more a fan of “New Who” than “Classic Who,” but I still really enjoyed Dr. First and Dr. Fourth, so don’t let a bit of unfamiliarity with the specific Doctors stop you from buying them.
Images: Penguin Young Readers.
