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.

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.

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.

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.

+ List of Maisy titles by publication year (Walker edition, unless noted) # TitleBook Type Year ISBN1 Maisy Goes SwimmingBoard book 19902 Maisy Goes to Bed3 Maisy Goes to Playschool 19924 Maisy Goes to the Playground5 Maisy's ABCConcept book (alphabet) 19946Maisy's House: A Pop-up and Play BookPop-up book19957Count with MaisyConcept book (numbers)19978Happy Birthday, MaisyInteractive book (lift-the-flap)19989Maisy at the Farm: Lift the Flap Pull the TabInteractive book (lift-the-flap, tabbed)10Dress Maisy Sticker BookActivity book199911Maisy and Her Friends Colouring Book12Maisy Dresses UpBoard book13Maisy Makes Gingerbread14Maisy's Bedtime15Maisy's Busy BookActivity book16Maisy's PoolBoard book17Where Is Maisy?: A Lift-the-Flap BookInteractive book (lift-the-flap)18Where is Maisy's Panda?19Happy Christmas, Maisy200020Maisy Drives the BusBoard book (Candlewick Press)21Maisy Takes a Bath22Maisy's BusShaped board book23Where are Maisy's Friends?: A Lift-the-Flap BookInteractive book (lift-the-flap)24Where Does Maisy Live?25Doctor MaisyBoard book200126Maisy at the Fair27Maisy Goes Shopping28Maisy Likes DrivingSoft book29Maisy Likes Playing30Maisy's Big Flap BookInteractive book (lift-the-flap) (Candlewick Press)31Maisy's FarmPop-up book32Maisy's Favourite ClothesBoard book33Maisy's Favourite Toys 34Maisy's Garden Sticker BookActivity book35Maisy's Morning on the FarmInteractive book (tabbed) (Candlewick Press)36Fun with MaisyActivity book200237Maisy Cleans UpBoard book (Candlewick Press)38Maisy Goes to WorkActivity book39Maisy Makes LemonadeBoard book (Candlewick Press)40Maisy's Fire EngineShaped board book41Maisy's Train42Maisy's YearConcept book (seasons)43What's the Time, Maisy?Interactive book (clock hands)44Go, Maisy, Go!Concept book200345Maisy's Christmas EvePicture book46Maisy's Easter Egg Hunt: A Sticker BookActivity book (Candlewick Press)47Maisy's Hide-and-Seek Sticker Book48Maisy's Rainbow DreamPicture book49Is this Maisy's House? Pop-up book (carousel)200450Maisy Goes CampingPicture book51Maisy's Christmas Sticker BookActivity book52Maisy's Treasure HuntPicture book53With Love from Maisy Interactive book (lift-the-flap) (Candlewick Press)54Ha-ha, Maisy!Concept book (humour)200555Maisy Goes to the LibraryPicture book (Candlewick Press)56Maisy's Paint BookActivity book57Maisy's Spooky Sticker Book58Stop and Go, Maisy!Concept book (opposites) (Candlewick Press)59Sweet Dreams, MaisyBoard book60Maisy, Charley, and the Wobbly Tooth 200661Maisy's First Game BookInteractive book (game)62Maisy Big, Maisy SmallConcept book (opposites)200763Maisy Goes to HospitalPicture book64Maisy's Christmas Day Board book200865Maisy Goes to the Museum 66Maisy Bakes a CakeInteractive book (tabbed)200967Maisy's AnimalsConcept book (animals)68Maisy's Clothes/La ropa de Maisy: A Maisy Dual Language BookConcept book (bilingual)69Maisy Goes on HolidayPicture book201070Maisy Goes to the City 201171Hop, Skip and Jump, Maisy!Interactive book (action)201272Maisy Goes on a SleepoverPicture book73Maisy's BandInteractive book (novelty)74Doodle with MaisyActivity book201375Make with Maisy76Maisy Learns to SwimPicture book77Maisy Goes to the Cinema201478Maisy Plays Football79Maisy's Christmas TreeShaped board book80Maisy's Plane 81Count with Maisy, Cheep, Cheep, Cheep!Concept book (counting)201582Maisy's Birthday Party Sticker BookActivity book83Maisy Goes to LondonPicture book201684Maisy's Moon Landing: A Maisy First Science BookConcept book (science)85Beep, Beep, MaisyShaped board book201786Maisy Goes to the BookshopPicture book87Maisy's BoatShaped board book88Maisy Goes to a Wedding Picture book201889Maisy at Home: A First Words BookConcept book (first words)201990Maisy Goes to a ShowPicture book91Maisy's Day OutConcept book (first words)92Maisy Gets a PetPicture book202093Maisy's Chinese New Year Concept book (culture)94Maisy's Surprise Birthday PartyPicture book202195Maisy at Work: A First Words BookConcept book (first words)202296Maisy Goes on a Nature WalkPicture book97Maisy's Town: A First Words BookConcept book (first words)98Maisy Goes to the DentistPicture book202399Maisy's AmbulanceShaped board book100Maisy's Recycling Truck101Maisy Goes for an Eye TestPicture book2024102Maisy Loves Bees: A Maisy's Planet BookConcept board book (nature) (Candlewick Press)103Maisy Loves Birds: A Maisy's Planet Book104Maisy Loves Trees: A Maisy's Planet Book105Maisy Loves Water: A Maisy's Planet Book106Maisy Loves Butterflies: A Maisy's Planet Book2025107Maisy Loves Frogs: A Maisy's Planet Book108Maisy Loves Jungles: A Maisy's Planet Book109Maisy Loves Ladybirds: A Maisy's Planet Book (Published as Maisy Loves Ladybugs: a Maisy's Planet Book in the US)110Maisy Goes on a Bike RidePicture book

Reception The Maisy series has sold over 28 million copies globally. The books have been published in 29 languages.

The School Library Journal named Maisy as a "staple in early childhood reading". Rustin noted that Maisy books utilise repetitions and similarities, which is beneficial to child readers as it aids familiarity and understanding. 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. Maisy has also been recognised for its positive and equal gender representation in children's media.

Awards BookTrust Best Book Award in 2014 for Peck, Peck, Peck. Mathical Book List (2015–2021) - PreK Honor for Count with Maisy, Cheep, Cheep, Cheep!.

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.

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.

Notes

References