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Did John Lewis 'steal' idea for Moz the Monster from cartoonist's kids' book?

A former children’s laureate has accused John Lewis of stealing his idea for their Moz the Monster Christmas advert.

Author Chris Riddell said the department store had ‘helped themselves’ to his picture book Mr Underbed.

He posted a video on Twitter combining the John Lewis ad with his own book, writing: “John Lewis helps themselves to my picture book”.

Riddell added: “In this age of shrinking publicity budgets it is very generous of John Lewis to devote their Christmas advertising campaign to my 1986 picture book.”

<em>Accusation – Author and former children’s laureate Chris Riddell accused John Lewis of “helping themselves” to his picture book for its Christmas advert (Picture: PA)</em>
Accusation – Author and former children’s laureate Chris Riddell accused John Lewis of “helping themselves” to his picture book for its Christmas advert (Picture: PA)

John Lewis’ hotly-anticipated Christmas advert, unveiled last week, features a boy who befriends a monster which is snoring under his bed.

Riddell told The Guardian: “The idea of a monster under the bed is by no means new but the ad does seem to bear a close resemblance to my creation… I was struck by the similarity of the concept.”

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But John Lewis has defended the advert, saying the “main thrust” of its story was “utterly different” to Riddell’s.

In a statement, it said: “The story of a big hairy monster under the bed which keeps a child from sleeping is a universal tale which has been told many times over many years.

“Ours is a Christmas story of friendship and fun between Joe and Moz The Monster, in which Joe receives a night light which helps him get a good night’s sleep. The main thrust of our story is utterly different to Chris Riddell’s.”