Time to Thrive

2026-05-03T12:36:00.004-05:00

Release day for Time to Thrive published by Future Horizons is Tuesday, May 5, 2026. I'm so excited!

Sharing my book at the Autism Info Blast 2025

2025-05-04T14:57:00.002-05:00

At the Autism Info Blast yesterday. We had a table to allow people to peruse the book, take a handout of the IEP Meeting Preparation Checklist, and free fidgets.

Me sitting at the table with books displayed

2025-04-30T13:55:00.001-05:00

I will be having a table at this event at the Battlefield Mall on May 3, 2025 from 10:00-3:00

Autism Info Blast

Illustrator Spotlight: Rashad Malik Davis

2017-08-18T23:31:00.001-05:00

"When Holly approached me for this project, I knew that this was something I could really sink my teeth into. I'm all about an inclusive world and showing, ultimately, our one-ness. This project could not have been more perfect for me.

"With our ever changing world that is being forced to understand its complexity and diversity, I knew that this project was timely and necessary. Amidst all of the negativity that we're bombarded with, it's nice to know that there are books like these that are helping us reshape and redefine our narrative!"

~~~

Rashad can most often be found sketching, writing, or engaging in exciting dialog about the magic and beauty – both seen and unseen – of our diverse world. He has illustrated for a #1 bestselling children’s book on Amazon entitled Sunne’s Gift: How Sunne Overcame Bullying to Reclaim God’s Gift.

Rashad resides in New Jersey with family and a wide array of pencils, pens, and unfinished how-to books. He has also recently illustrated his first children’s book in a series entitled “Carefree, Like Me!”. For more or to follow his work, please visit his website.

Full Text of the Book

2017-08-18T23:07:00.001-05:00

America Will Be Great

America will be great when all people feel safe, no matter the color of their skin, no matter where they were born, no matter who they love, and no matter where they do or do not worship.

America will be great when every person has a safe place to sleep at night and enough food to eat each day.

America will be great when every person can go to the doctor and get the medicine and care they need when they are sick.

America will be great when all people can get the education they need to do the work they love.

America will be great when acceptance, understanding, and love are the expectation for handling disagreements or differences.

America will be great when we value all people more than money or power.

America will be great when we see ability, value, and worth in all people.

America will be great when we welcome those from other places, recognizing that we have much to learn from each other, and the possibility of creating a bright future together.

America will be great when we value every person’s work and pay enough money for people to be able to meet all of their needs.

America will be great when we value peace and love equally for all people in all the world.

America will be great when we care about the planet and work to keep our lands, water, air, and habitats clean and safe for all that live there.

America will be great when we, the people, unite to make it so.

Words by Holly Ketchum

~~~~

This text is available as a fully illustrated children’s book.

To find out more about the book and to get a copy, visit:

www.hollyketchum.com

New Poster Available

2017-08-18T23:02:00.003-05:00

You can now download and print this 8x10 poster featuring one of the illustrations and the full text of the book.

Donation to Epic Arts Cambodia

2011-01-20T20:00:00.005-06:00

My child raised a total of $150 (some through sales of her story in "D Mouse's Christmas Adventure," some through private donations) to send to Epic Arts Cambodia (visit them HERE).

"In Cambodia, Epic Arts provides a range of professional dance, drama, music and art programs to people of all abilities and disabilities in order to promote empowerment, integration and acceptance. This is vital is a country where an estimated 1 in 10 people have some form of disability."

$150 can do a lot of good in a place where the per capita income averages around $2 a day, and about 30% of the population is at or below the poverty level of $0.45 a day per capita.

Congratulations, Clara! I am proud of you! And thanks to everyone else who participated in his fund raising endeavor!

Christmas Coloring Pages!

2010-10-07T18:43:00.005-05:00

Here are some free coloring pages you can download and print from the new book, D Mouse's Christmas Adventure! Feel free to share them with your friends, but please include a link back to this website. :)

1. D celebrates with a tasty Christmas cookie - download JPG or PDF

2. D's Candy Cane Wish Comes True - download JPG or PDF

3. O Christmas Tree - download JPG or PDF

4. D Keeps Warm in the Cold - download JPG or PDF

A BIG Thanks to Charissa for sharing these illustrations. Enjoy!

New Book Available: D Mouse's Christmas Adventure!

2010-09-19T21:54:00.004-05:00

We'll be sharing more in the days to come, but this is the first announcement that D Mouse's Christmas Adventure is now available for purchase.

Charissa provided more wonderful illustrations, which you can also see on her Facebook page, HERE.

You can purchase the book online at Amazon (HERE) or Create Space (HERE). The price is $10.

A portion of proceeds of the 2010 sells will go to support Epic Arts, an organization in Cambodia supporting people with disabilities to enjoy life and make a living through creative expression. (More info HERE)

But more on that later! :)

Wacky Story #1: Betty Redbreast Meets D Mouse

2010-08-21T20:15:00.007-05:00

Betty Redbreast Meets D Mouse

from www.hollyketchum.com

****************

I was ________________ (verb ending in “-ing”) for ________________ (noun) in the park when I ____________ (past-tense verb) under a large _______________ (adjective) _____________ (noun).

As I was _______________ (verb ending in "-ing") along, a drop of ________________ (type of liquid) shook loose from the ____________ (noun) above my _____________ (body part).

It ______________ (past-tense verb) to the ground with a ______________ (adjective) splash. It only met ___________ (a number) obstacle(s) along the way – my _______________ (body part).

I had just gotten the ____________ (adjective) force of that ____________ (type of liquid) droplet right in my ____________ (adjective) eyes, so I was blinking _______________ (adverb).

I couldn’t see very well, but I could see something out of the corner of my eye. It was _______________ (adjective). It was ______________ (adjective). And it was ___________________ (verb ending in "-ing") on the ground.

I was now tremendously ______________ (adjective) and ______________ (adjective), so I wasted no time in ________________ (verb ending in "-ing") on that unsuspecting _____________ (an animal).

But it turned out to be the _______________ (noun) of a rather small field mouse.

- Available as a PDF download HERE.

Wacky Story #1

2010-08-20T21:28:00.004-05:00

Wacky Story #1, "Betty Redbreast Meets D Mouse," is now available for download. Look for the link under the "Fun Activities" page!

Fun Activities Page - CLICK HERE

Download Wacky Story #1 - PDF (CLICK HERE) or ONLINE in html (CLICK HERE)

3 New Coloring Pages

2010-07-21T09:26:00.001-05:00

Here are some free coloring pages you can download and print. Feel free to share them with your friends, but please include a link back to this website. :)

1. Betty Redbreast Meets D Mouse - download JPG or PDF

2. D Mouse - Download JPG or PDF

3. D Becomes a Star - Download JPG or PDF

A BIG Thanks to Charissa for sharing these illustrations. Enjoy!