About Val

Val was born in London and at the age of five she moved to the wide open spaces of Buckinghamshire, spending her spare time riding horses, climbing trees and feeding her imagination for the first books and poems she ever wrote (from a very young age), about horses, gypsies and other childhood stories. In later years she wrote and published several adult novels and numerous poems.

Today Val lives near Farnham with a horse, a husband, and two daughters and several grandchildren living nearby. She has taught English as a second language to overseas students and gained a BA(Hons), from the Open University.

Quite recently Val returned to writing poetry for children, which she absolutely loves. Her grandchildren helpfully critique her poems, marking them out of ten! And they were very helpful when it came to producing her book, A Classroom of Stars.

Her first published children’s poem Twitter Feed, appeared on the wonderful Dirigible Balloon platform. Since then many more of Val’s poems have regularly appeared on the various balloon flights, and she has poems published in several other publications, including her poem, A Skyfall of Verbs, in the fantastic anthology Chasing Clouds, produced by The Dirigible Balloon/Yorkshire Times – with all profits from the book going to The National Literacy Trust.

Poetry Roundabout

Val’s book A Classroom of Stars received a great view on this important site for teacher/school poetry resources, listing current contemporary children’s poets who are passionate about the importance and benefits of including new poetry within education.

Anna Matthews Illustrator

Anna Matthews is a Farnham based illustrator. She is a constant scribbler, doodler and a sketcher – always with a pen, pencil a collection of old faded papers or salvaged slate at hand. Her family of big and small people inspire her, those that sit beside her and those that now flutter by. You can find Anna on:

Vals first collection of poetry for children, A Classroom of Stars, was published in December 2022, and is available from:

Find out more information on Val’s availability for school visits and events.

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