ABOUT THE HAPPY THE POCKET MOUSE SERIES/ LA SÉRIE DE YOUPI LA SOURIS DANS MA POCHE:
The Happy the Pocket Mouse/Youpi, la souris dans ma poche series is comprised of 30 stories, (and counting), in all. Illustrated by Andrea Torrey Balsara, and Lisa Ferguson, respectively, the series is about the exciting adventures of Happy/Youpi––a curious, insatiable, adventure-seeking mouse––and his best friend, John/Jean. The first five illustrated books in the series are Mouse Tales, (Les contes de Youpi), Jellybean Mouse, (Youpi et ses bonbons), Mouse Pet, (Un ami pour Youpi), Mouse Vacation, (Youpi en vacances), and Halloween Mouse (not available in French.) If you scroll down this page, you can read synopses and view sample illustrations for each book. Please see the bottom of this page for detailed purchasing options, (including signed copies.)
The first five books in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series, (in English), are as follows:
Mouse Tales, (Book 1 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-55380-262-4.
Mouse Tales, the first volume in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series, has been read to tens of thousands of students across Canada, and has gathered a substantial following. Thanks to the artistic vision of Andrea Torrey Balsara, fans everywhere will delight in witnessing Happy and John in action throughout Mouse Tales. Readers of all ages will identify with Happy’s bedtime struggle after a long day, his request for a story to help him fall asleep, and his nighttime anxieties when he must come to grips with the wicked witch of Grimms’ Hansel and Gretel, the Big Bad Wolf, and his own vision of the “Three Bears.” In a composite reading of the traditional tales, and with a few modern twists thrown in, Mouse Tales delivers a reading experience that suggests you cannot tell the goodness of a person simply by looking at them. Readers will be won over by the insatiably curious and determined little mouse, and his kind and endlessly patient friend, John. Mouse Tales proves that best friends come in all sizes, and guarantees a giggle. Below, find sample illustrations from Mouse Tales:
Reviews of Mouse Tales:
“Brisk, endearing and expressive…the right mix of sweetness and reality…the collaboration between Philip Roy and Andrea Torrey Balsara is marked for great success.”–CanLit for Little Canadians
“Skillfully written…a heartfelt story…enhanced by the vibrant, colourful and expressive illustrations of Andrea Torrey Balsara. This story is destined to become a beloved book, begged to be read aloud, over and over again! Highly Recommended!”–Recently Read
“Mouse Tales, the first volume in the “Happy the Pocket Mouse” series, is a very funny book for children. The interaction between John, the human, and Happy, the mouse, comes to life while offering a humourous take on classic fairy tales and the bedtime routine. Andrea Torrey Balsara’s full-page illustrations help to expand and embellish the story by offering clues only hinted at in the text. The colour palette is perfect, using beautiful blues, greens, and purples to represent the time of night. She also conveys myriad emotions on Happy’s face, giving visual cues to the tone of the dialogue. Mouse Tales is a fun read for bedtime.”–CM Magazine
“What a gem this picture book is!…Tender, yet comical, [Mouse Tales is a] blend of well-known bedtime stories [and] the cutest illustrations…a truly enjoyable read. A great Canadian picture book to add to the elementary library collection for readers of all ages.”–Library Services: Pause & Read
“Well-written, colourfully illustrated, cleverly crafted, this picture book is entertaining as well as a teaching tool for young children and parents.” –Resource Links
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Mouse Tales, (Book 1 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
Jellybean Mouse, (Book 2 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-55380-344-7.
Jellybean Mouse is the second book in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series. In Jellybean Mouse, a “boring” trip to the laundromat to wash their clothes frustrates Happy’s insatiable appetite for adventure. Unfortunately, neither the skating rink nor the bowling alley can entice John away from their mundane task, and so Happy arrives at the laundromat in a funk, only to come face-to-face with his first jellybean machine. Thrilled with the discovery, Happy is confounded for a second time when John explains that he has only enough quarters for the wash. Refusing to give up, Happy makes a careful reconnaissance beneath the washing machines until he finds a quarter of his own. But the stingy machine conspires against the treasure-seeking mouse, steals his quarter, and refuses to release its jellybeans. Unwilling to accept defeat, Happy convinces John to tilt the machine until its sweet treasure spills out in abundance. No adventure is too small for a mouse with a prodigious appetite. Below, find sample illustrations from Jellybean Mouse:
Reviews of Jellybean Mouse:
” . . . a curious child who asks, wonders, listens, and ponders, and looks for a way to get what he wants without being selfish . . . Happy is now as firmly entrenched in my heart as he wanted to be in that jellybean machine.”––Can Lit for Little Canadians
“This second book in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series….is as delightful as the first, and [is] sure to entertain….with its lively banter back and forth between Happy and John. The digital illustrations are colourful and imaginative.”–CM Magazine
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Jellybean Mouse, (Book 2 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
Mouse Pet, (Book 3 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-55380-443-7.
Mouse Pet is the third tale in the endearing picture book series “Happy the Pocket Mouse.” When Happy declares he wants a pet — to pat and feed and take for walks — his friend John says that it’s too much responsibility, that a pet needs lots of care and special attention. Not a mouse to give up easily, Happy insists that his pet will be no more trouble than Mrs. Farrell’s canary. But when Happy’s choice of pet turns out to have long furry legs, hooves and horns, John explains that you can’t keep that kind of animal in the city. Happy insists that they can just hide it under a blanket. Offering a compromise, John suggests a “teddy-pet,” to which, after some reflection, Happy agrees. After bringing his new pet home and settling in happily for the night, Happy suddenly declares that his pet requires a pet of her own. What sort of pet? John asks. Just a small one, Happy assures him, with shiny black fur and a pretty white stripe. Below, find sample illustrations from Mouse Pet:
Reviews of Mouse Pet:
“The dialogue that Philip Roy has created between Happy and John is so endearing and honest that the reader will feel privileged to eavesdrop on their affection and tender conversation….The text is so appealing and yet concise and emotive, and the illustrations by Andrea Torrey Balsara are just as charming. It’s like drinking hot cocoa and eating sweet treats. The anticipation is just as wonderful as the consumption and you’re left with a warm feeling of goodness and sweetness and look forward to another helping soon enough.”—Can Lit for Little Canadians
“Mouse Pet is the third in a series of picture books published by Ronsdale Press….Roy has nailed the child voice. Happy is inquisitive, thoughtful, and logical in an absurdly childish way. For every brilliant idea that Happy comes up with, John has a legitimate adult rebuttal…. Couple Roy’s cheeky story with Andrea Torrey Balsara’s bright, expressive illustration style, and you have a recipe for success. The illustrations, even more than the text, offer humour and a scope for learning…. Happy’s expression throughout is one of childish joy, or wonder, or puzzlement. Balsara’s drawings bring a liveliness to the already cheerful voices of John and Happy as they sort through the logistics of pet ownership. Happy’s innocent joy is contagious; this one will not get old.”–There Will Be Books
*Selected for Best Books for Kids & Teens by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.
*Selected by the Calgary Sun for “Cool Stuff” in their “Life” section.
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Mouse Pet, (Book 3 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
Mouse Vacation, (Book 4 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2016. ISBN: 978-155380-479-6.
In Mouse Vacation, the fourth volume of the Happy the Pocket Mouse picture book series, Happy dreams of where their next adventure will take them. New York? Paris? New Zealand? Perhaps a pilgrimage to the Pyramids or the Taj Mahal? John suggests they compromise. Since vacations are expensive, they plan an overnight bus trip to visit the Tall Ships. Fortunately, Happy is enthralled, and Mouse Vacation reminds us that sometimes life’s greatest pleasures can be found in just the right balance of wonder and simplicity. Andrea Torrey Balsara’s brilliant artistry brings to life the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramids, and other exotic locales with 32 pages of full-colour illustrations. Below, find sample illustrations from Mouse Vacation:
Reviews of Mouse Vacation:
“By having John and Happy working out what it means to take a vacation and finding a way to compromise, Philip Roy has again produced a charming life lesson in a storybook. And Andrea Torrey Balsara flawlessly brings the story to visual completion….the magic is in the collaboration, between the text and illustration, and between John and Happy. That’s what makes the story, and Philip Roy and Andrea Torrey Balsara have done it again, blending the two into a story of adventure for the mind, the heart and the soul.”—CanLit for Little Canadians
“A great curriculum connection for primary children! Highly Recommended! FIVE STARS!”—Recently Read
*Selected for Best Books for Kids & Teens by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Mouse Vacation, (Book 4 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
Halloween Mouse, (Book 5 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2021. ISBN: 978-1-55380-953-0.
Halloween Mouse is the long-awaited fifth book in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series. Gifting fans with this new and delicious “treat” for the eyes, artist Lisa Ferguson’s rich and nuanced illustrations express all the fun and humour of ‘All Hallows’ Eve,’ while giving voice to the fresh perspective of the ever-curious Happy, the pocket mouse, who regards the holiday with wonder. What does Halloween mean to a mouse who has never celebrated it before? Imagine Happy’s fright when the next-door neighbour hangs a ghost on her house. Witness his displeasure at the thought of dressing up and walking door-to-door to beg for treats. (What a nuisance! What are “treats” anyway?) Then, observe the transition in the sweets-loving mouse when he learns that treats mean candy, his very favourite thing. Suddenly, Happy can’t get out the door fast enough! But his best human friend, John, needs a costume, and the only face paint they can find is shoe polish. How can Happy get John ready for trick-or-treating before the other kids take all the candy? And what sort of costume will the little mouse wear? And what happens if you eat too much candy? Join John and Happy for a fun-filled night as John introduces Happy to his very first Halloween. Below, find sample illustrations from Halloween Mouse::
Reviews of Halloween Mouse:
The Happy the Pocket Mouse series has given readers “a unique friendship as the basis for positive messages about curiosity, adaptation, and sharing….Happy is the bright spot of inquisitiveness and heart, eager to learn and experience new things, but always with John by his side for guidance….Lisa Ferguson….emulates the characters and landscapes of the original books with dexterity and feeling….[John and Happy’s]…touching relationship and honest explorations are portrayed with gentle colours and soft lines, even as related to potentially scary Halloween….Roy’s words and…Ferguson’s art…have given us the sweetness of a chocolate bar and the amusement that comes with dressing up, wrapped up in a special friendship that the very young will appreciate.”—CanLit for Little Canadians
“Children will love this story. The full-page, full-colour illustrations in cartoon format depict the rich colours of fall. Jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, bats, children in costume, all help to explain…Halloween…Teachers/caregivers could use Halloween Mouse to introduce and/or discuss the custom of Halloween to young children, and it could also be used with older children, too, who are new to Canada.”–Canadian Review of Materials
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Halloween Mouse, (Book 5 in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
FRENCH RELEASES:
Covers and synopses for the French translations of the Happy the Pocket Mouse/Youpi, la souris dans ma poche series, (Books 1-4), are featured below:
Les contes de Youpi, (French trans. of Mouse Tales, Book 1 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2018. ISBN: 978-155380-529-8.
Les contes de Youpi is the translation into French of the beloved children’s book, Mouse Tales. The first volume in the “Happy the Pocket Mouse” series has been read to thousands of students in Atlantic Canada and Ontario over the past eight years, and has gathered a substantial following. Here, now, French speakers across Canada will be able to enjoy the story by Philip Roy and the wonderfully vibrant illustrations of Andrea Torrey Balsara. Readers of all ages will identify with Youpi’s bedtime struggle after a long day, his request for a story to help him fall asleep, and his nighttime anxieties when he must come to grips with the wicked witch of Grimms’ Hansel and Gretel, the Big Bad Wolf, and his own imagined “Three Bears.” Readers will be won over by the insatiably curious and determined little mouse, and his kind and endlessly patient friend, Jean. Les contes de Youpi proves that best friends come in all sizes, and guarantees smiles and laughter aplenty. To view sample illustrations of Les contes de Youpi, scroll above to the description accompanying the English version, Mouse Tales.
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Les contes de Youpi, (Book 1 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
Youpi et ses bonbons, (French trans. of Jellybean Mouse, Book 2 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2018. ISBN: 978-155380-540-3.
Youpi et ses bonbons is the translation into French of the children’s picture book Jellybean Mouse—the second volume in the Happy the Pocket Mouse series. Youpi is insatiably adventurous, and when his good friend Jean suggests a trip to the laundromat to wash their clothes, Youpi finds it too boring and tries to dissuade him with the suggestion of the bowling alley. But to no avail. Youpi arrives at the laundromat in a funk, only to come face-to-face with his first jellybean machine. Thrilled with the discovery, Youpi is confounded for a second time when Jean explains that he has only enough quarters for the wash. Refusing to give up, Youpi makes a careful reconnaissance beneath the washing machines until he finds a quarter of his own. But the stingy machine conspires against the treasure-seeking mouse, steals his quarter, and refuses to release its jellybeans. Unwilling to accept defeat, Youpi convinces Jean to tilt the machine until its sweet treasure spills out in abundance. No adventure is too small for a mouse with a prodigious appetite for life. To view sample illustrations of Youpi et ses bonbons, scroll above to the description accompanying the English version, Jellybean Mouse.
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Youpi et ses bonbons, (Book 2 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
Un ami pour Youpi, (French trans. of Mouse Pet, Book 3 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2020. ISBN: 978-155380-581-6.
Un ami pour Youpi is the third tale in the endearing French-language picture book series “Youpi, la souris dans ma poche.” When Youpi declares he wants a pet — to pat and feed and take for walks — his friend Jean says that it’s too much responsibility, that a pet needs lots of care and special attention. Not a mouse to give up easily, Youpi insists that his pet will be no more trouble than Mademoiselle Arcand’s canary. But when Youpi’s choice of pet turns out to have long furry legs, hooves and horns, Jean explains that you can’t keep that kind of animal in the city. Youpi insists that they can simply hide it under a blanket. Offering a compromise, Jean suggests a “teddy-pet,” to which, after some reflection, Youpi agrees. After bringing his new pet home and settling in happily for the night, Youpi suddenly declares that his pet requires a pet of her own. What sort of pet? Jean asks. Just a small one, Youpi assures him — with shiny black fur and a pretty white stripe. To view sample illustrations of Un ami pour Youpi, scroll above to the description accompanying the English version, Mouse Pet.
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Un ami pour Youpi, (Book 3 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, see the bottom of this page.
Youpi en vacances, (French trans. of Mouse Vacation, Book 4 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 2020. ISBN: 978-1-55380-605-9.
In this fourth volume, now translated into French, of the beloved “Happy the Pocket Mouse” picture book series, Youpi and his human friend Jean debate where their next adventure should take them. Jean suggests a walk through the forest or a visit to the museum, but these are too lacklustre for Youpi and his thirst for excitement. When Youpi proposes a grand vacation to the likes of New York, Paris, Egypt or India, Jean reasons that those places are too expensive and that they will have to compromise. In the end, Youpi and Jean embark on an overnight bus trip to a seaport to view the Tall Ships, and Youpi is enthralled by these “ghosts of the past.” Andrea Torrey Balsara brings to life the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramids, and other exotic locales with 32 pages of brilliant, full-colour illustrations. To view sample illustrations of Youpi en vacances, scroll above to the description accompanying the English version, Mouse Vacation.
BUY NOW To order signed copies of Youpi en vacances, (Book 4 in la série de Youpi, la souris dans ma poche), e-mail us at leilamerl28@gmail.com, or visit etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. For other purchasing options, please see the section at the bottom of this page.
A HAPPY COLOURING BOOK COMPANION
For more adventures with Happy/Youpi, you can download your free Happy Colouring Book Companion here:
A Happy Colouring Book Companion_ Youpi _ votre compagnon de coloriage (1)“
OPTIONS FOR BUYING PHILIP’S BOOKS:
PRE-ORDERING BOOKS IN ADVANCE OF SCHOOL VISITS
We strongly encourage schools to purchase Philip’s books for their school libraries and/or classrooms well in advance of a visit. Indeed, advance preparation and exposure to Philip’s books always makes a huge difference. For parents and students who would like to pre-order signed copies of Philip’s books, (and have them delivered on the day of the visit), please contact Philip’s wife and publicist, Leila Merl, at LEILAMERL28@gmail.com, (and see steps 1-3 below.) Pre-orders need to be made a few days prior to Philip’s presentation so that books can be properly organized and inscribed beforehand. Digital pre-order forms for books are made available to educators to share with students, (so please ask Leila, or the educators in charge of the visit, for a form if you have not received one.) Please note: All books ordered after a visit do cost more due to shipping fees. When requesting books, please include: 1.) Your child’s full name, grade, and school 2.) Who you would like the book autographed for––(i.e. first name only (?), first name with last name(?), other name(s) (?), etc.) 3.) The title(s) of the book(s) requested. All books can be paid for by an e-transfer to LEILAMERL28@gmail.com.* If you have additional questions about pre-ordering, please e-mail Leila at LEILAMERL28@gmail.com. *(N.B. If you need to pay by cheque, VISA/MC or cash, just ask!) 🙂
OTHER TYPES OF BOOK ORDERS
For all others seeking signed copies of Philip’s books, (or if you would simply like to order books directly through us), e-mail Leila at LEILAMERL28@gmail.com, or visit our online bookshop: etsy.com/ca/shop/BooksbyphiliproyCA. You can also call us at 613-499-9485. Philip’s books can also be purchased through indigo.ca, amazon.ca, amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, BN.com, The Book Depository.com, and Waterstones.com. Philip’s books are also available via his publishers, Ronsdale Press, Nimbus Publishing, Les Éditions Perce-Neige, as well as through Raincoast Books/PGC, Library Bound (LBI), United Library Services (ULS), Whitehots, Tinlids, LitDistCo., GoodMinds.com, Baker & Taylor, Ingram, and SPD. You can also find Philip’s books at fine independent bookstores like Woozles, Tattletales, Carrefour Atlantic and The Puffin Gallery, Westminster Books, The Village Bookshop and the Wellfleet Booksmith at the Wellfleet Marketplace. (Our books can also be ordered in at your local bookstore if they are not already on the shelves.) If you are looking for museums that carry Philip’s Happy the Pocket Mouse series, please be sure to visit The Antique Boat Museum. All of Philip’s books are printed in Canada on responsibly-sourced paper.
Please e-mail Leila at leilamerl28@gmail.com if you’d like to be added to our digital mailing list. (We’ll contact you whenever new titles are out!)