Valerie Tripp

Valerie Tripp (born 1951) is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl book series.

Early life Tripp was born in 1951. She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York, with three sisters and a brother. She graduated from Yale University, having been a member of the first co-educated class there, and has a Master of Education degree from Harvard University.

Career One year after graduating from college, Tripp was hired by close friend Pleasant Rowland to contribute to a reading program called The Superkids. Later, Rowland approached Tripp with the idea to start American Girl. Tripp helped Rowland outline and write books for the American Girl book series.

Tripp wrote all the books in the original six-book Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly She has also written four of the five "Best Friends" character stories to date,

Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, Maryellen and Kit have been based on her stories to varying extents. She and Petty have lived in Silver Spring, Maryland since 1985.

Selected works Classic Adventures: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes [illustrated by Carlo Molinari], Starry Forest Books, February 2021 Deluxe Greek Myths: Goddesses and Gardens [illustrated by Teresa Martinez], Starry Forest Books, July 2021 Various titles, American Girl book program