Hollis Kurman writes poetry and children’s stories. Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses, illustrated by Barroux and published by Otter-Barry Books, is Hollis' debut picture book. Her poems (one nominated for a Pushcart Prize) have been published in multiple journals.

When not writing, Hollis moderates literary events and is Chairperson of the Ivy Circle Netherlands; Supervisory Board member of Save the Children NL; member of the Fulbright Board NL; Founder of the Human Rights Watch NL Committee and member of HRW Women’s Rights Advisory Council. She was born in New York but lives in an old canal house in Amsterdam with her Dutch husband.

Barroux was born in Paris and grew up in Morocco. He is author and illustrator of many books, published all over the world, and children in need are a special theme of his. From the 2005 Enfantasie Award to the English PEN Award and the Prix Médecins Sans Frontières in 2015, he has won numerous honours and awards. His books include Line of Fire with Michael Morpurgo, and Alpha with Bessora, as well as picture books for younger children including Where's the Elephant? and Welcome!