Vanessa Jane Townsend

Vanessa Jane Townsend (and her sunny alter ego, Sunny Bloom Petal) writes warm playful picture books that celebrate curiosity, courage and compassion - the kind of stories that help kids see how special the everyday can be.

When she's not writing, Vanessa can be found exploring the outdoors with a notebook in hand, laughing too loudly at her own jokes, or talking to the bumblebees that visit her flowers.

Whether she's laughing with children or scribbling story ideas in her garden, Vanessa believes that every giggle and moment of kindness can grow into something beautiful.

Her readers know her as Sunny Bloom Petal - the joyful storyteller who reminds us that real life is full of wonder…if you look closely.

She is proud to be associated with the Tamariki Book Festival and participate in school visits for the Behind the Books programme.