About
"Ilona Holland brings history to life, guiding readers to fascinating moments from the past they never imagined."
– Jennifer Noonan, MLIS, Children’s Librarian.
Ilona is an educator and award-winning author. She spent over a decade teaching at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a formative evaluator, she conducted evaluations for PBS producers of programs like Martha Speaks, CyberChase, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, WordGirl, and Wild Kratt’s. Since retiring, she spends most of her time writing, visiting schools, speaking to civic organizations, and presenting at conferences..
Ilona’s titles have won state and national recognition and awards. Her first book, Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure is included in United Through Reading, a program that reaches 100,000 military families around the globe. Ilona’s other books have received first place awards given by the Delaware Press Association and the National Federation of Press Women. Her work has also been featured in Ed Magazine and her first book was selected as one of Hoda Kobt’s favorites.
- Judy Love, Illustrator
- The Mount Vernon Ladies Association
- National Park Trust
- Hagley Museum and Library
- Lewes Historical Society
- Maddy Law and Ami McConnell at the Ami McConnell Literary Agency
Recognition
George Washington's Remarkable Solutions awarded First Place for Children's Nonfiction by the Delaware Press Association (2025)
WATCH INTERVIEW
Ilona was inducted into the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame - 2022
The Great Explosion: A Powder Mill Chronicle awarded First Place for Children's Fiction by the Delaware Press Association (2021)
In 2019, Buddy Bison's Yellowstone Adventure was selected for inclusion in United Through Reading, a program serving over 100,000 families in which deployed military parents read to their children over distance
The Lost Locket of Lewes awarded First Place for Children's Fiction in NFPW’s 2019 National Communications Contest (2019)
Buddy Bison's Yellowstone Adventure selected "Hoda's Favorite Thing" on the national NBC television show, Kathie Lee and Hoda (2017)
The Lost Locket of Lewes awarded First Place for Children's Fiction by the Delaware Press Association (2019)
Recipient, Strong, Smart and Bold Award, Delaware Girls Inc. (2007)
Recipient of the Superstars! in Education Award for the creation of the Social Studies curriculum, An Introduction to Social Studies; Using Art as Primary and Secondary Source Materials, presented by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce (May 1996)
Media
March 2026
Charlie Sokaitis sits down with children’s author Ilona Holland to talk about her new book exploring George Washington and his many innovations.
DECEMBER 27, 2024
Listen to Ilona E. Holland as she reads her book, The Lost Locket of Lewes
DECEMBER 10, 2024
Hear Dr. Kinga Petrovai interview Ilona E. Holland about building the career of her dreams.
JANUARY 6, 2021
Follow the events that led to the Great Explosion of 1818 at Eleutherian Mills in Wilmington, DE. Hear Historian Lucas Clawson and author Ilona Holland discuss the momentous event that shook the region in this interview at Hagley Museum and Library.
December 11, 2020
Dr. Libby thanks Dr. Holland for her presentation at Shields Elementary School
OCTOBER 23, 2019
United Through Reading and National Park Trust partnered together to present a special recording of Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure by Ilona E. Holland, narrated by Sergeant Major Daniel Dailey, the 15th SMA of the U.S. Army.
May 17, 2019
Listen to this early interview with Ilona E. Holland about writing her first book.
April 15, 2019
Watch as Ilona E Holland describes her book, The Lost Locket of Lewes with illustrator Judy Love.
MARCH 31, 2016
See how Ilona E. Holland’s career began as she published her first children’s book, Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure.
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