Valerie Worth Bahlke, who wrote under her maiden name Valerie Worth, was an American poet and children's book author. Born in Philadelphia in 1933, she spent her formative years in Pennsylvania before her family's moves took them to Florida and then India. She returned to Pennsylvania for college, earning an English degree with High Honors. After marrying and settling in Clinton, New York, where her husband taught, Worth began her writing career. Her introduction to the publishing world came through author Natalie Babbitt, who recommended Worth's poetry to an editor. This led to the publication of her first collection, "Small Poems," in 1972, which featured illustrations by Babbitt. Worth continued to publish numerous poetry collections, including "More Small Poems," "Still More Small Poems," and "All the Small Poems," often collaborating with illustrators like Babbitt and Antonio Frasconi. In addition to her poetry, she also penned young adult novels and a picture book. Worth received recognition for her contributions to children's literature, including the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 1991. She passed away in 1994.

Valerie Worth was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Her father was a biology professor at Swarthmore College. The family relocated to Tampa, Florida, for four years, followed by a year spent in Bangalore, India. Worth eventually returned to Swarthmore for her higher education, where she completed her degree in English with High Honors in 1955. Following her graduation, she married George Bahlke.

After a period of moving, Valerie Worth and her husband settled in Clinton, New York. It was there, through an informal writers group, that she met Natalie Babbitt. Babbitt, already an established author, recognized Worth's talent and introduced her work to her editor, Michael di Capua at Farrar, Straus & Giroux. This connection resulted in the publication of Worth's debut collection, "Small Poems," in 1972, which was accompanied by illustrations from Babbitt. Worth's subsequent "Small Poems" volumes, including "More Small Poems," "Still More Small Poems," and "All the Small Poems," also featured Babbitt's artistic contributions. Later works, such as "At Christmastime," were illustrated by Antonio Frasconi. Beyond poetry, Worth also authored young adult novels like "Gypsy Gold" and "Fox Hill," and a picture book titled "Curlicues: The Fortunes of Two Pug Dogs," which was also illustrated by Babbitt. Several collections were published posthumously, with illustrations by Steve Jenkins.

Valerie Worth's contributions to poetry, particularly for children, garnered significant recognition. In 1991, she was honored with the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children by the National Council of Teachers of English. While the provided text focuses on her biographical and bibliographical details, her "Small Poems" collections are noted for their accessible language and often explore everyday subjects with a gentle, observant perspective. Her work, though not explicitly esoteric, often invites readers to find wonder and depth in the ordinary, a characteristic that can resonate with those who appreciate subtle philosophical undertones in literature.