Jeanne Willis

Jeanne Willis (born 5 November 1959)^[1] is an English author of several children's books, including The Monster Bed (1986) and the Dr. Xargle's Book of... series (1988–2004). Willis was also a contributor to the authorised Winnie-the-Pooh sequel, The Best Bear in All the World.^[2]

Willis was born 5 November 1959, in St Albans, England to David Alfred and Dorothy Hilda Celia Willis, both of whom were teachers.^[1] She attended Watford College of Art, where she received a diploma in advertising writing in 1979.^[1] She married Ian James Wilcock on 26 May 1989, and the couple has two children.^[1]

As both a child and adult, Willis has had an active imagination, which has sometimes resulted in psychic distress. For instance, she remembers a time as a child when she would believe "wolves were following [her] home from school, so [she'd] arrive back sweating". As an adult, she ended up in Cromwell Hospital's psychiatric ward while she was working in a creative position at an advertising agency.^[3] After her hospitalization, she began writing full-time.^[3]

In January 2004, The Guardian named Willis their Author of the Month.^[3] In October 2011, they included Willis's Big Bad Bun on their list of recommended reading for children aged 5–7.^[4]

• The Tale of Georgie Grub, Andersen Press, 1981, Holt, 1982.
• The Tale of Fearsome Fritz, Andersen Press, 1982, Holt, 1983.
• The Tale of Mucky Mabel, Andersen Press, 1984.
• The Monster Bed, illus. by Susan Varley, Andersen Press, 1986, Lothrop, 1987.
• The Long Blue Blazer, illus. by Susan Varley, Andersen Press, 1987, Dutton, 1988.
• Toffee Pockets, illus. by George Buchanan, Bodley Head, 1992.
• In Search of the Hidden Giant, illus. by Ruth Brown, Andersen Press, 1993,
  • Republished as In Search of the Giant, Dutton, 1994.
• The Lion's Roar, illus. by Derek Collin, Ginn, 1994.
• The Rascally Cake, illus. by Paul Korky, Andersen Press, 1994.
• Two Sea Songs, Ginn, 1994.
• Tom's Lady of the Lamp, illus. by Amy Burch, Macdonald Young, 1995.
• The Princess and the Parlour Maid, illus. by Pauline Hazelwood, Macdonald Young, 1995.
• Wilbur and Orville Take Off, illus. by Roger Wade Walker, Macdonald Young, 1995.
• Dolly Dot, Ginn, 1995.
• Flower Pots and Forget-Me-Nots, Ginn, 1995.
• The Pet Person, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 1996, Dial, 1996.
• The Pink Hare, illus. by Ken Brown, Andersen Press, 1996.
• What Do You Want to Be, Brian, illus. by Mary Rees, Andersen Press, 1996.
• Sloth's Shoes, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 1997, Kane/Miller (Brooklyn, NY), 1998.
• The Wind in the Wallows, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 1998.
• The Boy Who Lost His Belly Button, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 1999, Dorling Kindersley, 2000.
• Susan Laughs, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 1999, Henry, 2000.
• Tinkerbill, illus. by Paul Cox, Collins Publishers, 1999.
• Parrot Goes to Playschool, illus. by Mark Birchall, Andersen Press, 2000, published as Be Quiet, Parrot, Carolrhoda, 2000.
• What Did I Look Like When I Was a Baby, illus. by Tony Ross, Putnam Press, 2000.
• Take Turns, Penguin, illus. by Mark Birchall, Carolrhoda, 2000.
• Be Gentle, Python, illus. by Mark Birchall, Carolrhoda, 2001.
• No Biting, Panther, illus. by Mark Birchall, Carolrhoda, 2001.
• No Biting, Puma, illus. by Mark Birchall, Carolrhoda, 2001.
• Do Little Mermaids Wet Their Beds, illus. by Penelope Jossen, Albert Whitman, 2001.
• Don't Let Go, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 2002, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2003.
• The Truth or Something, Henry Holt & Co., 2002, originally published in England as The Hard Man of the Swings.
• The Boy Who Thought He Was a Teddy Bear: A Fairy Tale, illus. by Susan Varley, Peachtree, 2002.
• I Want to Be a Cowgirl, illus. by Tony Ross, Henry Holt & Co., 2002.
• Sleepover!: The Best Ever Party Kit, illus. by Lydia Monks, Candlewick Press, 2002.
• Rocket Science, Faber & Faber, 2002.
• Naked without a Hat, Faber & Faber, 2003, Delacorte
• When Stephanie Smiled, illus. by Penelope Jossen, Andersen Press, 2003.
• Adventures of Jimmy Scar, Andersen Press, 2003.
• New Shoes, Andersen Press, 2003.
• The Beast of Crowsfoot Cottage, Macmillan Children's Books, 2003.
• I Hate School, illus. by Tony Ross, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2004.
• Shhh, illus. by Tony Ross, Hyperion Books for Children, 2004.
• The Magic Potty Show with Trubble and Trixie, illus. by Edward Eaves, Pan MacMillan, 2004.
• Bits, Boobs and Blobs, illus. by Lydia Monks, Walker Books, 2004.
• Snogs, Sex and Soulmates, illus. by Lydia Monks, Walker Books, 2004.
• Zitz, Glitz and Body Blitz, illus. by Lydia Monks, Walker Books, 2004.
• Manky Monkey, illustrated by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 2004.
• Operation Itchy, illus. by Penny Dann, Candlewick Press, 2005.
• Secret Fairy Talent Show, illus. by Penny Dann, Orchard Books, 2005.
• Misery Moo, illus. by Tony Ross, Henry Holt & Co., 2005.
• Tadpole's Promise, illus. by Tony Ross, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005.
• Never Too Little to Love, illus. by Jan Fearnley, Candlewick Press, 2005.
• Dumb Creatures, illus. by Nicola Slater, Macmillan Children's Books, 2005.
• Daft Bat, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 2006.
• Gorilla! Gorilla, illus. by Tony Ross, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006.
• Really Rude Rhino, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 2006.
• Dozy Mare, Andersen Press, 2006.
• Mayfly Day, Andersen Press, 2006.
• Rat Heaven, Macmillan Children's Books, 2006.
• Grill Pan Eddy, illus. by Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 2007.
• Who's in the Bathroom, illus. by Adrian Reynolds, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007.
• Delilah D. at the Library, illus. by Rosie Reeve, Clarion Books, 2007.
• Killer Gorilla, Andersen Press, 2007.
• The Monster Storm, illus. by Susan Varley, Andersen Press, Lothrop, 1995.

The "Crazy Jobs" books are illustrated by Paul Korky and published by Orchard Books.

• Annie the Gorilla Nanny, 2005.
• Gabby the Vampire Cabby, 2005.
• Jeff, the Witch's Chef, 2005.
• Lillibet, the Monster Vet, 2005.
• Norman the Demon Doorman, 2005.
• Vanessa, the Werewolf Hairdresser, 2005.
• Bert the Fairies' Fashion Expert, 2005.
• Iddy Bogey the Ogre Yogi, 2005.

The Dr. Xargle books are illustrated by Tony Ross. They were published by Anderson in England and E. P. Dutton in the United States.

• Dr. Xargle's Book of Earthlets, 1988 (England)
  • Republished as Earthlets, as Explained by Professor Xargle, 1989 (USA)
• Dr. Xargle's Book of Earth Hounds, Translated into Human, 1989 (England)
  • Republished as Earth Hounds, as Explained by Professor Xargle, 1990 (USA)
• Dr. Xargle's Book of Earth Tiggers, Translated into Human, 1990 (England)
  • Republished as Earth Tigerlets, as Explained by Professor Xargle, 1991 (USA)
• Dr. Xargle's Book of Earth Mobiles, Translated into Human, 1991 (England)
  • Republished as Earth Mobiles, as Explained by Professor Xargle, 1992 (USA)
• Dr. Xargle's Book of Earth Weather, Translated into Human, 1992 (England)
  • Republished as Earth Weather, as Explained by Professor Xargle, 1993 (USA)
• Dr. Xargle's Book of Earth Relations, 1993 (England)
  • Republished as Relativity, as Explained by Professor Xargle, 1994 (USA)

• Author's Website
• Author Profile
• Jeanne Willis at Andersen Press