Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea
A Calming Bedtime Story for children aged 3–9
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Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea is a calming children’s bedtime story by author Penelope Willis about new experiences, gentle reassurance and finding a sense of home, even when you are away.
Written by Penelope Willis, a children’s author with over 30 years of experience supporting young children’s emotional wellbeing, whose calming bedtime stories are trusted by families around the world.
This illustrated view of the Royal Hotel is the version that appears in Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea, inspired by the real hotel that watches over Whitby from above.
When Lottie stays at the Royal Hotel in Whitby, she finds herself drawn to the view from her window. As she gazes out across the sea, something quiet and comforting begins to unfold, helping her feel safe, calm, and gently at ease in a new place.A gentle, reassuring story written to help children feel settled, secure, and quietly confident when they are somewhere unfamiliar or away from home.
This soothing story supports bedtime routines and helps children feel safe, comforted, and deeply at ease.
At night, the harbour below is full of soft light, and the little red and white houses glow against the dark. The lamppost, which Lottie has noticed all day, is now lit at last, and its time has come.
Some places feel too special not to include in a story. Whitby’s historic whalebone arch was one of them, and it became part of Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea as Lottie and Barney run beneath it on their seaside adventure.
Discover Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea on Amazon
Also available as a read-aloud
You can also enjoy Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea as a soothing read-aloud on my Under the Moonlight podcast.
Listen here.
About the story
Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea is a quiet, comforting story about new places, gentle change, and finding a sense of belonging wherever you are. Through soft imagery and calming storytelling, children are reminded that even when something feels unfamiliar, they can still feel safe and at home.
This calming picture book offers emotional reassurance and helps children feel settled, supported, and understood, especially during travel or new experiences.
In a cosy hotel room overlooking the sea, Lottie watches the world outside her window, and something quiet and reassuring begins to grow.
With Whitby Abbey watching over the town, Lottie liked the way the wind tugged at her coat and the breeze lifted her hair.
I loved the quiet presence of this Whitby lamppost and the way it seemed to change with the light. In Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea, Lottie notices it too, as though it is waiting for its time to come.
Perfect for children who:
• are experiencing new places or travel
• feel unsure or unsettled away from home
• need extra comfort at bedtime
• benefit from calm, reassuring stories
• love gentle, seaside-inspired storytelling
On a misty day, Lottie looks out of the window and pulls her hoodie around her as the quiet settles over her like a soft blanket.
It felt so special to see Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea in The Whitby Bookshop. Thank you for such a warm welcome and for giving this Whitby-inspired story a home.
From the author
I wrote Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea for children who may be experiencing new places, unfamiliar surroundings, or moments of quiet uncertainty. As someone who has spent many years working closely with young children, I understand how deeply they feel the world around them. This story was created to offer gentle reassurance, helping children feel safe, supported, and quietly guided, even when they are away from home.
My hope is that this book becomes a comforting companion at bedtime, and a story children return to whenever they need calm, connection, and reassurance.
Penelope Willis
With her big imagination, Lottie can turn a quiet seaside moment into a voyage of her own.
As she rows her little boat out to sea, the kind glow of the lamppost guides her back home.
This felt like a real pinch-me moment 🥹
Holding Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea in The Whitby Bookshop meant more than I can say.
Every journey begins with a single quiet moment, and sometimes, looking out at the sea is how we find where we truly belong.
Created with warmth and understanding, Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea is a story children can return to whenever they need comfort, reassurance, and a gentle sense of being held and guided.
Lottie falls asleep dreaming of all the things she saw through the window, from the harbour below to the lights in the dark. It is a calm, comforting ending that feels just right for bedtime.
Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea is a gentle children’s picture book by Penelope Willis, set in Whitby, perfect for bedtime reading and for children learning about new places, travel and finding where they feel safe. Like all Calming Stories for Little People books, it offers reassurance, warmth and emotional comfort for young readers.
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For the moments when a child feels a little unsure…
and needs to feel safe, comforted, and gently at home wherever they are.
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