Lately, customers of a certain age (I put it at around 25 to 35), have been coming down the back of the store to the kids section, and excitedly asking for 'Grug.' No, I don’t have to send them to Jimmy Watson’s; they’re looking for a grassy little friend from their youth.
Oh, how I loved Grug as a youngster! The Australian answer to the Mr Men books, with simple storylines and colourful illustrations, the Grug books were published between 1979 and 1992. Simon & Schuster has re-released all 24 books this year, much to the joy of those who remember them, and hopefully to the joy of those that don't.
Grug came into being when the grassy top of a Burrawong tree mysteriously grew a face, hands and feet. He’s a happy little chap who lives in a burrow, and even has his own dance, ingeniously called The Grug.
