Robin (magazine) was a British weekly children's magazine published from 1953 to 1969, originally by Hulton Press. Targeting younger readers and pre-readers, Robin was marketed as a "companion to Eagle, Girl, and Swift," three other popular British children's magazines of the era.
Publication History
Robin was launched in 1953 by Hulton Press, a British publisher known for its successful children's publications. Marcus Morris, a Church of England vicar and the creator of Eagle magazine, was the founding editor. The magazine was designed for younger children compared to the readership of Eagle and Swift, focusing on educational content, simple stories, and gentle humor.
In 1959–1960, Hulton Press was acquired by Odhams Press, which was then renamed Longacre Press. This change brought Robin along with other publications under the Longacre banner. Shortly afterward, in 1961, Odhams Press was acquired by Fleetway Publications (formerly Amalgamated Press), a division of the Daily Mirror Group. By 1963, these holdings were consolidated with George Newnes Ltd and Fleetway into the International Publishing Corporation (IPC).
The magazine ceased publication in 1969 when it was merged into Playhour, another IPC children's publication.
Editorial and Artistic Contributions
The magazine was edited by Marcus Morris in its early years, followed later by Clifford Makins by 1962. It featured a range of contributors, including:
The magazine's artistic style was gentle and engaging, tailored to very young readers with bright, colorful illustrations and simple narratives.
Content and Features
Robin combined comic strips, prose stories, and interactive activities. Its pages included:
- Comic Strips: Adventures featuring a mix of original characters and adaptations from popular children's television shows.
- Prose Stories: Fictional tales and real-life stories appropriate for younger children.
- Puzzles and Games: Interactive content such as simple mazes, spot-the-difference, and other puzzles.
- Crafts and Activities: Coloring pages and basic craft projects for young children.
- Poems: Short, rhyming poems aimed at early readers.
- Robin Birthday Club: A club for readers where children could receive a personalized birthday card featuring a robin bird illustration and their membership number.
Notable Comic Strips and Characters
Several recurring characters and comic strips were central to the magazine, including:
- Andy Pandy: Based on the BBC television puppet show of the same name.
- Flower Pot Men: Adapted from the BBC television show Flower Pot Men.
- Harriet and Smith: Featuring Harriet and her cat, Smith.
- Johnny Bull
- Midge the Little Motor-Car
- Princess Tai-Lu: A Siamese cat with magical abilities, accompanied by friends Gwladys, Ivor, Mr. Tonkins, and Jed.
- Richard Lion: Adventures of Richard with friends Henry the Kangaroo, Pug the Bulldog, Peggy the Black Panther, and Nemo the Jester.
- Simon and Sally: Adventures of the twin siblings Simon and Sally.
- Bizzy Beaver: Adventures featuring Bizzy, Ricky Racoon, Boo Bear, and the Beaver family.
- Nutty Noddle: A squirrel whose best friend was Oswald Owl, with his Aunt Scofalot, a tea-drinking lady wearing a tea cozy as a hat.
- Tom the Tractor
- Tubby the Odd-job Engine: The stories of a small tank engine and his driver, Mr. Pickles.
- The Story of Woppit: Adventures of Woppit, a bear-like creature, and his friends Tiptop the Scarecrow, Mokey the Donkey, and Mrs. Bumble. Woppit became famous as the mascot of speed record breaker Donald Campbell.
Annuals and Spin-offs
Robin was supplemented by a series of annuals, the first of which appeared in 1954. These annuals, filled with additional stories, puzzles, and comics, continued until at least 1962, with the ninth edition.
Legacy and Influence
Robin was part of a golden age of British children's publishing, contributing to the development of educational and entertaining content for younger readers. Though it merged with Playhour in 1969, many of its characters and stories remained beloved by readers of that generation. Its approach to gentle humor, moral storytelling, and engaging illustrations left a lasting impact on British children’s media.