During the week of May 20th, all primary school children in Amsterdam will receive a vibrant gift: the brand-new read-aloud book “Nine & Mella – A Celebration in Amsterdam” by none other than Ellen Brudet. A book full of familiar adventures, joyful moments, and heartfelt stories – written by someone who truly knows the city inside out.
Nine & Mella Celebrate with All of Amsterdam
Ellen Brudet, founder of Colourful Goodies, doesn’t write imaginary tales. She writes about children who actually exist. Children who dash through the streets of Noord, stroll past the Cat Boat on the Singel, or celebrate Keti Koti with their grandma. With “Nine & Mella – A Celebration in Amsterdam,” she pays tribute to the city and its people, right in the year Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary.
This book is not for sale, but is being gifted to every primary school student in Amsterdam. Why? Because every child deserves to see themselves reflected in a story. Because reading should celebrate who you are, where you live, and what makes you unique.
A Lesson Beyond Language
The book comes with a teaching guide full of assignments and discussion questions, aligned with citizenship education. This way, the stories are not only read, but also explored, felt, and experienced. The teaching guide is available for free via kinderboeken.nl, making the book a valuable tool in the classroom.
Book Ellen for a Visit to Your School or Library
Want to hear Ellen Brudet read aloud from her book in person? You can!
Ellen is happy to visit schools, libraries or cultural centers as part of the Amsterdam 750 celebrations. Her reading sessions are inspiring and deeply connecting. A workshop by Ellen is perfect for a theme day about diversity, culture, or the city of Amsterdam.
Book Ellen via the workshop page on colourfulgoodies.nl
Or email: promotie@wpgmedia.nl, mentioning “750 years of Amsterdam”
Why This Book Belongs at Colourful Goodies
At Colourful Goodies, we have celebrated the power of representation since day one. Whether it’s a doll with vitiligo or a book filled with children from different backgrounds – everyone matters. That’s why we’re incredibly proud of Ellen, of this book, and of the fact that so many Amsterdam children will now hold something that truly reflects them.
Colour. Love. Inclusion.
That’s Colourful Goodies. And that’s Nine & Mella – A Celebration in Amsterdam.
Want to book Ellen for a live visit, read more about her books, or see what Colourful Goodies does to empower children of colour?
Visit our workshop page
And follow us on Instagram for snapshots from the festive book launch: @colourfulgoodies
SoSo Lobi – Nothing but Love,
The Colourful Goodies Team