Melissa Kay Valente
Melissa grew up a bit wild, in an English forest, so when she moved to East Africa (where she spent the last twenty years) no one was too surprised. Now she has returned to the Cotswolds where she and her two young children are adjusting to the strangeness of British things like queueing, hail and tights!
As an English teacher, journalist, mum and children’s book writer, Melissa uses stories to champion children, highlight the best of humanity and explore the wonders of the natural world.
She writes funny, lyrical and issue-based picture book texts, with a particular focus on mental wellbeing, as well as adventurous chapter books and middle grade fiction.