Maisy (book series)
| Author | Lucy Cousins |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Lucy Cousins |
| Language | English |
| Genre | |
| Publisher | |
| Published | 1990–2025 |
| No. of books | 110 |
Maisy is a British children's book series created by British author Lucy Cousins. Walker Books began publishing the series in the UK in 1990. In the US, the books are published by Candlewick Press.
The series focuses on the everyday experiences of Maisy Mouse and her friends. The books are characterised by their bold graphic illustrations paired with simple, structured storylines.[3]
More than 28 million copies of Maisy books have been sold globally, in 29 different languages. Titles within the series are published in many different formats, including board books, picture books, concept books, interactive books, activity books, and pop-up books.
Creation
Lucy Cousins developed the idea for a children's lift-the-flap book during her final year at the Royal College of Art. The story she wrote was about a four to five-year-old girl getting ready to go for a swim. She illustrated the concept in her signature style, bold black outlines and bright blocks of colour. The titular character, Sally, had knitted and hand-sewn clothes. Upon presenting her mockup to the publishing company Walker Books, editor Wendy Boase suggested the book would be more 'fun' with an animal character. Sally was spontaneously replaced by Maisy Mouse, while the rest of the book remained the same and was published under the title Maisy Goes Swimming in 1990.[4][5]
Cousin draws on a variety of everyday experiences for toddlers, incorporating the playfulness of the childhood imagination. She gathers inspiration for the books from observing her children and grandchildren.[5][6]
Characters
- Maisy (also known as Maisy Mouse) a white mouse with pink ears, whiskers, and tail. She loves to paint and play with her friends.
- Cyril a brown squirrel who is Maisy's best friend.
- Tallulah a yellow chick. She wears a dress and a bow.
- Charley a green crocodile who is very enthusiastic, especially when it comes to food.
- Eddie a large elephant who is a gentle giant. It can be difficult for him to join in games due to his size.
Books
The series features over 100 titles, in different formats including board books, picture books, concept books, interactive books, activity books, and pop-up books.[7]
| # | Title | Book Type | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maisy Goes Swimming | Board book | 1990 | 9780744504286 |
| 2 | Maisy Goes to Bed | 9780744504293 | ||
| 3 | Maisy Goes to Playschool | 1992 | 9780744525069 | |
| 4 | Maisy Goes to the Playground | 9780744525076 | ||
| 5 | Maisy's ABC | Concept book (alphabet) | 1994 | 9781564024190 |
| 6 | Maisy's House: A Pop-up and Play Book | Pop-up book | 1995 | 9780744544121 |
| 7 | Count with Maisy | Concept book (numbers) | 1997 | 9780744552218 |
| 8 | Happy Birthday, Maisy | Interactive book (lift-the-flap) | 1998 | 9780744561142 |
| 9 | Maisy at the Farm: Lift the Flap Pull the Tab | Interactive book (lift-the-flap, tabbed) | 9780744561135 | |
| 10 | Dress Maisy Sticker Book[a] | Activity book | 1999 | 9780744569216 |
| 11 | Maisy and Her Friends Colouring Book | 9780744569247 | ||
| 12 | Maisy Dresses Up | Board book | 9780744567656 | |
| 13 | Maisy Makes Gingerbread | 9780744572186 | ||
| 14 | Maisy's Bedtime | 9780744567649 | ||
| 15 | Maisy's Busy Book | Activity book | 9780744572384 | |
| 16 | Maisy's Pool | Board book | 9780744567663 | |
| 17 | Where Is Maisy?: A Lift-the-Flap Book | Interactive book (lift-the-flap) | 9780744569193 | |
| 18 | Where is Maisy's Panda? | 9780744569209 | ||
| 19 | Happy Christmas, Maisy | 2000 | 9780744575736 | |
| 20 | Maisy Drives the Bus | Board book | 9780763610852 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 21 | Maisy Takes a Bath | 9780613279628 | ||
| 22 | Maisy's Bus | Shaped board book | 9780744572780 | |
| 23 | Where are Maisy's Friends?: A Lift-the-Flap Book | Interactive book (lift-the-flap) | 9780744575323 | |
| 24 | Where Does Maisy Live? | 9780744575330 | ||
| 25 | Doctor Maisy | Board book | 2001 | 9780744589023 |
| 26 | Maisy at the Fair | 9780744572797 | ||
| 27 | Maisy Goes Shopping | 9780744582826 | ||
| 28 | Maisy Likes Driving | Soft book | 9780744581348 | |
| 29 | Maisy Likes Playing | 9780744581331 | ||
| 30 | Maisy's Big Flap Book | Interactive book (lift-the-flap) | 9780763611897 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 31 | Maisy's Farm[b] | Pop-up book | 9780744575873 | |
| 32 | Maisy's Favourite Clothes[c] | Board book | 9780744544084 | |
| 33 | Maisy's Favourite Toys [d] | 9780744544107 | ||
| 34 | Maisy's Garden Sticker Book[e] | Activity book | 9780744557336 | |
| 35 | Maisy's Morning on the Farm | Interactive book (tabbed) | 9780763616113 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 36 | Fun with Maisy[f] | Activity book | 2002 | 9780613747615 |
| 37 | Maisy Cleans Up[g] | Board book | 9780613513159 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 38 | Maisy Goes to Work[h] | Activity book | 9780744589832 | |
| 39 | Maisy Makes Lemonade | Board book | 9780763617295 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 40 | Maisy's Fire Engine | Shaped board book | 9780744592269 | |
| 41 | Maisy's Train | 9780744592252 | ||
| 42 | Maisy's Year | Concept book (seasons) | 9780744592481 | |
| 43 | What's the Time, Maisy? | Interactive book (clock hands) | 9780744592245 | |
| 44 | Go, Maisy, Go! | Concept book | 2003 | 9780744596960 |
| 45 | Maisy's Christmas Eve[i] | Picture book | 9780744557671 | |
| 46 | Maisy's Easter Egg Hunt: A Sticker Book[j] | Activity book | 9780763620714 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 47 | Maisy's Hide-and-Seek Sticker Book | 9780744594942 | ||
| 48 | Maisy's Rainbow Dream | Picture book | 9780744557633 | |
| 49 | Is this Maisy's House? [k] | Pop-up book (carousel) | 2004 | 9781844286690 |
| 50 | Maisy Goes Camping | Picture book | 9781844286614 | |
| 51 | Maisy's Christmas Sticker Book | Activity book | 9781844286645 | |
| 52 | Maisy's Treasure Hunt[l] | Picture book | 9781844286652 | |
| 53 | With Love from Maisy [m] | Interactive book (lift-the-flap) | 9780763625139 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 54 | Ha-ha, Maisy! | Concept book (humour) | 2005 | 9781844286829 |
| 55 | Maisy Goes to the Library | Picture book | 9780763626693 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 56 | Maisy's Paint Book[n] | Activity book | 9781844286782 | |
| 57 | Maisy's Spooky Sticker Book[o] | 9781844286966 | ||
| 58 | Stop and Go, Maisy! | Concept book (opposites) | 9780763626686 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 59 | Sweet Dreams, Maisy | Board book | 9781844287086 | |
| 60 | Maisy, Charley, and the Wobbly Tooth | 2006 | 9781844281862 | |
| 61 | Maisy's First Game Book | Interactive book (game) | 9781844286959 | |
| 62 | Maisy Big, Maisy Small[p] | Concept book (opposites) | 2007 | 9781406304893 |
| 63 | Maisy Goes to Hospital[q] | Picture book | 9781406304909 | |
| 64 | Maisy's Christmas Day | Board book | 2008 | 9781406313628 |
| 65 | Maisy Goes to the Museum | 9781406313369 | ||
| 66 | Maisy Bakes a Cake | Interactive book (tabbed) | 2009 | 9781406314786 |
| 67 | Maisy's Animals | Concept book (animals) | 9781406306934 | |
| 68 | Maisy's Clothes/La ropa de Maisy: A Maisy Dual Language Book | Concept book (bilingual) | 9780744581553 | |
| 69 | Maisy Goes on Holiday[r] | Picture book | 2010 | 9781406323702 |
| 70 | Maisy Goes to the City | 2011 | 9781406327366 | |
| 71 | Hop, Skip and Jump, Maisy! | Interactive book (action) | 2012 | 9781406333725 |
| 72 | Maisy Goes on a Sleepover | Picture book | 9781406337457 | |
| 73 | Maisy's Band | Interactive book (novelty) | 9781406337297 | |
| 74 | Doodle with Maisy | Activity book | 2013 | 9781406344998 |
| 75 | Make with Maisy[s] | 9781406339659 | ||
| 76 | Maisy Learns to Swim | Picture book | 9781406344271 | |
| 77 | Maisy Goes to the Cinema[t] | 2014 | 9781406349542 | |
| 78 | Maisy Plays Football[u] | 9781406354690 | ||
| 79 | Maisy's Christmas Tree | Shaped board book | 9781406356267 | |
| 80 | Maisy's Plane [v] | 9781406352313 | ||
| 81 | Count with Maisy, Cheep, Cheep, Cheep! | Concept book (counting) | 2015 | 9781406357318 |
| 82 | Maisy's Birthday Party Sticker Book | Activity book | 9781406356403 | |
| 83 | Maisy Goes to London | Picture book | 2016 | 9781406358735 |
| 84 | Maisy's Moon Landing: A Maisy First Science Book | Concept book (science) | 9781406364293 | |
| 85 | Beep, Beep, Maisy | Shaped board book | 2017 | 9781406372618 |
| 86 | Maisy Goes to the Bookshop[w] | Picture book | 9781406369847 | |
| 87 | Maisy's Boat[x] | Shaped board book | 9781406369830 | |
| 88 | Maisy Goes to a Wedding | Picture book | 2018 | 9781406378511 |
| 89 | Maisy at Home: A First Words Book | Concept book (first words) | 2019 | 9781406379464 |
| 90 | Maisy Goes to a Show | Picture book | 9781406383539 | |
| 91 | Maisy's Day Out[y] | Concept book (first words) | 9781406379457 | |
| 92 | Maisy Gets a Pet | Picture book | 2020 | 9781406389746 |
| 93 | Maisy's Chinese New Year | Concept book (culture) | 9781406395341 | |
| 94 | Maisy's Surprise Birthday Party | Picture book | 2021 | 9781406395112 |
| 95 | Maisy at Work: A First Words Book | Concept book (first words) | 2022 | 9781529501469 |
| 96 | Maisy Goes on a Nature Walk | Picture book | 9781529501445 | |
| 97 | Maisy's Town: A First Words Book | Concept book (first words) | 9781529501452 | |
| 98 | Maisy Goes to the Dentist | Picture book | 2023 | 9781529512625 |
| 99 | Maisy's Ambulance | Shaped board book | 9781529512601 | |
| 100 | Maisy's Recycling Truck | 9781529512618 | ||
| 101 | Maisy Goes for an Eye Test[z] | Picture book | 2024 | 9781529517514 |
| 102 | Maisy Loves Bees: A Maisy's Planet Book | Concept board book (nature) | 9781536228588 (Candlewick Press) | |
| 103 | Maisy Loves Birds: A Maisy's Planet Book | 9781529510867 | ||
| 104 | Maisy Loves Trees: A Maisy's Planet Book | 9781406351989 | ||
| 105 | Maisy Loves Water: A Maisy's Planet Book | 9781529519884 | ||
| 106 | Maisy Loves Butterflies: A Maisy's Planet Book | 2025 | 9781529523089 | |
| 107 | Maisy Loves Frogs: A Maisy's Planet Book | 9781529523119 | ||
| 108 | Maisy Loves Jungles: A Maisy's Planet Book | 9781529523096 | ||
| 109 | Maisy Loves Ladybirds: A Maisy's Planet Book (Published as Maisy Loves Ladybugs: a Maisy's Planet Book in the US) | 9781529523102 | ||
| 110 | Maisy Goes on a Bike Ride | Picture book | 9781529523126 |
Reception
The Maisy series has sold over 28 million copies globally.[7] The books have been published in 29 languages.[8]
The School Library Journal named Maisy as a "staple in early childhood reading".[9] Rustin noted that Maisy books utilise repetitions and similarities, which is beneficial to child readers as it aids familiarity and understanding.[10] In their book Language development, Rachel Rudman and Felicity Titjen state Maisy books support children's language development and understanding of social relationships and concepts.[11] Maisy has also been recognised for it's positive and equal gender representation in children's media.[12]
Awards
- Mathical Book List (2015-2021) - PreK Honor for Count with Maisy, Cheep, Cheep, Cheep!.[14]
Television adaptations
In 1999, a preschool animated children's television series based on the Maisy books was released. The show ran for one season and consisted of 26 episodes. In 2000, the show won the British Academy Children's Award for Pre-School Animation.[15]
In 2024, a 2D animated television series titled My Friend Maisy entered development. The series is set to be co-produced by Trustbridge Entertainment and BBC Studios Kids & Family. Cecilia Persson, managing director of BBC Studios Kids & Family, stated the show will "embrace the legacy" of Cousin's Maisy books. My Friend Maisy is scheduled for release in 2026.[16]
Notes
- ^ Published as Dress Maisy: A Sticker Book in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Farm: A Pop-Up and Play Set in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Favorite Clothes in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Favorite Toys in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Garden: A Sticker Book in the US
- ^ Published as Fun with Maisy: A Sticker Book in the US
- ^ Later published as Maisy Tidies Up in the UK, AU, & NZ
- ^ Published as Maisy Goes to Work: A Sticker Book in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Snowy Christmas Eve in the US
- ^ US Edition of Maisy's Hide-and-Seek Sticker Book
- ^ Later published as Maisy's House and Garden in the UK, AU, & NZ & Maisy's House and Garden Pop-Up Play Set A Carousel Play Book in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Pirate Treasure Hunt in the US
- ^ Later published as Maisy's Christmas Presents in the UK, AU, & NZ
- ^ Published as Maisy's Easter Paint Book in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Trick-or-Treat Sticker Book in the US
- ^ Later published as Maisy Big, Maisy Small: A Book of Maisy Opposites in the UK, AU, & NZ & Maisy Big, Maisy Small: a Book of Rhyming Opposites in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy Goes to the Hospital in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy Goes on Vacation in the US
- ^ Published as Create with Maisy in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy Goes to the Movies in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy Plays Soccer in the US
- ^ (Published as Maisy Goes on a Plane in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy Goes to the Local Bookstore in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy's Sailboat in the US
- ^ Later published as Maisy's Day Out: A First Words Book in the US
- ^ Published as Maisy Goes to the Eye Doctor in the US
References
- ^ "Maisy collection". Walker Books. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ "Maisy books collection". Candlewick Press. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ McKay, Oona (2025). "The role of multimodality in linguistic meaning-making: analyzing English-language picture books for young children (2-4 years)". Jyväskylän yliopisto.
- ^ Morris, Linda (2016-02-23). "How Lucy Cousins brought Maisy, the pop-up mouse, to life". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ a b Reading, Better (2016-02-01). "Maisy Creator Lucy Cousins on Favourite Characters, the Importance of Fun in Kids' Books and How Her Own Family Influenced Her Work". Better Reading. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ Carter, Jeremy Story (2016-03-04). "Lucy Cousins on how the magic of Maisy Mouse was created". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
- ^ a b "Maisy". Candlewick Press. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ Reading, Better (2016-02-01). "Maisy Creator Lucy Cousins on Favourite Characters, the Importance of Fun in Kids' Books and How Her Own Family Influenced Her Work". Better Reading. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ MA, Cat McCarrey, formerly at Wagner Middle School, TX and Chance Lee Joyner, Tyngsborough PL. "77 Picture Book Series That Encourage Readers to Embrace the Journey | Picture Book Fiction Series". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Rustin, Michael (2016). "Young children and works of the imagination". Infant Observation. 19 (2): 139–148.
- ^ Rudman, Rachel; Titjen, Felicity (2018). Language development. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108402279.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Keith, Thomas (2020). The bro code: The fallout of raising boys to objectify and subordinate women. Routledge. pp. 12–14. ISBN 9780429863974.
- ^ Baggott, Sophie (2014-07-02). "Six winners of Booktrust best book awards unveiled!". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ Mathical Books (2021). "Mathical Book List 2015-2021" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ^ "Children's in 2000". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "Sky Kids brings beloved book character to life with new Sky Original series "My Friend Maisy"". www.skygroup.sky. Retrieved 2025-12-19.