Celebrate Summer Reading & Fun with Valerie Bolling!

Hi, readers, writers, and all those looking forward to MORE summer fun! We're here with the wonderfully talented, award-winning author Valerie Bolling today sharing a look at her sweet books, Together We Swim and Together We Ride, two activities many of us will be performing with our loved ones over the summer. Valerie's books are a joyful ode to a mother and son's and father and daughter's relationship. Featuring parents helping their kids navigate their first swim or bike ride, Valerie's books are filled with love and encouragement. Want to know more about Valerie, her beautiful summer-worthy books, PLUS want to hear an inspiring writing tip she has, too? Read on...

Q: Hi Valerie, thanks so much for joining us! We’re so excited to feature you and your amazing books today for our Summer Fun Event! 

Before we dive into your books, can you share a little more about yourself and your path to becoming a #kidlit author with our readers?

A: Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your Summer Fun Event, Heather and Lynne Marie! What a great idea and reason for an event, since most people love summer. I’m honored to have my books, Together We Ride and Together We Swim, featured. 

I’d be happy to share a bit more about myself and my path to writing books for children. I grew up in Connecticut in an extended family where one of my great-aunts often read to me, and my grandmother taught me how to write. I’ve always loved reading and writing and learning. In first grade, I learned how to read on my own and progressed from writing words to writing sentences; I especially liked writing rhyming sentences.

As an elementary student, I began to write stories that I entered in writing contests and won. I continued to submit my writing to contests and literary magazines throughout my educational career, including college. As a teacher, I encouraged my students to tell their stories and write poems, which we submitted to contests and literary publications. I experienced immense joy and pride when my students were recognized with awards for their writing. What made me most pleased though was seeing how excited and proud they were of themselves. I believe that the greatest gift I gave my students was inspiring them to be confident, competent writers.

About eight years ago, my nieces inspired me to write for children. I was reading many books to them and was thinking about what stories they might enjoy reading and if I could write them. The girls even inspired specific story ideas which I wrote. I became invested in writing children’s books not only because of my nieces but also because of my former students – many of whom, by the way, now have their own children. When I taught in the elementary classroom, it was difficult to find diverse literature for my students. I want all children to see themselves in books, and I want teachers and parents to have access to books that represent all of their young readers. 

I published my first picture book, Let’s Dance! in 2020 (without an agent), and, with the support of my agent extraordinaire, James McGowan (who I signed with three months after my debut was released), I have been fortunate to sell and publish a number of other books for children and teachers.

Q: Together We Ride and Together We Swim are two sweet books that follow kids learning to ride bikes and swim - both are things that are very important and that we know a LOT of kids will be learning and doing this summer!

What gave you the idea to write these titles?

 A: Thank you for complimenting my books, and, yes, I’m sure there will be a lot of children bike riding and swimming this summer. The inspiration for Together We Ride occurred during the COVID shutdown. My husband and I walked each day in our neighborhood, and I witnessed a young girl learn how to ride a bike; I noticed her progression as she became a better, more confident rider. Learning to ride a bike – without training wheels – is such an exciting milestone for children that I decided to write a story about that experience. 

When Together We Ride was acquired, it resulted in a two-book deal, so I needed to write another book about a childhood milestone. So, that’s how Together We Swim came to be. Since Ride featured a father and daughter, it seemed that Swim should showcase a mother and son. Knowing how to swim is fun, but it’s also an important life skill – actually a life-saving skill.

Q: What do you hope young readers & their parents will learn and take away from these stories? 

A: I hope these books inspire children not only to learn how to ride a bike and swim but also to learn something else they’ve wanted to do or to succeed at something challenging. I hope it reminds them of the joy that can be found engaging in outdoor activities with family. 

I hope parents know how integral their love and encouragement is to their child’s success. Sometimes children will fail, and parents need to love and support them through the failure. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians can use these books to discuss the following topics and questions:

Diversity – Who do you see in these books? Which children do you most relate to? What can you learn from the children in these stories?

Joy – What are the activities you enjoy doing? Who do you enjoy doing them with? What things bring you joy? How can you share these things with others?

Resilience – What’s something hard you’ve tried? How do you feel when you succeed at a challenge? Who supports you as you learn?

Q:  What other books of yours can we check out ASAP? And what other titles do you have that are coming soon/that we can keep our eyes peeled out for? 

A: Readers can check out all of my books on my website. In fact, I’d love it if they would. Even if you don’t purchase my books, you can check them out from your local library (circulation matters) or request them if they’re not part of the library’s collection. If you like the books, I’d appreciate reviews on Amazon (reviews matter, too).

In terms of what’s up next for me, my first book for teachers, Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom: Building Student Agency, Independence, and Success, will be published on July 14, 2025, and my first picture book biography, A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (illustrated by TeMika Grooms) will be released on September 16, 2025. I also have another picture book, The March for Hope (illustrated by Monica Mikai), scheduled for release in 2026 and a board book, Chloe’s Community Garden (illustrated by Felicia Whaley) slated for 2027.

Q:   Are there any interesting or “insider” facts about Together We Ride and Together We Swim you can share with us?

A: There are interesting facts about both of these books. Together We Ride is my shortest book with 30 words, and all of the words rhyme with “ride.” Kaylani Juanita, the amazing illustrator, tells a story in the background about birds, so be sure to look for that. Every word in Together We Swim doesn’t rhyme with swim – that wouldn’t have been possible – but look in the background again to see the diverse characters Kaylani features at the pool. She is such a talented artist, and I’m so grateful that I was able to collaborate with her on these two books. Finally, I’m happy about the accolades these books have received. Together We Ride has remained a “Teacher’s Pick” on Amazon, and Together We Swim was a Kirkus Prize finalist.

Thanks so much for sharing this with us! And CONGRATS on all the book love, too! How exciting.

BONUS QUESTION: What’s your favorite way to celebrate summer? 

Spending time with loved ones is the best way to celebrate summer. My husband and I love to travel to different places during the summer, and we enjoy hosting our nieces for a week-long visit. Summer is also a great time to gather with friends.

Would you like to leave a Tip or a Treat for our readers?

I'd love to leave a tip: It’s tough right now in the publishing industry, but don’t give up. Keep writing. Maybe now’s the time to read more books for inspiration, study and write a new genre, or write some articles or blog posts. As long as you continue to write and improve your craft, you should be able to have your books published.

Thanks for such an encouraging tip - that's so important to keep in mind. And thanks again for stopping by. We had a wonderful time getting to know you and your books more! Everyone, please leave a comment below to thank Valerie for stopping by. Feel free to share some bike & swimming GIFs, too!

About Valerie Bolling:

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 12 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; Scholastic Acorn early reader series, RAINBOW DAYS; and a book for teachers, GOAL SETTING IN THE WRITING CLASSROOM: BUILDING STUDENT AGENCY, INDEPENDENCE, AND SUCCESS. Sharing her books with young readers and their families – and inspiring both children and adults to write their own stories – brings Valerie immense joy!  linktr.ee/ValerieBolling

For more about Valerie, check out the below links:

Website: valeriebolling.com

Instagram: instagram.com/valeriebollingauthor 

Bluesky: valeriebolling.bsky.social

Facebook: facebook.com/ValerieBollingAuthor

Twitter: twitter.com/valerie_bolling

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valerie-bolling-223a92271

To purchase Valerie's books on Amazon, or to leave a review for them, click here.

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