If you’ve spent any time online lately, chances are you’ve stumbled across a capybara - those gentle, giant rodents who seem to embody pure relaxation. But none are quite as laid-back (or as lovable) as Happy Barry Capybara, the star of James Foley’s latest picture book.

We’re thrilled to welcome James Foley - author, illustrator, long-time friend of StoryBox Hub, and master of quirky storytelling. In this guest post, he shares the unexpected inspiration behind Barry’s creation, the internet’s obsession with capybaras, and how a long drive and a Wikipedia photo sparked a story that’s now winning hearts across Australia.

From cheeky monkeys to banana dilemmas, James gives us a sneak peek into Barry’s next adventure (Gone Bananas, coming in 2026), and reflects on the characters that have stayed with him long after the final page. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Stellarphant or newly smitten with Barry’s unbothered charm, this behind-the-scenes look is sure to delight.

Let’s dive in!

What inspired you to create Happy Barry Capybara - the most chilled-out creature on the savannah?

Two years ago, during term 3 school visits, kids kept mentioning capybaras. I knew a little of them - they were incredibly relaxed and chill, and all over the internet. I visited some schools in Newcastle and the Central Coast and the kids there were particularly obsessed. It took a couple of hours to drive back to Sydney so I had a lot of thinking time; I started writing the story in my head during the drive. I remember calling my editor at Scholastic to talk about the idea on the way. The caracara on Barry's back comes from a photo on wikipedia and google image search, haha!

Happy Barry has become a bit of an overnight sensation - loved by readers of all ages! Why do you think Barry’s laid-back charm resonates so strongly with people?

I think it's to do with the general popularity of capybaras; they are gentle giants who seem to get along so well with other animals. They seem to spend most of their time soaking in water, eating, and cuddling. In these trying times, perhaps we would all like to be as chill and peaceful as the capybaras. Plus they're just super cute!

Your stories are always full of clever twists and memorable characters. How do you come up with your ideas - and what does your creative process look like?

Usually my stories start with a random sketch or an image in my head. But Barry's story started with words. I needed a story that would revolve around the capybara's deserved reputation for relaxation. Could there be a capybara who doesn't want to chill out? Or all the other capybaras are amped up and one capybara teaches them to be chill? When I did some image research, I found lots of pictures of squirrel monkeys interacting with capybaras, and I realised I'd found the natural opposite of the chill capybara - a cheeky monkey. It would be an odd couple with lots of opportunities for conflict. The story wrote itself from there. 

Can you give us a sneak peek into Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas, due for release in 2026?

Harry returns and brings his cousins - Larry, Carrie and Jeff. They share a huge bunch of bananas with Barry but have one left over, and they can't decide who should get it. Harry says they should let Barry decide, but Barry won't (or can't) say - so the four monkeys try increasingly silly ways to gain Barry's favour. 

And finally James, of all the book characters you’ve created, do you have a favourite - and why?
I think Stella from Stellarphant will always have a special place for me - I had the best experience making that book, and I often hear how much the book resonated with readers and their loved ones. I'm very satisfied that it's had a positive ripple effect.