The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism

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Overview

Thank you for taking this journey with us. We hope this book brings a new awareness of the opportunity we have to help those with autism learn to communicate and realize their ambitions. People with autism have the potential to achieve great things, but only when given the appropriate support and education. This is why the Golden Hat Foundation was formed. All author proceeds from this book go directly to the Golden Hat Foundation. With your help, we can change the world for people with autism. For more ...

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More About This Book

Overview

Thank you for taking this journey with us. We hope this book brings a new awareness of the opportunity we have to help those with autism learn to communicate and realize their ambitions. People with autism have the potential to achieve great things, but only when given the appropriate support and education. This is why the Golden Hat Foundation was formed. All author proceeds from this book go directly to the Golden Hat Foundation. With your help, we can change the world for people with autism. For more information about the Golden Hat Foundation and ways you can help, please visit our website: www.goldenhatfoundation.org

“I simply couldn’t conceive of how devastating it would be not to be able to hear my children’s voices. Not to be able to communicate with them, to hear them learn, grow, and express themselves verbally. How fortunate, how blessed I am. This overwhelmed me. I can talk to my children, I can respond to their needs and comfort them when they tell me they are unwell. I can tell them stories and hear them tell theirs.”

Kate Winslet

Imagine what it would be like not to be able to communicate with those we love. For many individuals living with nonverbal autism and their families, this is their everyday reality. The Golden Hat is an intimate response to this reality created by Kate Winslet, Margret Ericsdottir, and her son Keli, who has nonverbal autism.

Kate and Margret’s stories, their personal email correspondence, and Keli’s poetry give us a profound insight into the world of those living with autism. Kate has shared this story with some of the world’s most famous people, posing the question: “What is important to you to express?” Their responses are a collection of intimate self-portraits and unique quotes. Among them are:

Christina Aguilera

Zac Efron

Julianne Moore

Maria Sharapova

Kobe Bryant

James Franco

Rosie O’Donnell

Ben Stiller

Michael Caine

Ricky Gervais

Michael Phelps

Meryl Streep

Kim Cattrall

Tom Hanks

John C. Reilly

Justin Timberlake

George Clooney

Elton John

Tim Robbins

Naomi Watts

Leonardo DiCaprio

Jude Law

Kristin Scott Thomas

Oprah Winfrey

Put together by Kate, Margret, and the dedicated team who work daily on the Golden Hat Foundation, this project has been a labor of love.

All the author proceeds from this groundbreaking book will benefit the Golden Hat Foundation, founded by Kate Winslet and Margret Ericsdottir to build innovative living campuses for people with autism and raise public awareness of their intellectual capabilities.

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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

"I knew that I couldn't just lend my voice to this documentary and go home." The speaker is Kate Winslet and the documentary was A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism, the story of Margaret Ericsdottir and her 14-year-old son Keli, who has severe, nonverbal autism. True to her word, Winslet not only befriended Ericsdottir; the two created the Golden Hat Foundation to raise awareness about children and autism, especially those who are nonverbal. In more than one sense, Winslet has been passing around that golden hat, sending a somewhat tattered headgear to celebrity friends and requesting them that they photograph themselves wearing it. Each photo is accompanied by the written words of men and women, boys and girls who live from within the worlds of nonverbal autism. Hats off to a humane project!

— Alisa Schnaars

Publishers Weekly
While making the English-language recording of the Icelandic documentary on autism, A Mother’s Courage, in 2009, actress Winslet befriended the film’s creator, Margret Ericsdottir, and her young son Keli, who suffered from severe nonverbal autism. At age 10, Keli, who had been unreachable and deemed to have a mental capacity of a two-year-old, suddenly found expression through the use of a letterboard, with the shattering words: “I am real.” In fact, Keli had been aware all the while yet unable to break the “locked bars” of autism. Winslet started up the Golden Hat Foundation—titled after Keli’s poem about a magical golden hat that could talk—as a way to generate money for the cause and create learning communities for the children; she enlisted the support of famous faces who agreed to photograph themselves with Winslet’s beatup trilby accompanied by a quote sounding in some fashion the urgency for expression. (Winslet’s quote: “I’m here, and I love you.”) From the first participant, Meryl Streep, through other familiar names often depicted in unfamiliar, stark black-and-white settings, all wearing or posing with the hat (John Krasinski wonders from the bathtub, “Let’s take a chance!”; Emily Blunt vogues, “Is anybody listening?”; Elton John grins, “I’m nobody, but I’m alive and I matter”; Woody Allen covers his face, growling, “Get off my property”), these are engaging, moving public gestures for a notable cause. Testimonials by autistic young people including Keli lend the entire effort warmth and sincerity. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
“There are gems in this unusual autism book.”—Booklist

“Readers will come away with an understanding that although children with autism cannot always speak, they have much to say. In addition, photos of many of today’s most popular stars will have broad appeal.”—Library Journal

“Winslet started up the Golden Hat Foundation as a way to generate money for the cause [of creating learning communities for autistic children]; she enlisted the support of famous faces who agreed to photograph themselves with Winslet's beatup trilby. . . . These are engaging, moving public gestures for a notable cause.”—Publishers Weekly

"A moving, sanguine labor of love."—Kirkus Reviews

Library Journal
Actress Winslet compiled this book in an effort to raise awareness about autism as well as raise funds for her autism nonprofit, the Golden Hat Foundation. After narrating A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism, a documentary about Margrét Ericsdóttir and her nonverbal, ASD-diagnosed son Keli, Winslet was inspired by Keli's story of learning to communicate via a letter board after years of silence. The titular "golden hat" of Winslet's book and foundation comes from one of Keli's poems. Pictures of celebrities wearing this special hat comprise a large percentage of the book. What is most moving, though, are the photos of young people with autism wearing the same hat. Proceeds from sales of this book will be used to pay for long-term living and working arrangements for adults with severe autism. VERDICT Readers will come away with an understanding that although children with autism cannot always speak, they have much to say. In addition, photos of many of today's most popular stars will have broad appeal. [See Prepub Alert, 10/31/11.]—T.L.
Kirkus Reviews
Hollywood rallies for a unique charitable venture. In 2010, award-winning actress Winslet narrated the documentary A Mother's Courage about the plight of Margret Ericsdottir, loving mother to teenaged son Keli, who was stricken with nonverbal autism. The film drew widespread attention for its stark depiction of a child silenced by the ailment, able to communicate with only pen and paper, and of the lack of support and resources available to families surviving with it. Ericsdottir and Winslet remained close, yet as a mother of two "verbal, expressive, affectionate children," Winslet continued to be moved by Keli's poetry and creative writing, along with the stories Margret shared by email. In a particularly heart-rending section, Ericsdottir shares her heartbreaking story of love and devotion to a son struggling to communicate everything from food choices to nagging physical pain from osteoporosis. The humanitarian actress soon resolved to do something beneficial for the cause. She began sending around an old tattered hat to celebrities, requesting they photograph themselves wearing it along with a witty, personally worded expression. The photographs—ranging from the humorous (Conan O'Brien, Steven Soderbergh) to the heartfelt (Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey) to the bizarre (Woody Allen, Edward Burns)—are all prefaced by the powerfully poignant "first words" of ten pictured individuals with nonverbal autism. Many pronouncements overshadow their accompanying photographs. Kylie Minogue offers, "I can still hear you, even though the show has finished. Can you hear me?"; both South African designer Albertus Swanepoel and Jodie Foster plead, "Don't give up on me." The book's proceeds fund "The Golden Hat Foundation" to create autistic awareness and assisted-living campuses for those affected. A moving, sanguine labor of love.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781451645439
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  • Publication date: 3/27/2012
  • Pages: 286
  • Product dimensions: 8.48 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 1.08 (d)

Meet the Author

Kate Winslet is one of the world’s best known and best-loved Academy Award-winning actresses. She made her film debut at the age of seventeen and is the youngest actress ever to have received six Academy Award nominations. Kate has two children, Mia and Joe, and divides her time between New York and the UK.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 21 )
Rating Distribution

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(17)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 21 Customer Reviews

  • Posted March 29, 2012

    WOW--Love this book!!

    I don't have any personal connections to autism, but this book really opened my eyes. I just had no idea that kids with really severe autism were paying attention. I took this book to lunch with my girl friends yesterday and they all wanted my copy. I'm going to buy one for my mom and sisters. The pics of the celebrities are just stunning and way more real than what you'd normally see (they're not photoshopped or touched up).

    Hat's off.. pun intended.. to Kate and the Golden Hat for opening my eyes to such an overlooked population of people.

    btw, i saw on their website this golden wall where you can upload your photo with the gold hat and be a part of the book with the celebs. very cool!!!!!

    7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 29, 2012

    An incredibly touching book that will change your perspective

    This book will be gracing my coffee table for a long time. When I first got it, I couldn't put it down and flipped through every page and it just got better. I loved hearing the story of the Golden Hat and the sweet boy who inspired the heroin, Kate Winslet.

    The pictures were great and the quotes were even better.

    A MUST buy!!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 17, 2012

    This book will touch your heart like no other. The essays and c

    This book will touch your heart like no other. The essays and comments of the children in this book who each day must communicate in a nontraditional way are amazing. It truly speaks to every person who has ever known or come in contact with a person living with autism - "ASSUME COMPETENCE!" The thoughts and ideas expressed by the children in this book are wonderful, intelligent and humorous! A loving and thought provoking book. The comments and photographs of the celebrities in this book are fun to look at and read, but it is the children with autism that are the real stars in this book! What a wonderful project Ms. Winslet took under her hat.....

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 30, 2012

    I Also Recommend:

    The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism

    A book everyone will love

    I have a 17-year-old son with nonverbal autism and I'm so excited to finally find a book that appeals to the masses that may actually catch on with the general public.

    Kate Winslet did a great thing by getting all of these famous faces involved. It's a really beautiful book.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 29, 2012

    Wish I thought of this idea..

    I saw Kate on GMA and went out and bought this book at B&N. I just think this idea was totally genius and can't imagine the time and effort it must've taken to track down all those famous people and get them to take a photo in the hat.

    So neat that hollywood is willing to take a candid pic and put their name behind this worthy cause. Such a cool story.

    Goo Kate Gooo!!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 16, 2012

    Way to go Kate!!!

    Well, I knew that Kate was beautiful, but now that I know how kind her heart is, I am truly a fan! Forget Titanic, buy this book! My son has autism and has dealt with so much prejudice just because he can't talk, I am going to have to buy the store out just to give to all of the teachers he has ever had. John (my son) loved seeing his picture of him wearing the golden hat on their website too. Get this book, its a must read!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 2, 2012

    Power of Love!

    This is one of the most inspirational books about autism I have ever bought, and I buy almost all of them! It is full of compassion and kindness between two moms, Kate Winslet and Ericsdottir (who has a son with autism) and the difference moms can make for the benefit of all children with autism.

    It helped me stay optimistic through my difficult days with my own two children with autism and empowered me, gave me hope and faith to keep on going. I would go so far as to say it is one of the best self- help books I have come across. It shows that all you need is love and a little bit of luck and you can make a difference in the lives of these children and their families.

    And then on top of everything else it is the coolest coffee table book I have ever owned! I was pleasantly surprised by all these famous people who supported autism by photographing themselves: Julia Roberts, Leonardo Di Caprio, Tom Hanks, Penelope Cruz, Oprah, George Clooney, Ben Stiller, Natalie Portman, Johnny Depp and so many more! What else could bring so much attention to the general public who knows nothing about autism? It’s pretty obvious to me that this star-power can really liberate children with autism just by acknowledging that they exist – that they are human beings like me and you. People in general ignore autism and those with autism; they feel it is not their problem. Hopefully this book will lure them in and bring attention to our special kids. I am really grateful to Kate Winslet and all the famous people in the book for taking time to help my children and others like them.

    This book is so much more than pictures of celebrities; I have finally found a book which has lifted my spirits and shown me once and for all that through love and generosity everything is possible. I am going to keep that message close to my heart and The Golden Hat book by my side. I would recommend it to everyone, especially since they say the proceeds are going to the charity Kate Winslet founded to help people with autism.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 6, 2012

    A charitable outstanding book on autism

    Cant imagine kids or adults with severe autism who could not speak until now by using letter boards and new technology that helps give them a voice they never thought they had. A humbling read and thankful for a healthy child but happy to support those less fortunate. Support autism by reading today!

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  • Posted April 16, 2012

    Celebs yes, but the story is the reason to buy!

    There may be 100 celebrities in this book, but to me the most heart wrenching was the poetry by Keli. He is such an inspiration! I hope he does another book someday. I read his poems to my son, I could tell it meant a lot to him. Please Kate, keep up the good work and may The Golden Hat Foundation continue to get the word out!

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  • Posted April 16, 2012

    Loved it!

    Very cool book!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 12, 2012

    Not only is this book visually captivating, (with the celebritie

    Not only is this book visually captivating, (with the celebrities taking self-portraits wearing Kate Winslet's "golden hat") but the email communication between Kate and Margret is emotionally stirring. To see the willingness of someone totally unconnected to autism, such as Kate, join forces with Margret to help the plight of those with autism is so refreshing. The real show-stopper, however, are the quotes and photos from the children with non-verbal autism. Incredible. This is a great gift I have shared with several teachers, and image we'd all feel good giving this to others. Thanks @ Sarah for the review and the mentioning of the Golden Wall and uploading a picture and donate to the Golden Hat Foundation. Very cool indeed!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 7, 2012

    Autism

    Well this book was amazing my son has autism and this book will make you laugh and cry. Its very hard to have a son or daughter with autism if you have a friend that you know who has a son or daughter with autism tell them about this book or you might have a son or daughter with autism pick up this book and read it its fantastic!!!!! If you have a son or a daughter with autism or even a sibling of a disability its a blessing there are angles from heaven gid gave us them for a good reason so pick up this book try it its breath taking!!!!

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  • Posted April 1, 2012

    Excellent book!

    The celeb pics are terrific, the story of Keli is inspiring, his poems are outstanding, and the emails between Kate and Margret give great insight to how it all got started.

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    Posted April 7, 2012

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    Posted March 29, 2012

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    Posted July 30, 2012

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    Posted April 9, 2012

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    Posted March 29, 2012

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