Lucy Cousins is an award-winning children’s author and illustrator, best known as the creator of Maisy Mouse. Her bright, bold picture books have introduced generations of young children to reading, and Maisy remains one of the most recognisable characters in children’s publishing. Here’s more about Lucy Cousins and how Maisy came to be.
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Lucy Cousins growing up
Lucy Cousins was born in 1964 and grew up attending school in Kent.
After completing a foundation course at Canterbury College, she went on to study a BA Honours in Graphic Design, followed by a postgraduate degree at the Royal College of Art.
Lucy Cousins creates Maisy
Maisy, the famous mouse, “drew herself” one day when Lucy was doodling various animals on a piece of paper, looking for inspiration. The first Maisy book was published soon after Lucy left college.
Maisy, who also stars in her own television show, has become one of the best-loved characters in children’s books and is recognised the world over.
Lucy won the Bologna Ragazzi Non-fiction Prize in 1997 for Maisy’s House and was Highly Commended for the National Art Illustration Award in 1997 for Za Za’s Baby Brother, with images from that book also used in a publicity campaign by the baby charity Tommy’s.
Jazzy in the Jungle won the Smarties Book Prize in 2002, and Hooray for Fish!, published in 2005, is a celebration of life under the sea.
Lucy lives in Hampshire with her husband and has four children.
Lucy Cousins as artist
Lucy finds that illustration comes more easily to her than writing, which tends to develop around the drawings. “I draw by heart,” she says. “I think about what children would like by going back to my own childlike instincts.” And what instincts they are.
Over her career, Lucy’s books have sold in huge numbers around the world, spanning picture books, sticker books, cloth books, colouring books, board books, pull-the-tab and lift-the-flap books, three-dimensional play sets, and even a clock book.
What inspires Lucy Cousins?
Where does the prolific Lucy — a mother of four — find the energy?
“I’m quite disciplined,” she says of her productivity. “If I’m having an ‘ideas’ day, I just sit at my desk and draw and write until I feel something is happening — though I admit that this is usually helped by a cup of tea, some lively music, and an abundance of sunshine.”
As for outside inspiration, she says she’s sometimes influenced by the work of other artists — as long as those artists are children. “I get more pleasure and inspiration from walking around a primary school than from any art gallery,” she says.
FAQs about Lucy Cousins
Who is Lucy Cousins?
Lucy Cousins is a British author and illustrator, born in 1964, best known for creating the Maisy Mouse picture books.
What is Lucy Cousins best known for?
She is best known for Maisy Mouse, a character who also stars in her own television show and has become one of the most recognisable figures in children’s books.
Has Lucy Cousins won any awards?
Yes. She won the Bologna Ragazzi Non-fiction Prize in 1997 for Maisy’s House, was Highly Commended for the National Art Illustration Award the same year, and won the Smarties Book Prize in 2002 for Jazzy in the Jungle.
Where does Lucy Cousins live?
Lucy Cousins lives in Hampshire, England, with her husband and their four children.
More author profiles you might enjoy
If you enjoyed learning about Lucy Cousins, you might also like our profiles of Holly Webb and Mary Murphy — two more much-loved authors whose books are firm favourites in family bookshelves.
Save this for later
Are you a Maisy fan, or have your children enjoyed Lucy Cousins’ books? Save this article to come back to, and browse our other author profiles for more inspiration on your next family reading pick. Tell us in the comments — we’d love to hear from you.
