Bear, Bobbin and The Winter Festival

About Val Jones

Award-winning author Val Jones aims to spread joy understanding and acceptance for all 'just as they are' in her picture books featuring a rainbow patched neurodiverse and non-gendered bear. The International Book Awards winning Bear: A Story of Autism and Difference International Book Awards Finalist Bear and The Lost Tooth and the newest story Bear Bobbin and The Winter Festival can each be appreciated in isolation or as a series. Val's Bear stories enrich social discussions teach about emotions and help build connections between children their friends and families. Val likes to add a 'bit of fun' to each story through links to other stories or details in the images. As a special needs teacher autism advisor and inclusion team leader Val has helped enhance understanding of autism and additional needs provided direct intervention and support for children and created resources that are in use nationally and internationally. Resources and educational activities that can be used alongside her Bear stories can be accessed through bearautism.comVal loves living near the sea with her husband and visits with her family and friends. She enjoys running swimming snorkelling photography painting and making sea glass art. She creates gifs to share Bears inclusive message that can be found by searching bear autism in social media gifs and stickers.