Meet the Creators of
Molly & Dane
A website that encourages and explores a love of reading, writing, and creativity. A place for teachers and parents to buy the Molly & Dane book, download resources, activity books, crafts, and snack ideas. A family-friendly community.
Norene Olsen
Author
Norene Olsen is a children’s book author, storyteller, and educator with a deep passion for inspiring creativity. A mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Norene’s love for storytelling was sparked by reading to her grandchildren, which led her to pursue a career in children’s literature. She is known for her ability to bring characters to life, often dressing up to entertain young audiences during storytime.
From an early age, Norene showed a natural talent for writing, having a poem published at just 10 years old. Her journey into education and teaching further fueled her passion for creativity. With an AA from SSC, a BSE from Emporia State University, and an MA from Webster University, she spent years nurturing young minds as a high school English and journalism teacher. Her time in the classroom was marked by her dedication to her students and her ability to inspire through storytelling.
Norene’s journey took an unexpected turn when she enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1998, embarking on a 20-year career that saw her rise through the ranks as an Air Weapons Controller (AWC). She played a crucial role in protecting lives, including directing fighter jets to intercept airborne targets and saving over 440 lives. Her military service earned her multiple awards, including the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring, Norene returned to education, excelling as a teacher in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC), where she won several “Teacher of the Year” awards. Today, as an author, Norene continues to inspire with her creativity, bringing stories to life by sparking imagination and creativity in young minds through her enchanting stories. She is dedicated to fostering a love of learning and imagination. Her journey—marked by service, leadership, and a deep passion for teaching—continues to inspire others to follow their own creative paths.
Pamela Gray Willcox
Illustrator
Pamela Willcox is an accomplished designer, illustrator, and artist with over thirty years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette and certifications in UX/UI Design from CareerFoundry. Pamela blends her artistic vision with practical functionality, creating designs that captivate and inspire.
Her career began as Art Director at the University of Tampa, creating award-winning promotional campaigns and recruitment materials and working in ad agencies in Tampa, FL. In 1994 Pamela founded Graymatters Design, a highly successful freelance design studio. While living in Colorado, Pamela launched her second company, thefatenvelope.com in 2014 to help families navigate the college admissions process, and created workshops empowering students to achieve their academic potential. She currently supports schools and educators through Zen Educate in London, UK.
As a children’s book illustrator, Pamela first illustrated ESL workbooks for middle school students in China. Pamela is thrilled and honored to work on Norene's first children's book with whimsical, heartfelt illustrations that inspire young readers and bring stories to life.
