Jeanne Willis (born 5 November 1959) 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.

Biography

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

Awards and honours

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

Publications

Standalone books

"Crazy Jobs" series

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

Dr. Xargle series

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