Meet the illustrator Lucy Cousins

When I was browsing the library I visit each week I spied this book by Lucy Cousins - Peck Peck Peck. A terrific book for a preschool child. I knew Lucy Cousins wrote the Maisy books but I was unaware of her other titles so I decided to investigate.

Awards

• Ragazzi prize, 1997, for Maisy's House
• National Art Illustration Award high commendation, 1997, for Za Za's Baby Brother
• Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, 2002, for Jazzy in the Jungle

In 2016 Lucy Cousins visited Australia and the blog Kids' Book Review asked her some interview questions. And here is an interview with Better Reading magazine which contains more in vdepth questions and answers. 

From the sunny, see-through cover to the final bedtime snuggle, this day in the life of an overachiever (naughty by human standards) is sure to generate chortles and great interest. Kirkus

About Maisy: "I draw by heart," says Maisy creator Lucy Cousins. "I think of what children would like by going back to my own child-like instincts." And what instincts! With more than 28 million copies sold around the world, Lucy Cousins's Maisy books have been consistently on target when it comes to engaging children. One of the most beloved characters in preschool households today, the good-natured Maisy stars in storybooks, sticker books, a sturdy clock book, mini board books, big flap books, and three-dimensional playsets. Maisy also has her own popular TV show. Her everyday exploits-- familiar to preschoolers everywhere-- gently usher little ones into an exploration of early learning concepts such as colors, numbers, and social themes. Maisy's Fun Club

There are more than one hundred Maisy books!

Due for publication in September 2023

Maisy was honoured with a stamp in 2006. Children’s storybook fans will be delighted that cherished characters from children’s literature are featured on the “Favorite Children’s Book Animals” commemorative stamp pane. The 16-stamp pane, bearing eight children’s storybook characters on 39-cent First-Class stamps, was issued January 10, 2006. The stamps also depict Curious George (“Curious George Flies A Kite” by Margret and H.A. Rey, 1958); Fox in Socks (“Fox in Socks” by Dr. Seuss, 1965); Frederick (“Frederick” by Leo Lionni, 1967); Olivia (“Olivia” by Ian Falconer, 2000); Wilbur (“Charlotte’s Web” written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams, 1952) and Wild Thing (“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, 1963)

Here are some other books by Lucy Cousins. I am very keen to see the Christmas one which contains real letters!

In a considerable change of pace, Cousins steps away from Maisy’s toddler-friendly world for short but briskly savage versions of several classic tales. Kirkus Star review

Here is a review by Betsy Bird for the School Library Journal - I do need to read this book!

As ever, the thick, black lines and eye-catching colors of the pages will catch the interest of everyone from toddlers up to savvy kindergartners. Kirkus Maisy goes to the Bookstore