Val is eager for her Bear stories to spread joy everywhere they may go and to help children celebrate their unique individuality. Having a positive self-outlook and feeling valued and included are paramount to children's mental health and well-being. Val's first picture book, 'Bear: A Story of Autism and Difference' has earned international acclaim as the Winner of the 2023 International Book Awards Children's Nonfiction Picture Book softback and also as a Finalist in the Children's Educational category. Val's second picture book, Bear and The Lost Tooth is an Award-Finalist in the Children's Mind, Body, Spirit category of the 2024 International Book Awards, and her third book, Bear, Bobbin and the Winter Festival is an Award-Finalist in the Children's Educational and Children's Mind, Body, Spirit categories of the 2025 International Book Awards.
Val first became interested in autism during high school psychology in the USA (a long time ago!), and this interest has continued throughout her professional career as a teacher, autism specialist advisor, autism team lead, and university tutor for the National SENCo Award. She has contributed to regional and national autism projects, with resources she's created being used internationally. Val formerly established and led a regional autism support team for over 13 years providing direct support for children and young people.
A special thank you to Anna Granger, from 5 in a Boat Books for being instrumental in the publication of all of Bear's books.
