Under the Moonlight with Penelope Willis

When the day finally grows quiet, our thoughts sometimes seem louder than ever. We lie awake thinking about the people we love, the things we cannot change and all those little worries that somehow feel so much bigger in the darkness. And sometimes, what we need most is someone to remind us that we've done enough for one day, and that it's all right to put our worries down for a little while. In t...

Who Tucks the Grown Ups In? Under the Moonlight with Penelope Willis When we were little, there was something wonderfully comforting about knowing somebody was still downstairs. The quiet footsteps, the clink of a cup, the familiar sounds of someone taking care of the everyday, so that we could simply close our eyes and sleep. But somewhere along the way, we become the person downstairs. In this g...

What if we stopped editing ourselves for people who may not even be thinking about us at all? In this gentle, conversational episode of Under the Moonlight, children’s author Penelope Willis explores something so many of us do without even realising it, worrying about what other people might think before we have even given ourselves the chance to decide what we think. We hold back an idea. We chan...

What if the smallest things we save are the ones that carry the most? In this warm storytelling episode of Under the Moonlight, children’s author Penelope Willis opens the door to an imaginary museum filled with the ordinary pieces of childhood that families cannot quite bring themselves to throw away. A small red welly. A drawing with somebody’s name written backwards. A first curl tucked careful...

What does it mean to stay gentle in a world that sometimes gives us every reason to become harder? In this warm and reflective episode of Under the Moonlight, children’s author Penelope Willis talks about kindness, boundaries and the quiet courage it can take to remain soft after disappointment, hurt or difficult seasons in our lives. We can sometimes mistake strength for toughness. We build walls...

Have you ever walked away from a perfectly ordinary conversation and then spent far too long wondering if you said the wrong thing? In this gentle and relatable episode of Under the Moonlight, children’s author Penelope Willis talks about overthinking, worried thoughts and the things our minds can tell us when we don’t quite know the whole story. Perhaps someone seemed a little quieter than usual....

What difference could a little more kindness make? In this gentle and heartfelt episode of Under the Moonlight, children’s author Penelope Willis reflects on the quiet power of kindness and the simple question she returns to whenever life feels difficult: “What would kindness do?” Kindness cannot remove every sadness, cure every illness or make every disagreement disappear. But it can soften the w...

The Little Grey Feather | A Comforting Read-Aloud Story for Starting School, Nursery and New Beginnings Starting school is a huge milestone, not just for children, but for the grown-ups who love them too. In this special Under the Moonlight read-aloud, Penelope Willis shares The Little Grey Feather, a gentle, reassuring story written to comfort children as they face new beginnings, whether that's...

Sometimes Hope Arrives Quietly What if the smallest, most ordinary moments carried the greatest reminders of hope? In this gentle episode of Under the Moonlight, Penelope Willis shares a chance encounter that touched her heart and has stayed with her ever since. What began as a simple conversation with a young woman and her little dog became a powerful reminder that we can never truly know what to...

What can children teach us about happiness? In this gentle episode of Under the Moonlight, Penelope Willis explores the small everyday moments of joy that children seem to notice so naturally and many adults gradually forget. From puddles and feathers to shells, clouds and ladybirds, children have a remarkable ability to find wonder in ordinary moments. They live in the present, embrace curiosity,...

The Comfort of Gentle Words | Finding Reassurance in a Busy World What if the words we hear, and the words we speak to ourselves, have the power to comfort us more than we realise? In this gentle episode of Under the Moonlight, Penelope Willis reflects on the quiet comfort that kind words can bring during life's more overwhelming moments. Together, we'll explore why so many of us carry worries we...

Why do children become so attached to a favourite teddy, a special toy, a treasured pebble or a beloved bedtime story? In this gentle episode of Under the Moonlight, Penelope Willis explores the comfort of familiar things and why they matter so much to children. From treasured objects carried in little pockets to favourite stories read again and again, we'll reflect on the powerful role that famil...

In this gentle episode of Under the Moonlight, Penelope Willis explores the lasting impact of the words children hear as they grow. From positive affirmation and emotional safety to self-worth, behaviour, and the inner voice children begin to build, this episode reflects on how everyday language can shape a child’s confidence, resilience, and sense of being loved. Perfect for parents, grandparents...

Bedtime story for kids to fall asleep calming sleep story for children toddler bedtime routine story In this calming read aloud episode of Under the Moonlight Podcast, Penelope Willis gently shares her book, Lottie and the Hotel by the Sea, a soothing seaside bedtime story created to help little ones relax, unwind, and fall asleep peacefully. Set in the beautiful seaside town of Whitby and inspire...

Helping children regulate big emotions with calm, connection and gentle parenting strategies. In this gentle episode of Under the Moonlight Podcast, children’s author Penelope Willis explores the quiet but powerful role a calm adult can play in helping children regulate big feelings. Young children experience emotions intensely, but they don’t yet have the tools to calm themselves. Instead, they o...

Small Hearts, Big Changes In this heartfelt episode of Under The Moonlight Podcast with Penelope Willis, we explore how to help young children cope with change, manage big emotions and feel safe during life’s transitions. From starting nursery or school to family separation, house moves and emotional shifts at home, change can feel overwhelming for small hearts. In this episode, Penelope shares pr...

When Bedtime Feels Hard: Gentle, Practical Ways to Help Children Settle Bedtime can be one of the hardest parts of the day for parents. If your child struggles to fall asleep, wakes frequently, seeks extra closeness, or finds bedtime emotionally overwhelming, you are not alone. In this gentle, calming episode of Under the Moonlight with Penelope Willis, we explore why bedtime can feel so hard for...

When children grow up and leave home, parenting doesn’t end, it changes. In this gentle, supportive episode of the Under the Moonlight Podcast, children’s author Penelope Willis explores what it really means to live with an empty nest and a full heart. This episode is for parents whose homes feel quieter than they used to, and who are learning how to hold pride, love, and tenderness all at once as...

Oscar and the Whispering Cloud is a gentle, calming bedtime story read aloud in a soft, soothing voice, like a lullaby in story form. Perfect for listening together with your little one, this relaxing children’s bedtime story helps create a peaceful bedtime routine and a sense of safety and comfort at the end of the day. With slow, reassuring language and a dreamy, calming tone, it’s ideal for win...

After the excitement of Christmas, many young children seek extra closeness, feel more emotional, or struggle to settle back into routines. This can feel worrying for parents, especially if things felt settled before the holidays. In this gentle episode of Under the Moonlight Podcast, Penelope Willis explores why post-Christmas emotional wobbles are so common, what children are really communicatin...

In this gentle read aloud, children’s author Penelope Willis shares her calming bedtime story, Whenever You Miss Me, Look for the Moon, written especially for children, and grown-ups, who are missing someone they love. This soothing story follows Mouse and Squirrel, who live far apart but remain deeply connected by the moon they both see in the night sky. Created to offer comfort during times of s...

✨ UNDER THE MOONLIGHT PODCAST Christmas Cheer Edition By Penelope Willis Looking for calm, joy and a little Christmas magic during the busiest month of the year? This special Christmas Cheer Edition of the Under the Moonlight Podcast is filled with gentle, practical tips to help your little one feel happy, settled and connected all season long. In this festive, family-friendly episode, children’s...

In this calming Christmas episode of the Under the Moonlight Podcast, children’s author Penelope Willis reads aloud her much-loved picture book Oscar and the Star of Christmas Kindness. This gentle, heartwarming story follows young Oscar as he learns how simple acts of kindness can shine just as brightly as any Christmas star. The soothing narration and soft festive atmosphere make this episode pe...

The Ones We Miss, The Love We Keep is a gentle, comforting podcast by Penelope Willis for anyone carrying the quiet ache of missing someone they love. Each episode offers warm reflection, emotional support and calm guidance for navigating grief, long-distance family life, separation and the lingering ache of someone who isn’t here. With a soft, reassuring voice, Penelope speaks about love that con...

In this calming Moonlight Chat, children’s author and early-years educator Penelope Willis explores the real magic children remember — the warm, simple moments of connection that matter far more than presents or perfection. As Christmas approaches, many parents feel pressure to create the “perfect holiday,” but research and years of experience in early childhood show something beautifully reassuri...