Valerie Tripp
Valerie Tripp loved going to Mt. Kisco Elementary School, where her favorite teacher was Miss Pearl Sparks, who became the inspiration for the teacher in the books about Hopscotch Hill School®. Ms. Tripp's siblings also contributed to her interest in school and learning. She recalls, "My two older sisters taught me to read when they played school at home and I in turn taught my younger sister and brother. Playing school runs in the family; my daughter, Katherine, set up an entire classroom in the basement!"
In addition to the books in the Hopscotch Hill School series, Ms. Tripp is the author of 27 American Girls books, including the six books about Felicity®, who lived in Williamsburg, Virginia, during colonial times; the six books about Josefina®, an Hispanic girl growing up in New Mexico in 1824; three books about Samantha®, an orphan living in 1904; the six books about Kit®, who lived during America's Great Depression; and the six books about Molly®, who lived on the home front during World War II. Ms. Tripp is also the author of the plays in the American Girls Pastimes® series, the American Girls Short Stories® about Felicity, Josefina, Samantha, Kit, and Molly, and An Introduction to Williamsburg, a guide to Colonial Williamsburg.
In her role as author, Ms. Tripp has visited countless elementary schools, Girl Scout troops, and libraries across the United States and spoken with teachers and children about the joys of writing and reading. It was these visits that helped inspire Ms. Tripp to develop the Hopscotch Hill School series. "I saw how the curriculum for kindergarten and first grade had become more academic and demanding," she explains. "I decided to write the Hopscotch Hill School stories to help children meet the challenge of starting school with enthusiasm and confidence."
Ms. Tripp graduated with honors from the first coeducational class at Yale University in 1973. While an undergraduate, she helped found Calvin Hill Day Care Center. She worked there and wrote her senior thesis about the stories the three-, four-, and five-year old children told about themselves. From 1974 to 1980, Ms. Tripp was a writer for the Addison-Wesley Reading Program, where she wrote songs, stories, games, poems, plays, and skills exercises for children in grades Pre-K to 6.
In 1981, Ms. Tripp received a Masters of Education from Harvard University, where she focused on writing for children and reading education. Since then, Ms. Tripp has been freelance writing for The Hampton-Brown Company and ELHI Publishers Services creating educational materials for major publishers, including six Just One More poems for beginning readers, four of which have been translated into Spanish and are used in bilingual reading programs. She was honored as a March of Dimes Mother of the Year for her volunteer work in the local elementary schools and public libraries of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Valerie Tripp lives in Maryland with her husband Michael, daughter Katherine, and golden retriever, Sunday.
Provided by the publisher.
To read an interview with this author about Kit's story, click here.
Reviews
Addy's Theater Kit: A Play about Addy for You and Your Friends to Perform
Adapted by Valerie Tripp
Fans of the American Girl characters can experience history in a whole new way. With the character Addy, children can follow a path to learning through theater arts with Addy's Theater Kit. Young actors can stage their own production of Friendship and Freedom using the scripts and guides in the kit. Adapted from Addy Learns a Lesson by Connie Porter. 1994, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 up, $5.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 1562471252
Changes for Felicity: A Winter Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Pleasant Company's series features historical characters, mostly girls, but these spunky heroines will satisfy historical fiction readers from ages six to ten. Short novellas unite history, adventure, and the spirited characters of Kirsten, a pioneer girl; Samantha, a young woman living in the Victorian era; Molly, a patriotic World War II child; and this book's character, Felicity, a child of colonial Williamsburg. As war seems unavoidable, Felicity is faced with changes in her family and friends. 1992, Pleasant Company, Ages 6 to 10, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 1562470388
ISBN: 156247037X
Changes for Josefina: A Winter Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Jean-Paul Tibbles
Part of the American Girls Collection, this is book six on the life of Josefina, a Hispanic girl in 1824 living in New Mexico. This book continues to chronicle the culture and spirit of the times, as do all of the books in the American Girls Collection. It contains a brief summary in the back of the book of the time period. In this story, we learn about the Feast of the Three Kings, which is an event marking the journey of the Three Wise Men. We also learn about family dynamics in this society. Josefina's father chooses a new wife after the death of her mother. Josefina must struggle to accept this new woman in her mother's role. 1998, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 up, $5.95. Reviewer: Sheree Van Vreede
ISBN: 1562475924
ISBN: 1562475916
Felicity Saves the Day: A Summer Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Vignettes by Luann Roberts and Keith Skeen
Pleasant Company's series features historical characters known mostly by girls. These spunky heroines will satisfy historical fiction readers from ages six to ten. Short novellas unite history, adventure, and the spirited characters of Kirsten, a pioneer girl; Samantha, a young woman living in the Victorian era; Molly, a patriotic World War II child; and Felicity, a child of colonial Williamsburg. In this story, Felicity helps her friend Ben who runs away from his apprenticeship. 1992, Pleasant Company, Ages 6 to 10, $12.95and $5.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 1562470353
ISBN: 1562470345
Felicity Takes a Dare
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
It is early spring in 1774, and Felicity Merriman is walking on top of her fence, to the joy of her little brother and sister, William and Nan. Mrs. Merriman admonishes her daughter for being foolhardy, but Felicity is just being adventurous. That afternoon the family goes to the fair in Williamsburg, along with everyone else in town. There are tumblers, fiddlers, high wire walkers and best of all, racehorses. While her mother goes to see the latest embroidery stitches from London, Felicity takes Nan and William to see the horses. They are beautiful, high-strung creatures, and when some boys come to tease them, Felicity tells the boys to back off. The ringleader dares her to feed the horses, and although she knows in her heart that it's a foolish thing to do, she takes the dare--and pays dearly for it. The horses startle and stampede, throwing Felicity to the ground and breaking her arm. This story should be exciting, but it is told in a bland style, without emotional intensity. What the writing lacks in panache, the packaging makes up for in charm. The small format is perfect for little hands, and the softly colored illustrations are appealing. There is the usual "Peek into the Past" section that accompanies all books in the "American Girl" series, which includes a description of a game from Felicity's time to make and then play. 2001, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 up, $3.95. Reviewer: Nancy Partridge
ISBN: 1584852712
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Felicity's Dancing Shoes
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
Felicity, a Colonial girl, is attending Miss Manderly's dance classes and is having a difficult time getting any step right. To make matters worse, she has to dance with snobby Annabelle who points out each and every mistake and makes fun of her everyday shoes. Desperate to improve her steps and get rid of her clumsy leather shoes, Felicity makes a deal with her younger sister--Nan will let her use her pretty shoes and she will teach Nan all of the dance steps taught in Miss Manderly's class. Felicity endures a lot of toe pain in her sister's small shoes, but magically improves each day. Happily, even Annabelle cannot find fault with her steps! Felicity thinks that the shoes are making all of the difference, but discovers later that it is her own practice that makes magic. This book is part of the "American Girls Short Stories" collection and includes information about life in the late 1700s. The illustrations are small and delicate much like the book itself and will appeal to any girl with dreams of dancing. 2000, Pleasant Company Publications, Ages 7 to 10, $3.95. Reviewer: Andrea Sears Andrews
ISBN: 1584850310
Happy Birthday, Felicity!: A Springtime Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Vignettes by Luann Roberts and Keith Skeen
Pleasant Company's series features historical characters known mostly by girls, but these spunky heroines will satisfy historical fiction readers from ages six to ten. Short novellas unite history, adventure, and the spirited characters of Kirsten, a pioneer girl; Samantha, a young woman living in the Victorian era; Molly, a patriotic World War II child; and character, Felicity, a child of colonial Williamsburg. In this adventure Felicity takes it upon herself to alert the colonist in Williamsburg when she learns of potential danger. 1992, Pleasant Company, Ages 6 to 10, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 1562470302
ISBN: 1562470310
Happy Birthday, Josefina!: A Springtime Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Jean-Paul Tibbles
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
Josefina is pleased when her much respected godmother, Tia Magdalena, asks for her help with spring chores. Josefina hopes to become a healer someday like Tia Magdalena, but while helping her aunt, she makes a terrible mistake. This dashes her hopes, until a terrifying experience with her friend Marianna restores her confidence, and gives her a second chance. This is Book Four in the Josefina "American Girls Collection," and young fans will enjoy this latest selection as Josefina discovers her true gifts. 1998, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 up, $12.95. Reviewer: Cheryl Peterson
ISBN: 1562475886
ISBN: 1562475878
Happy Birthday, Kit!: A Springtime Story, 1934
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Walter Rane
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
Kit's family is running a boarding house in an effort to just survive during the Depression in 1930s America. Kit and her family believe that they are doing everything that they possibly can to make ends meet. Because money is so scarce, Kit knows that she'll never have a party for her tenth birthday. Then, out of the blue, practical Aunt Millie pays a surprise extended visit and begins to put her common-sense ideas to work, in an effort to make things a little easier for the Kittredge's. At first, Kit and her friends think Aunt Millie is the greatest, that her ideas are genius and that maybe, just maybe, there could be a birthday party. That is, until Aunt Millie's frugal ways start to embarrass Kit. American Girls' books are inspiring and full of clever ideas, and this one is no exception. The characters are well-developed, likable and believable. The historical fiction aspect aside, these books give girls of any era positive, strong-minded role models. This is number four in the series about "America's Great Depression" and is part of the American Girls Collection. Highly recommended. 2001, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 up, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Trina Heidt
ISBN: 158485023X
ISBN: 1584850221
Josefina Saves the Day: A Summer Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Jean-Paul Tibbles
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
Josefina and her family have traveled to Santa Fe to conduct business with American traders who have come down the Camino Real, the main road from Mexico City to New Mexico, to trade goods with the locals. The trading will affect the well being of their beloved rancho so they must be cautious. While waiting patiently for the train of anticipated traders, Josefina meets one of them prematurely and befriends the stranger almost immediately. After briefly getting to know the handsome young American, both Josefina and her father rely on him to trade something for them in order to get the best deal. They soon learn however, that their trusted friend has left town without completing their trades or saying good-bye. It seems all is lost until Josefina discovers a very important clue that could save the day. Book five in the Josefina series of the American Girl Collection. 1998, Pleasant Co., Ages 7 to 10, $5.95. Reviewer: Trina Heidt
ISBN: 1562475908
ISBN: 1562475894
Kit Learns a Lesson: A School Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Walter Rane
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
This brief historical novel features nine-year-old Kitt Kittredge and her family and friends as they struggle to make ends meet in the midst of the Great Depression. Kit's main struggles revolve around adjustments she must make since her Dad lost his job. Now she must help her mother who has, out of necessity, turned their family home into a boarding house. These adjustments also lead to problems at school as Kit's class prepares for Thanksgiving. The many realistic, black-and-white drawings add to the book's visual appeal, while a "Peek into the Past" section combines text and old photos to show and tell young readers what schools were like in 1934. This is the second book in the latest series, "The American Girls Collection." 2000, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 to 11, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
Life during the Great Depression meant doing without a lot of things such as new clothes, cars, and toys. As the Depression continued, many people lost their jobs and had to learn to survive by depending on the goodness of others. Kit's family has taken in boarders to make some extra money while Kit's dad looks for another job. Kit's experiences at school and at home give the reader a window to view what life was like during the Depression. Tripp presents details about daily life, including meals provided by soup kitchens for those who could not afford to feed themselves. Also included are pages that present a historical look into the year 1934. This is an excellent historical fiction choice for upper elementary students. 2000, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 to 14, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Joyce Rice
ISBN: 158485121X
ISBN: 1584850183
Kit Saves the Day: A Summer Story, 1934
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Walter Rane
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
Bored by all the summer chores she and her family undertake during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Kit Kittredge longs for adventure like her brother Charlie, who is working for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Glacier National Park, Montana. Kit and her friend, Stirling, befriend a young hobo named Will who helps the family with their gardening in return for meals and a place to sleep. When Will leaves the next day without a food basket, Kit and Stirling volunteer to take it to him, only to find themselves caught up in a dangerous adventure hopping a train. Discovered by the authorities and detained, Kit has to devise a plan to help herself and her friends. Fifth in the series about Kit's growing up in the Great Depression from the "American Girls Collection," the book contains a short factual lesson about the everyday life of Americans during the 1930s and would be useful in bringing to life that difficult time for today's readers. 2001, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 up, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Valerie O. Patterson
ISBN: 1584850256
ISBN: 1584850248
Kit's Surprise: A Christmas Story
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Walter Rane
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
Part of the "American Girl" series, Kit lives in 1934, during the Great Depression. This tale, the third installment of Kit's story, takes place during a bleak Christmas season. Kit's father has lost his job and the family may soon lose their home. Kit's best friend, Ruthie, tries to make things better but Kit's stubborn pride keeps her from accepting Ruthie's gifts. The friendship is threatened until Kit learns to see Ruthie's point of view. Kit also helps her family through a rough spot with determination and hard work and Christmas retains some of its glow after all. A description of life during the Depression appears at the end of the book. 2000, Pleasant Company, Ages 8 to 11, $12.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 1584850213
ISBN: 1584850205
Meet Kit, An American Girl
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Walter Rane
Vignettes by Susan McAliley
Living in the Appalachia Mountains during the Depression was a challenge. One evening it started to snow and when it stopped the front of the house was covered. Everyone had to dig out so Dad could get to town. Christmas was coming and there would be the Sears & Roebuck catalogue. During a storm the wind caused a large pine tree to fall on the house. The house was a total loss. The family moved all their belongings into the barn and the animals into the house. As the family got settled in the barn, they knew Papa would build a new house when the snow melted. However, because of the snow the family had to stay on the mountain, so there would be no presents from town. The children decided they would make a hat for their Mama and a shirt for their Papa. On Christmas morning the children found their stockings filled with homemade candy. After breakfast Papa uncovered a special trunk, with presents for all the children. The door opened and their Grandma and Grandpa arrived from town to share Christmas dinner. After dinner they sat around the fireplace and listened to stories about Christmases past. Readers will enjoy this glimpse into Christmas many years ago. 2001, Pleasant Company, Ages 10 up, $12.95. Reviewer: Karen Werner
This is the first story of three about Kit, a spunky young girl living in Cincinnati in the early 1930s. She, along with her family and friends, are learning how to cope during the desperate times of the Great Depression. Despite the worry caused by her father's recent job loss, Kit approaches life with the optimism that has always served her well. Books, imagination, humor, friendship, and resilience help Kit remain steady during an otherwise tragic time. As part of the "American Girls Collection," this book will inspire young girls to keep their chins up during a challenge and at the same time learn about this period in American history. The book ends with an historical snapshot of the early thirties, giving the reader a deeper factual understanding of the Great Depression. Beautiful oil paintings accompany the story and actual photographs enhance the historical section. It is a good book for those girls seeking a series that promises many more stories to come and opportunities to start up a significant collection of dolls and their accessories (there is a perforated sheet for catalogue ordering included). 2000, Pleasant Company Publications, Ages 7 to 10, $12.95. Reviewer: Andrea Sears Andrews
Kit Kittridge is a nine-year-old girl growing up in Cincinnati during the dark days of the Depression. Kit and her friend Ruthie spend their free time digging up local good news stories for their own family and neighborhood newspaper. There has not been a lot of good new lately in the real newspapers since the Depression began. The factories have closed and many people have lost their jobs, but not Kit's dad. He owns the car dealership in town and employs several other people. Kit is proud of this fact. Kit worries about her Dad's job, but he is always chipper and happy-go-lucky. Kit soon discovers that life is unfair and the depression comes to live in her home as well. Kit's father has used his savings to keep his employees working, but in these times there is no money to buy new cars. Readers will eagerly devour this first in a new series from "The American Girl Collection". Kit's upbeat personality and ingenuity are uplifting in this book about hard times in America. The color vignettes by Susan McAiley add dimension and detail to the characters and their times. The last chapter, "Looking Back 1934", explains with narrative and photographs the people and circumstances of this era. 2000, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 up, $5.95. Reviewer: Sue Reichard
ISBN: 1584850167
ISBN: 1584850175
Molly's A+ Partner
Valerie Tripp
Illustrated by Nick Backes
Vignettes by Philip Hood
As part of the popular American Girls Short Stories nine-year-old Molly and her best friend Susan team up in this book to write a report about George Washington. They begin by going straight to the library equipped with sharpened pencils and fresh notebook paper. After a week of research and taking notes they put the report together, including a cover with a drawing of Washington's home, Mount Vernon. Susan, the dreamer of the pair, wants to do something different than just reading the report like everyone else. Her ideas include dressing up and acting out scenes from Washington's life or singing together. The two friends disagree about how to present their report to their third grade class and worry that this may ruin their friendship. The girls discover how hard partnerships can be, even between friends. Molly also decides that having a good friend is more important than having a good partner. Their report, along with Susan's spirited presentation, results in applause and whistles from their classmates. In addition, the book helps readers to honor our first president with a recipe for Cherry-Nut Cupcakes. A pleasant story about friendship, an important historical character and a dose of fun make this book very engaging. Vignettes by Nick Backes and Philip Hood. 2202, Pleasant Company/American Girls, Ages 7 to 11, $4.95. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur
ISBN: 1584854839
Added 07/01/03
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