Successful campaign to support Dutch local bookstores – sales volumes nearly doubled
January 19, 2021
Over two hundred writers called on their social media followers to buy books from their local bookstores in lockdown.
Over two hundred writers called on their social media followers to buy books from their local bookstores in lockdown.
Ga naar de website van je favoriete boekwinkel, mail of bel en bestel vandaag nog. ❤️📚
Hollis’ Storytime reading for Second Star on the Right on Instagram TV
A beautiful reading of Hello! for the German branch of the UNO/UNHCR.
“The best storytellers bring complex ideas to life with deceptive simplicity.”
On 27 January 2021, Hollis will be interviewed about Hello! / Counting Kindness – the journey from idea to publication, how to approach publicity in a pandemic, and other words of advice to fellow writers.
Alumni event: Penn Class of 1985 Book Discussion with Author Classmates Hollis Kurman and Rich Tola
“Hollis Kurman Highlights Human Rights in Her New Picture Book”, interview by Elisabeth Norton
Next Saturday, Hollis will read Counting Kindness in an online event for Second Star to the Right book store.
Watch last weekend’s event on Instagram.
Please put lots of books on your gift lists this year… and Buy Early, Buy Local! What would we do without our wonderful local booksellers?
Counting Kindness has been awarded the 2020 Northern Lights Book Award in the concept category Counting.
Alumni magazine of the University of Pennsylvania (Hollis’ alma mater), featured a piece about Counting Kindness
Exciting news! ‘Hello!’ has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2021, awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration.
Dutch LOWAN foundation is offering a copy of the book to schools who describe the special initiatives they have to welcome young newcomer/immigrant students.
During Children’s Book Week, Hollis visited the International School of Amsterdam to share Hello! during remote sessions with the students.
The Italian edition of Hello! / Counting Kindness & its title have been announced! After a lot of covid-related delay, Tutti Contano! will finally be available in Italy in January 2021. The editor of Edizioni Clichy presented the book as
Watch the sign language version on youtube or on our Extras page!
Meeting with the wonderful John Adams Institute team to discuss events in the time of corona… and my book. Hollis Kurman publishes picture book
Proud and pleased that Counting Kindness is out today in the US!
Stopped by ABC @americanbookcenterabc to sign copies of my book (and buy someone else’s!), a great way to kick off #independentbookstoreday
This summer, Hollis attended the SCBWI online Summer Spectacular for children’s book writers and illustrators. A, of course, COVID-proof online conference featuring “The biggest end brightest stars in the children’s litarature galaxy”, with keynotes, panels and more. Great experience!
What happens at the Summer Spectacular doesn’t necessarily have to stay there. Lots of books by participants are available at their bookstore, amongst which: Click each cover to visit its page in the store!
“A unique counting book that’s full of empathy and hope for children everywhere.”
“This counting book by Hollis Kurman with illustrations by Barroux is a poignant book that centres on themes of migration, refugees and inclusivity…Not only is this beautifully illustrated, it educates children in a number of ways and is a great addition to an inclusive bookshelf.”
“The warmth of the beautiful illustrations enhance the simple text enabling young readers to follow the journey of this refugee family and encouraging them to join in with counting… a gentle introduction to the plight of refugee children for the very young. It could provide the perfect starting point for conversations about this important topic in educational settings and at home.”
“A beautiful and unusual counting book redolent with empathy and inclusivity. (…) …this is an outstanding example of how a deceptively simple picturebook can develop empathy and understanding. Highly recommended.”
Otter-Barry Books on twitter on the U.K. launch of Hello!:
The June 15 Amnesty International UK newsletter for Refugee Week featured Hello!, pointing readers to the read aloud and the Q&A. Here is an excerpt: Things to do from home or share during Refugee Week Keep an eye on our social
Hollis’ poem ‘And Now’ has been published on Global Poemic, with art work by Eva Mantell.
“It’s a perfect situation book and also a lovely read.”
As Chairperson of the Ivy Circle, Hollis shared a message with Ivy Circle members regarding systemic racism and the brutal death of George Floyd.
On June 15, at the start of World Refugee Week, Dutch publisher Rubinstein is launching the special counting book Iedereen telt mee!
New Zealand-based poet Sophia Wilson quotes Hollis’ poem Oxygen in an article about loss and love in times of Covid-19.
Now available in French! ‘Salut les p’tits amis! Un livre pour apprendre à compter et à être solidaire’ launched in France on 20 May 2020.
Hollis has joined the Supervisory Board / Raad van Toezicht of Save the Children Netherlands.
Watch the turbo preview of ‘Counting Kindness‘ in the Charlesbridge 2020 Book Buzz, previewing their children’s book catalogue for 2020.
On 13 May, 2020, Ivy Circle members are welcome to join a Town Hall meeting with US Ambassador to The Netherlands, Peter Hoekstra.
Today the first advance copies have arrived! My début picture book braved the covid journey and made it to my doorstep in 4 languages: ‘Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses’ (UK) ‘Counting Kindness: Ten Ways to Welcome Refugee Children’ (US)
Bookbrunch’s Mary Hoffman found a way to visit The Bologna Children’s Book fair, although it has been cancelled. At Otter-Barry Books, she found Hello! / Counting Kindness, of course…
From Pinterest Canada: ‘Counting Kindness’ has already been selected among the 91 Best Books for Kids in 2020!
Dutch version of Hello! in the spring catalogue of Rubinstein publishers.
The ‘Kunst in Vrijheid’ event has been postponed until further notice given COVID-19 safety concerns and regulations
Hollis Kurman will moderate this symposium to celebrate 75 years of freedom, exploring the theme of artists being able to create and express themselves freely.
The new Otter-Barry Books catalogue (Jan-June 2020) is out, featuring Barroux’s gorgeous illustration from Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses. Counting down the months…!
We are delighted to announce that Charlesbridge will be the U.S. publishers of Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses.
On 31 October, 2019, Hollis moderated an Ivy Circle event on ‘The Gig Economy’ with Professor Diane Mulchay, author of ‘The Gig Economy’ (hosted by Egon Zehnder Amsterdam).
If you’re in Amsterdam, come perform or just join in for the ABC Open Mic session at the American Book Center (Friday, 13 September, 2019 at ABC – Het Spui, Amsterdam). Performers should sign up by 17:00; session begins at
Please join the Ivy Circle and its partners for their annual Education Fairs this Fall: Ivy Circle MBA Fair 2019 Amstelveen, The Netherlands; 19 September 2019 At our 13th annual Amsterdam MBA Fair, Ivy Circle with the support of Roland
Jonathan Safran Foer – We are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast. On 3 September 2019, Hollis Kurman moderated the John Adams Institute event with internationally renowned writer Jonathan Safran Foer. Foer talked about climate change and explained
From 10-14 July 2019, Hollis attended the Southampton Writers Conference 2019 in Southampton, New York, where she participated in the children’s book writing workshop with award-winning children’s book author-illustrator Dan Yaccarino.
© copyright by Hollis Kurman, 2019-2021