Welcome in, book friends!
For my 125th episode, I’m SO EXCITED to share my conversation with one of my heroes in literature and life, Valerie Tripp!
Valere is a prolific and beloved children’s book author – best known for her work with the American Girl book series. It’s very possible that she has shaped your childhood reading life through her incredible stories and characters – Felicity Merriman, Molly McIntire, Kit Kittredge, Josefina Montoya, Maryellen Larkin, and Samantha Parkington… just to name a few!
In our conversation, we discuss how Valerie became the first voice trusted by Pleasant T. Rowland with Pleasant Company/American Girl, why Valerie and Pleasant were so inspired by books like Anne of Green Gables and Little Women where girls were the heroines and agents of change, how working with the artists, advisors, and product developers helped to bring the characters off the page, how the American Girls have walked with Valerie through the many eras and changes of her own life, what she thinks her characters would be standing and speaking up for today, and how she finds hope and courage through her love of history.
Valerie also shares about her voracious reading life and why Eleanor Roosevelt became her lifelong mentor.
This episode is a masterclass in storytelling and how the stories we love shape and sustain us through the many seasons of our lives. It’s also a celebration of Valerie’s legacy within an influential company, her devoted friendship and gratitude to Pleasant Rowland, and her treasured connection to her community of readers (her “alums”) who still hold onto the hope of her stories today.
You may listen to this episode on Meg’s Reading Room (Ep. 125) wherever you listen to podcasts. I hope our conversation inspires you to celebrate the things that bring you joy, too.
Mentioned in this episode:
American Girl
Pleasant T. Rowland
Anne of Green Gables
Little Women
Understood Betsy
The Sherwood Ring
Janet Shaw
Susan Adler
Changes for Molly
Nellie's Promise
Really Truly Ruthie
Very Funny, Elizabeth
Brave Emily
My Antonia
Death Comes for the Archbishop
Elizabeth Strout
History Matters
No Ordinary Time
Charlotte's Web
Essays of E.B. White
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Music credit: Clavin Clavier
New Zealand