The March for Hope & Together We Ride

Join us as we welcome Connecticut author and resident Valerie Bolling on her Connecticut Book Tour!  Valerie will visit Books on the Common for a book signing and to meet any young readers.  A graduate of Tufts and Columbia University, as well as educator for over 30 years, Valerie strives to ensure all children see themselves in her stories.  In her own words:

The March for Hope, one of her newest books, is an uplifting picture book about a young Black girl and how her identities converge at the Women’s March, helping her find power in her voice and her community.
“Mama and I are on our way to the Women’s March. I wish we were going somewhere else. Somewhere fun.”  Overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the protest, Hope is unsure of how she fits into this movement and how she can make her voice heard―after all, she didn’t seem to have any power when her teacher discriminated against her in class. But when she and Mama join a group of Black women protesters, Hope sees herself in them and discovers that one voice, no matter how small, can make powerful change.

With propulsive writing and vibrant, accessible artwork, The March for Hope is an electrifying call to action and a heartfelt reminder of our own inherent strength.

Together We Ride, another recent book by Valerie, engages young readers in one the most exhilarating and scary experiences of childhood — learning to ride a bike!  Learning to ride is no easy feat! But with a little courage, a guiding hand from her dad, and an enthusiastic bark from her pup, one brave girl quickly learns the freedom that comes from an afternoon spent out on a bike.

Experience the fear, the anticipation, and the delight of achieving the ultimate milestone in this energetic, warm story that celebrates the precious bond between parent and child.