About Me
Vanessa Jane Townsend (and her sunny alter ego, Sunny Bloom Petal) writes picture books that celebrate curiosity, courage, compassion, humour and wonder in real life - the kind of stories that help kids see how special the everyday can be.
When she's not writing, Sunny 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, muddy puddle, 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 wonderβ¦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.
Qualifications:
NZIBS Diploma in Writing Stories for Children - graduated with Excellence.
Short Story competition credits:
2026 Fusilli Writing, 200 word comp (Feb) - Shortlisted 'Hive of Activity'
Warm
Curious
Unique
Fun
About Me
Vanessa Jane Townsend (and her sunny alter ego, Sunny Bloom Petal) writes picture books that celebrate curiosity, courage, compassion, humour and wonder in real life - the kind of stories that help kids see how special the everyday can be.
When she's not writing, Sunny 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, muddy puddle, 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 wonderβ¦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.
Qualifications:
NZIBS Diploma in Writing Stories for Children - graduated with Excellence.
Short Story competition credits:
2026 Fusilli Writing, 200 word comp (Feb) - Shortlisted 'Hive of Activity'
Warm
Curious
Unique
Fun
Picture Books
Picture Books
Emma's Turn at the Fair
My latest creation has been a labour of love and a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with illustrator Sumitra Lokras and editor John Fox at Bookfox Press.
Emma's Turn at the Fair
My latest creation has been a labour of love and a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with illustrator Sumitra Lokras and editor John Fox at Bookfox Press
A cheeky sibling-centered story about fairness and the courage to find your voice.
Emma's sister won't let her make any decisions at the Town Fair, so Emma makes some funny potty jokes instead.
The sisters get separated and when Emma is found, she confronts her older sister about her wish to take a turn choosing what they do.
Will Emma finally get a turn to choose?
Sibling dynamics can be really hard to navigate at times
especially for 2 to 5 year olds.
Emmaβs Turn at the Fair helps kids understand that...
We all have different personalities and needs.
Itβs okay to want something, and then not get it.
It takes courage to express our feelings clearly.
Itβs okay to ask for what we want.
Boys and girls will learn that it is okay to stand up for oneself to be heard. When we say how we feel and express our wishes, we learn each otherβs likes or dislikes.
Taking turns is fun - for you and me.
A cheeky sibling-centered story about fairness and the courage to find your voice.
Emma's sister won't let her make any decisions at the Town Fair, so Emma makes some funny potty jokes instead.
The sisters get separated and when Emma is found, she confronts her older sister about her wish to take a turn choosing what they do.
Will Emma finally get a turn to choose?
Sibling dynamics can be really hard to navigate at times
especially for 2 to 5 year olds.
Emmaβs Turn at the Fair helps kids understand that...
We all have different personalities and needs.
Itβs okay to want something, and then not get it.
It takes courage to express our feelings clearly.
Itβs okay to ask for what we want.
Boys and girls will learn that it is okay to stand up for oneself to be heard. When we say how we feel and express our wishes, we learn each otherβs likes or dislikes.
Taking turns is fun - for you and me.
Molly's Bedtime Stories
You may also be interested in my series of picture books I created a few years ago under Molly's Bedtime Stories.
This bright and colourful young children's book series has easy-to-read storylines that use alliteration, designed to encourage easy learning through repetition of words beginning with the same letter and sounds. Visit us on Facebook
Featured in
Molly's Bedtime Stories
You may also be interested in my series of picture books I created a few years ago under Molly's Bedtime Stories.
This bright and colourful young children's book series has easy-to-read storylines that use alliteration, designed to encourage easy learning through repetition of words beginning with the same letter and sounds.
Featured in
What's In Molly's.... Garden?
Follow Molly on an adventure through her garden and watch how she interacts with wonderful creatures and other common garden objects that she discovers along the way. Once you have seen what's in Molly's garden, it's time for you to go outside and explore your own garden.
What's In Molly's.... Bedroom?
Follow Molly on an adventure through her bedroom and watch how she interacts with all her favourite things. Once you have seen what's in Molly's bedroom, spend some time with your favourite things found in your own bedroom.
What's In Mollys... Lunch Box?
Follow Molly on an adventure at lunchtime
as she sits down to eat the contents of her lunch box.
Once you have seen what's in Molly's lunch box,
enjoy eating the contents of your own lunch box.
What's In Molly's.... Toy Box?
Follow Molly on an adventure as she plays with all her favourite toys in her toy box.
Once you have seen what's in Molly's toy box, spend time playing with your favourite toys found in your own toy box.
What's In Molly's.... Suitcase
Follow Molly on an adventure as she packs her favourite things into her suitcase. Once you have seen what's in Molly's suitcase, next time you have a family holiday,
spend some time packing your own suitcase.
What's In Molly's.... Garden?
Follow Molly on an adventure through her garden and watch how she interacts with wonderful creatures and other common garden objects that she discovers along the way. Once you have seen what's in Molly's garden, it's time for you to go outside and explore your own garden.
What's In Molly's.... Bedroom?
Follow Molly on an adventure through her bedroom and watch how she interacts with all her favourite things. Once you have seen what's in Molly's bedroom, spend some time with your favourite things found in your own bedroom.
What's In Mollys... Lunch box?
Follow Molly on an adventure at lunchtime
as she sits down to eat the contents of her lunch box. Once you have seen what's in Molly's lunch box, enjoy eating the contents of your own lunch box.
What's In Molly's.... Toy Box?
Follow Molly on an adventure as she plays with all her favourite toys in her toy box.
Once you have seen what's in Molly's toy box, spend time playing with your favourite toys found in your own toy box.
What's In Molly's.... Suitcase
Follow Molly on an Adventure as she packs her favourite things into her suitcase. Once you have seen what's in Molly's suitcase, next time you have a family holiday, spend some time packing your own suitcase.
Reviews
What a funny story, I love all the naughty words and how they rhymed together. Beautifully illustrated. One of my favourite books now. 5 stars!
Di McCarthy
Emma's Turn at the Fair
A fabulous picture book!! My niece & nephew love to read it. The illustrations are vibrant and cute, and the storylines are very easy for young children to understand.
Vaxinator - Amazon Review
What's in Molly's...Toybox?
Our family very much enjoy Emma' Turn at the Fair. Our 5 year old Grandson laughs and giggles his head off the whole way through the book, particularly at all the stinkies! He has been picking it up daily, it is his favourite bedtime story.
Alistair & Liane Bean and family
Emma's Turn at the Fair
My son attended a reading of Emma's Turn at the Fair and fell in love with the book. Funny and sweet it's definitely a new favourite in our house.
Amanda Hawke
Emma's Turn at the Fair
Excited to receive our copy of Emma's Turn at the Fair. It is a fun and beautifully written story featuring delightful verse and sweet, relatable characters. This cheeky story of sisters at the fair is one we can share in the fun and laughter of navigating siblings and their choices. Highly recommend! 5 stars!
P Brownlee
Emma's Turn at the Fair
A delightful tale about two sisters at the Fair. Children will love the humour. It is a colourful book with lovely illustrations. I loved the book. 5 stars!
Diane Rolton
Emma's Turn at the Fair
This is an NZ Book. This Book is about going on a holiday. You need a passport to go on holiday. You will need some sun protection, and some sparkle shoes and some non-sparkle shoes. I have a pair of beautiful boots.
Kimberley - 5 Yrs Old
What's in Molly's...Suitcase?
My Mum brought me this book to read at bed time. It was really funny. Mum and I laughed when I read it to her. I like this book.
Max - 6 Yrs Old
Emma's Turn at the Fair
Cute and Adorable book. I give this book 5 stars.
Scott Roberts - Goodreads Review
What's in Molly's....Lunch Box?
We absolutely loved the book Emma's Turn at the Fair! Itβs such a fun, engaging read with the perfect mix of humour and storytelling for young kids. My daughter finds Emmaβs potty humour throughout the book absolutely hilarious and will quite often ask me to read it again a second time straight after finishing it. Itβs become a firm favourite in our house and always guarantees lots of giggles. Highly recommend for parents looking for a book that keeps little ones entertained and wanting more!
Anna McInroe
Emma's Turn at the Fair
Contact me
I am available for readings at Preschools, New Entrants, Libraries and Book Stores in Christchurch/Canterbury/North Canterbury areas.
You can also purchase any of my books directly through me.
Copyright 2026 Vanessa Jane Townsend/ Sunny Bloom Petal / CheckBooks Limited
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I can't wait to chat!
Vanessa