About Penelope Willis – Author of Comforting picture books
Penelope Willis is a children’s author known for her gentle, lyrical picture books that help little ones feel calm, safe, and connected. Drawing on her early-years experience, she creates comforting bedtime stories filled with kindness, nature, and quiet wonder.
Her titles include Oscar and the Whispering Cloud, Oscar and the Brave Little Puffin, Oscar and the Shell of Wonder, Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea, Elani and the Sea of Light, and Whenever You Miss Me, Look for the Moon — all part of her growing Calming Stories for Little People collection.
Through her books and resources, Penelope hopes to bring peace and reassurance to families everywhere, one bedtime at a time.
My story
I’m Penelope Willis — a children’s author passionate about writing stories that nurture empathy, comfort, and connection.
For over thirty years, I've worked in early years education, spending my days alongside little ones — sharing stories, listening to their feelings, and learning what truly comforts them. From those moments — reading softly at story time, watching small bodies settle into stillness — I found the inspiration to begin writing my own books.
Through my stories, I gently explore themes of love, reassurance, and resilience — especially for little ones coping with bedtime worries, big feelings, or missing someone special. Each story is written to be a calming bedtime companion, offering warmth, imagination, and comfort to families everywhere.
I hope my books offer a safe and calming place where children feel understood, held, and cared for.
I live in the UK with my husband and find quiet inspiration in the coastlines and natural beauty of Jersey and the Cayman Islands, where island breezes and my family both fill my heart.
Thank you for being here. I hope you find comfort in these stories, and that they become a soft, steady presence in the lives of the little ones you love.
