Large (1606 x 2049 px)
Photo Credit: Kimberley Eves |
Author BiosFor Children's Programming
Valerie Bolling was an educator for 30 years and is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. Her debut picture book, LET’S DANCE!, was published in March 2020 and won SCBWI’s Crystal Kite Award in 2021. Valerie is the author of seven more picture books (THE MARCH FOR HOPE, Notable Social Studies Trade Book, A FLEA FOR JUSTICE: MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN STANDS UP FOR CHANGE; Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, I SEE COLOR; Kirkus Prize Finalist, TOGETHER WE SWIM; TOGETHER WE RIDE; RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN!; and BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!) as well as a Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS. Sharing her books with children and inspiring them to write their own stories brings Valerie immense joy! Valerie and her husband live in Connecticut and enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing. linktr.ee/ValerieBolling For Adult Presentations Valerie Bolling is an award-winning author/educator who is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She’s the author of 15 books, including SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner, LET’S DANCE!; Kirkus Prize Finalist, TOGETHER WE SWIM; Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, I SEE COLOR; Notable Social Studies Trade Book A FLEA FOR JUSTICE: MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN STANDS UP FOR CHANGE; Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS; and two book for teachers, GOAL SETTING IN THE WRITING CLASSROOM: BUILDING STUDENT AGENCY, INDEPENDENCE, AND SUCCESS. and WRITING POETRY MONTH BY MONTH: INSPIRING THE POET IN ALL STUDENTS. A graduate of Tufts University and Teachers College, Columbia University, Valerie was an educator for 30 years and is active in the kidlit community. She’s a member of SCBWI; the 12X12 Picture Book Challenge; Diverse Verse; Sisters, Writers, and Artists Network; Kindling Words East Black Creatives; and three critique groups. She also teaches picture book classes (independently and for Boyds Mills and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance), presents at conferences, and participates in book festivals. Valerie enjoys teaching both students and adults and inspiring them to write their own stories. She lives in Connecticut with her husband where they enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing. linktr.ee/ValerieBolling Short Version (Fewer Than 100 Words) Valerie Bolling is an award-winning author/educator who is passionate about creating stories for children in which they can feel seen, heard, valued, and validated. She’s the author of 15 books, including SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner, LET’S DANCE!; Kirkus Prize Finalist, TOGETHER WE SWIM; Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, I SEE COLOR; Notable Social Studies Trade Book, A FLEA FOR JUSTICE: MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN STANDS UP FOR CHANGE; and two books for educators. Sharing her books with young readers, their families, and educators---and inspiring both children and adults to write their own stories---brings Valerie immense joy! linktr.ee/ValerieBolling |
Featured Spotlights and Publications
May 8, 2026: WRITING POETRY MONTH BY MONTH: INSPIRING THE POET IN ALL STUDENTS
Cover Reveal on "Watch. Connect. Read." with John Schu
Feb. 19, 2026: "Black Authors on the Spectrum of Diversity in Children's Literature" on Where We Live
Feb. 5, 2026: A Conversation on the 12 x 12 Podcast: "Valerie Bolling Challenges Herself (and YOU!)
Jan. 6, 2026: "Classroom Q&A with Larry Ferlazzo" in Education Week
Jan. 18, 2026: "Use Goal Setting to Grow Great Student Writers" in Middleweb
Cover Reveal on "Watch. Connect. Read." with John Schu
Feb. 19, 2026: "Black Authors on the Spectrum of Diversity in Children's Literature" on Where We Live
Feb. 5, 2026: A Conversation on the 12 x 12 Podcast: "Valerie Bolling Challenges Herself (and YOU!)
Jan. 6, 2026: "Classroom Q&A with Larry Ferlazzo" in Education Week
Jan. 18, 2026: "Use Goal Setting to Grow Great Student Writers" in Middleweb