The Adventures of Valiant Valentina: The First Day of School (Signed Copies)

Vanessa Barrera is a writer, artist, singer, entrepreneur, marketer, and lifelong creative living in Alpine, New Jersey, with her husband, daughters, and family pup, Ollie. 

Throughout her career, Vanessa has worked with major brands in marketing and creative leadership roles while continuing to pursue her passion for storytelling, writing, art, music, and community involvement. 

She currently serves as president of her daughters’ school HSA and volunteers as chair of her town’s Recreation Committee, where she helps create meaningful experiences for local families and children. Most recently, Vanessa appears as a cast member on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. 

The inspiration for The Adventures of Valiant Valentina came after the loss of her first daughter, Valentina, whose brief but courageous life forever changed her perspective. Over time, Vanessa found herself imagining all the moments she had hoped to experience with her daughter—the first day of school, playground adventures, holidays, friendships, and life’s many small challenges. 

Those daydreams slowly became stories. Today, Valentina’s adventures are inspired not only by her memory, but also by the experiences Vanessa shares with her daughters Valerie and Sofia, whose personalities, milestones, and everyday adventures continue to shape the stories. 

Through Valiant Valentina’s adventures, Vanessa hopes to create comforting, reassuring stories that help children discover the courage, kindness, and confidence already living inside them.