Holly Sterling
Holly is a children’s author and illustrator based in the North East of England.
She graduated from the University of Sunderland with a First Class Honours Degree in Illustration and Design in 2009 and from Edinburgh College of Art with a Master of Fine Art (MFA) with Distinction in 2013. In the same year she was Highly Commended for the ‘Macmillan Illustration Prize’ and the winner of the National Illustration Competition ‘Over the Hills and Away’ run by Seven Stories National Centre for Children’s Books and Frances Lincoln.
Her debut picture book ‘15 Things Not to do with a Baby’ written by Margi McAllister, was nominated for The Kate Greenaway Medal in 2016, and listed as one of The Independent on Sunday’s ‘Top 15 Books of 2015’. She has now illustrated 15 picture book titles including her most recent publication ‘Karate Kids’, published by Walker Books. This is her second author-illustrated title and brings together her passion for karate and illustration.
Diversity in all its forms is something that is extremely important to Holly. This feeds into the stories that she tells and the characters that she creates. Her desire is for every child to see themselves in the books that they read.
Holly Sterling is represented by Arabella Stein — to work with Holly please email Arabella
Reviews
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‘Sterling runs her own dojos in the north of England as well as being a retired karate Grand Champion, and her passion for karate and the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing it confers is obvious in this delightful book. A perfect read for little ones who might be starting a karate or other martial arts class, it’s reassuring, kind and will dispel any potential nervousness.’ Review by BookTrust
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“Frances Lincoln ensures cultural diversity is represented so these illustrations present a mixed race family. The style is fresh and young with beautiful colours and some lovely silly scenes” - Booktrust
Awards
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Shortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book of the Year 2021: Children’s Book of the Year with ‘Karate Kids’ (Walker Picture Books)
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Selected for the EmpathyLab’s Read for Empathy list 2018 with ‘15 Things Not to do with a Granny’, written by Margaret McAllister, published by Lincoln Children’s Books.
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Nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Award 2016 for ‘15 Things NOT to do with a Baby’, published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.
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Selected for the Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge 2015 with ‘15 Things Not to Do with a Baby’, written by Margaret McAllister, published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.
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Selected as one of the 12 best Children’s books of 2015 with ‘15 Things Not to Do with a Baby’ written by Margaret McAllister, published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. “A humorous take on the conflicting emotions that younger siblings can inspire.”
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One of the winners of the Seven Stories Nursery Rhyme illustration competition, to be included in ‘Over the Hills and Far Away: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes’, compiled by Elizabeth Hammill, published by Candlewick Press.
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Highly commended for the Macmillan Prize 2013 for ‘Hiccups!’, published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12089474

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12086940

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12083492

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12082550

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12082549

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12082548

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12082547

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12082546

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12081228

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12081227

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12081226

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12081225

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12080488

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12075667

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12075666

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067084

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067021

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067020

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067019

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067018

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067017

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067016

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12067015

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12066739

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12066738

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12064547

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12064546

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12064545

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12064544

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12060429

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12058792

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12051240

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12051112

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12051065

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12049906

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12049737

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12049310

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12049309

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12049308

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12049050

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12048660

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12048659

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© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12048658

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12048657

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12048656

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12046448

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12044176

Holly Sterling
© 2022 The Bright Agency
Reference Number: #12044175