Michelle Martin is a former pediatric nurse who now works in sales. A lifelong lover of children and storytelling, she always dreamed of becoming a children’s book author.

The inspiration for Valerie the Vole: The Adventure Begins! came when her son was just three years old. Every spring, voles would leave trails and damage throughout their yard. Rather than focusing on the frustration, Michelle imagined a sweet little vole named Valerie who simply wanted to make friends with her son. That simple idea blossomed into a heartwarming story about friendship, imagination, and perseverance.

Michelle wrote most of the book when her son was three, adding to the story over the years as it continued to grow. When her son became a teenager, she decided it was finally time to bring Valerie’s adventure to life and share it with young readers everywhere.

Michelle hopes her story encourages children to use their imaginations, embrace kindness, and discover that even the smallest creatures can have the biggest hearts.