Jeanne Willis
Jeanne wrote her first book when she was five years old and hasn't stopped writing since. She now has over eighty titles to her name, including picture books, novels and television scripts. She has also won numerous awards, including the Children's Book Award, the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the Silver Smarties Prize. Her teen novel, Naked Without a Hat (Faber) was shortlisted for the Whitbread Award in 2004. She often takes inspiration from dreams and interesting conversations with strangers.
Books
#Goldilocks
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+
This cautionary tale about the dangers of oversharing on social media is hilarious and timely, and it should be installed in every classroom in every junior and secondary school.
Boa’s Bad Birthday
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Anderson
Interest age: 2-5
Boa the snake is expecting the best birthday ever, with all his friends bringing him wonderful presents, but things don't turn out quite as he hoped. Each animal brings something that would suit the giver rather than the birthday boy: grand pianos, sunglasses, and mittens aren't much use to someone without fingers, a nose or fingers. So it continues until th…
Chicken Clicking
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 5+
A perfect introduction to internet safety for young children, wrapped up in an imaginative story about a thrill-seeking chick.
Daft Bat
Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+
Bat wants an umbrella to keep her feet dry, thinks clouds are in the sky beneath her, and that her ears may get wet if the river rises.
Dinosaur Olympics
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Arthur Robins
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+
Fast-paced, crammed full of jokes and dinosaur word-play Willis' Downtown Dinosaur series is a perfect match for energetic readers.
Don't Go There
Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Hrefna Bragadottir
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 3-5
A little girl is excited when a Martian comes to play, but there's a problem - he's not toilet trained yet! Little ones will love this charming, funny story about learning to use the loo.
Dr Xargle’s Book of Earthlets
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 4+
Dr Xargle lectures his alien students about 'Earthlets' - strange plump-cheeked beings that are wrapped in sheep's hairdos and like to drink milk through holes in their faces.
Frockodile
Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Stephanie Laberis
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+
Cliff the crocodile discovers a slinky frock and some fabulous peals and heels, and feels divine in them! But when the hyenas laugh at him, he starts to worry about others finding out his secret. A funny picture book that looks at inclusion and acceptance with a light, expert touch.
Killer Gorilla
Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 3+
Mouse begins a perilous search for her lost baby, and just when things look utterly bleak: out jumps a ‘Killer Gorilla’.
Mayfly Day
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+
Mayfly’s first day on earth is also her last. And she is determined to enjoy every minute. From early dawn light to the rising of the moon, Mayfly delights in everything around her.