The March for Hope with Author Valerie Bolling

In celebration of Women's History Month, families are invited to listen to local author Valerie Bolling read aloud from her newest picture book, The March for Hope!

In this uplifting picture book, a young Black girl’s 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.

After the storytime, participants will have the chance to create their own piece of art as inspired by the book.
 

For families with children age 5 and up. Please register each child who plans to attend the event: each family who registers and attends the program will receive a free signed copy of The March for Hope.

About the Author

Valerie Bolling is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She is the author of eight picture books (THE MARCH FOR HOPE, A FLEA FOR JUSTICE, I SEE COLOR, LET’S DANCE!, TOGETHER WE RIDE, TOGETHER WE SWIM, RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN!, and BING, BOP, BAM: TIME TO JAM!) and RAINBOW DAYS, a Scholastic Acorn early reader series.

A graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, Teachers College, Valerie has been an educator for 30 years and is an active member of the kidlit community – teaching picture book classes, serving as a mentor, and presenting at conferences. Valerie lives in Connecticut with her husband where they enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, going to the theater, and dancing.