Children’s Books from Holland
ederlands N letterenfonds dutch foundation for literature
Spring 2020 2 Children’s Books from Holland
The Netherlands’ major awards Zilveren Penselen for children’s books in 2019
Gouden Griffel Gouden Penseel Van twee ridders Imme Dros Harrie Geelen (ill.) (Querido)
Zeb. Gideon Samson Joren Joshua (ill.) (Leopold)
Zeb. Mijn wonderlijke oom Gideon Samson Yvonne Jagtenberg Joren Joshua (ill.) (Rubinstein) (Leopold) Vosje Edward van de Vendel Marije Tolman (ill.) (Querido) Zilveren Griffels
Droomopa Vosje Het mysterie van niks De reis van De bromvliegzwaan en Dolf Verroen Edward van de Vendel en oneindig veel snot Syntax Bosselman andere verhalen over onze taal Charlotte Dematons (ill.) Marije Tolman (ill.) Jan Paul Schutten Arend van Dam Arend van Dam (Leopold) (Querido) Floor Rieder (ill.) Alex de Wolf (ill.) Anne Stalinski (ill.) (Gottmer) (Van Holkema & (Van Holkema & Warendorf) Warendorf)
Dioraphte Literatour Prize from 15 years up
De dag die nooit komt Oliver Reps (De Harmonie)
Laat een boodschap Zo kreeg Midas Vriendschap is alles achter in het zand ezelsoren Stine Jensen Bibi Dumon Tak Maria van Donkelaar Karst-Janneke Rogaar (ill.) Annemarie van Sylvia Weve (ill.) (Kluitman) Haeringen (ill.) (Gottmer) (Querido) 3 Children’s Books from Holland
Gideon Samson A little girl who wants a pet — Gideon Gideon Samson (b. 1985) is one Samson and Milja Praagman have taken of the Netherlands’ most versatile & Milja Praagman children’s writers and has made a this everyday story and created a happy real impact with his great empathy, I Want a Horse picture book with a twist. clear writing style and ingenious ideas. Two outstanding examples of Bobbie wants a horse for her birthday. his work: the award-winning dark YA But she gets a bike. Triumphantly riding novel Zwarte Zwaan (2012) and the highly acclaimed absurdist collec- around on her steel horse, she plays a tion of stories Zeb. (2018). In I Want familiar and imaginative game with reality. a Horse, Samson worked for the first Bobbie is well aware that her horse has time with celebrated illustrator Milja two wheels, but she is not prepared to give Praagman (b. 1971), whose fresh up on her dream of a horse. She decides to and distinctive graphic style results in colourful and naive pictures. trade her bike, first for a scooter, then a car, a boat, and finally — yes! — a blue horse. Author Gideon Samson At least, that’s what Praagman’s naive Illustrator Milja Praagman illustrations show: Samson’s nicely Age 3+ musical story (perfect for reading aloud) Pages 32 Publisher Gottmer tells us that Bobbie is actually trading one Contact horse for another with every exchange. So Mara Joustra has her fanciful wish come true? Nothing [email protected] is as it seems in this colourful adventure Rights sold for young readers, in which words and Denmark (Turbine) pictures complement each other perfectly.
‘Original and amusing, not least because of the well-thought-out form in which this little adventure for the youngest readers is cast.’ – NRC Handelsblad
Jan Jutte One snowy day, Josefien meets a tiger Jan Jutte (b.1953) has won the in the woods. prestigious Gouden Penseel, the Tiger most important Dutch prize for illustrated children’s books, three She takes it home and before long the tiger times. is a familiar sight around town. Three- time Gouden Penseel winner Jan Jutte Author & illustrator Jan Jutte captures the special friendship between Age 3+ Pages 50 the old lady and the big cat in robust, Publisher Lemniscaat expressive brushstrokes. The flaming Contact orange of the tiger leaps off the pages — Robin van der Gaag until the animal hangs his head and loses [email protected] his stripes. Tiger is missing his jungle. Rights sold Denmark (Turbine), France (Les Éditions des Éléphants), Jutte has written and illustrated a glowing Italy (Il Castello), Korea (Moon1000), picture book about unselfish friendship. English Worldwide (Lemniscaat Because when Josefien realizes Tiger is no Ltd.) longer happy in civilization, she takes him all the way home. The subdued palette, the graphic figures and the timeless story make this book a modern classic.
‘A heart-warming picture book about loss, comfort and friendship.’ – Trouw
‘A warm read-aloud story in which Jutte alternates between tranquillity and exuberance.’ – Jaapleest.nl 4 Children’s Books from Holland
Koos Meinderts A man lives on a desert island, where Koos Meinderts retells folk tales one day he finds a map in a bottle with and fairy stories and writes books for & Sanne te Loo children of all ages. In 2017 he won the words: ‘Find the treasure.’ He does the Gouden Griffel for Naar het The Man with the not really want to leave his island, as he is Noorden. Sanne te Loo illustrates having a fine time on his own. However, books by other writers and some- Sea-Green Eyes he builds a boat and sails away and meets times writes them herself. She won the woman of his dreams, but still he a Zilveren Penseel in 2018 for Dit is voor jou. keeps on looking for the treasure. He searches and searches — and eventually Author Koos Meinderts realizes that he has already found what Illustrator Sanne te Loo he wants. Age 3+ Pages 32 Publisher Hoogland en Van A classic picture book with alluring Klaveren illustrations full of glorious colours. Contact An accessible story about being happy Elaine Michon alone and together. The exuberant pictures [email protected] by Sanne te Loo, full of flowers, birds, beach and sea, support and elevate the calm story. Happiness is sometimes already right under your nose — you just have to see it.
‘A beautifully dreamy picture book’ – de Volkskrant
‘Written with great care and poetic sensitivity’ – Tzum
Annet Schaap ‘Something happened today in gym class.’ Annet Schaap (b. 1965) was the A little boy is bursting to tell the big news illustrator for successful authors & Philip Hopman such as Francine Oomen and that’s bubbling away inside him, but no Jacques Vriens until she made her The Tree with the Ear one has time to listen to him. literary debut with Lampie and the Children of the Sea in 2017. Lampie Annet Schaap has written a poetic story was unanimously praised, won all about the lack of attention that we have the main Dutch children’s book prizes and became an international for one another, as a result of our busy bestseller. Philip Hopman (b. 1961) lives. For this book, she dreamed up a tree has illustrated over 250 children’s that really does know how to listen. The books, amongst which successful illustrator Philip Hopman, who has sold series as Jubelientje with Hans over 35o,ooo books in the ‘Boer Boris’ Hagen and Boer Boris with Ted van Lieshout, and his own picture books picture book series, has created a setting as Valentijn en zijn viool. based on Barcelona, in which the tree towers above everything else, vast in its Author Annet Schaap sympathy. With brilliant lines and a lllustrator Philip Hopman flowing palette, he plants this imaginative Age 5+ Pages 48 story in a familiar world. This is a wonder- Publisher Querido Kinderboek ful parable about our hectic society. Contact Luciënne van der Leije [email protected]
‘A stunning book.’ – Trouw
‘Annet and Philip bring out the poetry in each other.’ – NRC Handelsblad 5 Children’s Books from Holland
Daan Remmerts de Vries In this book, Daan Remmerts de Vries Daan Remmerts de Vries (b. 1962) plays a beautifully ironic, ambiguous is a uniquely talented writer and illustrator who has won many Fox Is a Bad Guy game with the sly and cunning character awards. He has created more traditionally attributed to the fox. than forty books for readers young This irony can be seen mainly in the and old. His picture books are interaction between the words and the characterized by collage and mixed pictures. techniques. For this book, however, he chose a comic-book style of illustration with expressive lines A dodo ringing Fox’s doorbell to collect in bright watercolours. money for endangered animals is funny enough in itself. But the sanctimonious Author & illustrator look on his face, combined with his Daan Remmerts de Vries Age 5+ confession that the money is for himself, Pages 40 makes it doubly funny. Who’s the crafty Publisher Gottmer one here? Contact This question also arises when Fox Mara Joustra invites the dodo to come in and rest for a [email protected] moment. Later, when Fox serves his friends Badger and Raccoon a big, round roasted chicken, the reader fears the worst. Where’s the dodo? Inside Fox? Or is that just based on suspicion and prejudice? Remmerts de Vries turns out to be a master of deception in this amusing story about a foxy bad guy — or is he? ‘A funny, exciting and original story about friendship, trust and prejudices.’ – NBD Biblion
Diet Groothuis, The Egg is a philosophical and poetic Diet Groothuis is a poet and the story about how everything began. creator of Waar ik ben, a collection Ingrid & Dieter Schubert of poetry for children. Ingrid and Dieter Schubert have illustrated The Egg In this picture book, a buzzing and hundreds of books together, for bubbling egg full of life bursts open and which they have won many awards. our entire universe comes pouring out. Diet Groothuis skilfully navigates Author Diet Groothuis Illustrators Ingrid & Dieter Schubert between the story of creation, myths, Age 5+ evolution and the Big Bang, leaving all Pages 32 options open. Everyone carries an egg Publisher Hoogland & Van Klaveren inside them that could crack open. ‘To Contact begin all over and over again, somewhere, Elaine Michon [email protected] everywhere.’ The author makes use of old and new stories and symbolism, building up the tension from the very first pictures — from the quiet egg that begins to teem with life, growing warmer and warmer. In the colourful illustrations, atmospheric blue flows into explosive red and yellow, resulting in an electrifying eruption.
‘Great text, dreamy illustrations, strong images.’ – Trouw
‘The text is poetic and perfectly polished, with not one word too many or too few.’ – Jaapleest.nl 6 Children’s Books from Holland Maranke Rinck & Martijn van der Linden Bob Popcorn
An irresistible character with an insatiable appetite
Ellis has no idea what just hit her. their close collaboration can clearly be Maranke Rinck (b. 1976) and She thinks she’s making popcorn in the seen in this book. The black-and-white Martijn van der Linden (b. 1979) made their joint debut in 2004, with microwave when... two legs suddenly illustrations continue the story where the the picture book Het prinsenkind, pop out of a piece of corn. And two arms. words leave off, forming an integral part of which was an international hit. This Ellis had no idea that bits of corn could the story, as in the books of Jeff Kinney. was followed by more joint picture- look quite so angry, but this one certainly And like the ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’, this is book projects, including Ik voel does. When she opens the door and he also a series, with Part Two (Bob Popcorn een voet!, Memorykonijn and Tangramkat, which won both a come stomping out, he introduces – The Popcorn Spy) coming out this spring. Zilveren Griffel and the Gouden himself as Bob Popcorn. Bob turns out In their new series, Rinck and Van der Penseel. In 2017, they created the to be an odd little guy with an insatiable Linden create a nice balance between Children’s Book Week picture book: appetite. fantasy and reality. With her two dads and Knikkeruil. Rinck has also written a teacher who forces the class to follow a a series for people with learning difficulties, and Van der Linden has Querido’s ‘Tijgerlezen’ series features health regime (strictly no popcorn!), Ellis illustrated many books by other books for beginning readers with an is very much a modern girl. But thanks to authors. He and writer Edward van emphasis on excitement and humour. her new and explosive chum, the reader is de Vendel won the Woutertje With Bob Popcorn, Maranke Rinck and drawn into a world where imagination Pieterse Prize for their non-fiction Martijn van der Linden (illustrations) have rules the roost. Bob Popcorn is a Dutch title Stem op de okapi. created an irresistible character who has Karllson-on-the-Roof, a modern Wiplala, Author Maranke Rinck already become a classic and who turns a little guy, who with all his pig-headed Illustrator Martijn van der Linden Ellis’s life upside down with his wacky obstinacy, is both amusing and touching. Age 6+ ideas and unpredictable tantrums. The first print run sold out in no time, and Pages 160 Rinck and Van der Linden don’t just Bob’s success has only just begun. Publisher Querido Kinderboek Contact work together, but are also a couple, and Luciënne van der Leije [email protected]
‘I hope this book becomes very popular.’ – de Volkskrant
‘The fun bursts off the page.’ – Jaapleest.nl 7 Children’s Books from Holland Edward van de Vendel & Floor de Goede Miss Unicorn
A story about a beauty contest, inclusivity and the insignificance of fame
They have previously worked together on yourself, and real friendship. Because No other Dutch children’s writer a series of comic-book poems, a picture ultimately that is what unites this mixed creates so many books of such a consistently high quality as Edward book about dinosaurs and the accessible bag of participants: the unconditional van de Vendel (b. 1964). His oeuvre ‘Sofie’ series. Now Edward van de Vendel support they find with one another, in includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry and Floor de Goede have added to that spite of their differences. and picture books, and he has list a book in the ‘Tijgerlezen’ series for De Goede, originally a comic-book won many awards, including the beginning readers: Miss Unicorn. artist, creates the perfect complement for Woutertje Pieterse Prize twice, ten Zilveren Griffels, the Deutscher the story with his cartoonish drawings: Jugendliteraturpreis and two This is a wonderfully over-the-top, glossy with delicious exaggeration, an exuberant nominations for the Astrid Lindgren story about a beauty contest, in which a palette and over-the-top facial expres- Memorial Award. group of appealing rejects join forces. sions, he gives the book the appeal and Floor de Goede (b. 1980) began Ayla, Juultje, Tinker & Swing and Miep are dynamism of an animated film. Speech his career as a comic artist with a daily strip about Flo, his alter ego. disqualified by the jury because they are a bubbles, handwritten letters, e-mails and When Van de Vendel introduced him zebra (stripy), a pony (too small), stallions a newspaper article – in terms of typogra- to the world of children’s books, this (boy horses) and a seahorse (way too phy, this book is as varied as the contestants resulted in a collaboration that won small). The five of them think that’s unfair. in the beauty pageant, but that certainly him the Stripschapspenning for So they decide to do something about it. does not get in the way of readability. the best children’s comic book for Draken met stekkers. With the support of Ayla’s grandma and Children’s books reviewer Jaap Friso the pretty little horse Sweetie Darling, has written about the books in the ‘Tijger- Author Edward van de Vendel who has qualified for the contest, they lezen’ series that they are ‘well-written Illustrator Floor de Goede start a counteroffensive. books for beginning readers, with differ- Age 6+ Author Edward van de Vendel, the man ences in the degree of difficulty, but united Pages 128 Publisher Querido Kinderboek behind the ‘Tijgerlezen’ series, has really by their focus on not only originality and Contact gone to town here with the idiotic qualify- style but also excitement and humour’. Luciënne van der Leije ing rounds, narcissistic presenters and With its cheerful riotousness, Miss Unicorn [email protected] nervous contestants. He has written a is a successful story about inclusivity and humorous and at times touching book the insignificance of fame. about being different, daring to be true to
‘A bouncy and crazy story in which Floor de Goede pulls out all the stops. Meanwhile themes such as friendship, exclusion and equality are brought up in a subtle way.’ – Jaapleest.nl 8 Children’s Books from Holland Bette Westera & Sylvia Weve Breaking Up
Poetry collection about love – that has ended in separation
A boy who sees his dad kissing his pink cross through it — one of the two Bette Westera (b. 1958) and teacher. A girl who finally gets the big fluorescent colours that have been added Sylvia Weve (b. 1954) have created five collections of poetry together, (half-)brother she’s wanted for so long. to the printed palette. The graphic work by for which they have won all the major Stepmothers who actually turn out to Bockting Design also stands out in other Dutch awards: the Gouden Griffel, be okay. This poetry collection by Bette respects. The paper is folded to make each the Gouden Penseel and the Westera and Sylvia Weve is about love, page a kind of loop, so the words and Woutertje Pieterse Prize. Weve has but about love that has failed, run pictures can flow from spread to spread. also won the Max Velthuijs Prize for her oeuvre. Westera made a name aground or ended in separation. In these This gives Weve ample opportunity to let for herself with her flawless poems rhythmic verses, no subject remains loose with her expressive, flamboyant that do not shy away from taboos. undiscussed. illustrations. Like the mother’s hand Weve began her career with brilliant reaching out for her daughter on the next pen-and-ink drawings for news Sadness, infatuation, cheating, new family spread in a poem about a girl who can’t papers and magazines, but has in recent years focused primarily on structures — Westera writes with a light believe her parents were ever a couple. children’s books. ‘From simple and touch and often with humour, as in the ‘They have nothing, absolutely nothing, / stylized to Baroque. Humorous, poem about the goldfish dividing their in common / except for / me.’ poetic or a touch surreal. Weve can time between him and her after a The publishing house Gottmer has do it all – and she does.’ That is what break-up. But we also find ourselves taken a daring approach by publishing the jury for the Max Velthuijs Prize said about her work. confronted with painful situations, for poetry with such a strong focus on the example, when a child speaks up who design element. And it works — the poetry Author Bette Westera suddenly has to deal with two homes and collections of Westera and Weve have the lllustrator Sylvia Weve extra parents. Would it have turned out ‘wow factor’ and have found their way to a Age 6+ differently if he had been nicer? If he had wide audience. Sometimes the whole Pages 136 Publisher Gottmer never stood on the chairs with his dirty really is greater than the sum of its parts. Contact shoes? That particular poem is called Mara Joustra ‘Nonsense’, and Weve has blasted a huge [email protected] Rights sold German (Susanna Rieder Verlag)
‘Westera’s verses, which as always read so smoothly, and Weve’s elegant, relaxed signature style complement each other beautifully.’ – NRC Handelsblad
‘With her poems, Bette Westera makes you both laugh and cry.’ – Trouw 9 Children’s Books from Holland Edward van de Vendel & Martijn van der Linden What to Do If You Stumble on a Hippopotamus
A ‘self-help collection’ for children, in which every poem is another lesson
‘Poems that will be of some use to you’ is kick out of creepy-crawlies, don’t they?’ Edward van de Vendel (b. 1964) the subtitle of this textually and visually The irony should be clear, because Van is one of the Netherlands’ most versatile writers for children. He is multi-faceted collection of poetry by de Vendel’s real lesson here is that it’s wise at home in every genre, from picture Edward van de Vendel and Martijn van to keep thinking for yourself. That’s books to YA novels, mastering der Linden. something that really will be of some use. humour as skilfully as social issues. The texts are as varied in style and Martijn van der Linden (b. 1979) is The poet and the artist have compiled emotion as the illustrations by Martijn a leading illustrator and created the art for award-winning work by Bibi a ‘self-help collection’ for children, in which van der Linden. In addition to the funny, Dumon Tak, Joukje Akveld and every poem is another lesson. The titles of ironic poems, the collection also includes Maranke Rinck. He won the Gouden the poems include ‘What to do if your train heartfelt, touching poems, like one about Penseel in 2016 for Tangramkat. is delayed’ and ‘What to do if someone has a forgetful grandfather and a sad mother Stem op de okapi, Van der Linden’s died and you didn’t know them very well.’ (‘When she feels she can lean on you for previous project with Edward van de Vendel, won the Woutertje Pieterse And, of course, ‘What to do if you stumble a moment / a bit of the trouble washes / Prize. on a hippopotamus’. The advice in that case out of her head’). That makes this book a is: say sorry and then shovel in so many collection that demonstrates exactly what Author Edward van de Vendel sweets that the next hippos you encounter characterizes Edward van de Vendel’s Illustrator Martijn van der Linden have to get out of your way. oeuvre: he takes children seriously, nudging Age 8+ Pages 72 The two poems that advise you what to his readers towards happiness, but they Publisher Querido do when you’re in love subtly mislead the have to take those steps themselves: ‘You Contact young reader: if you want to woo a boy, want to conquer climbing problems / Luciënne van der Leije play really loud tunes on the recorder, and slowly slowly / so that by and by / you can [email protected] if you want to win a girl’s heart, build an stand / in the blue / of the sky.’ insect hotel: ‘Everyone knows girls get a
‘This is parlando poetry bursting with linguistic fun. Van de Vendel plays with words in a light, sparkling way.’ – De Standaard
‘Not only the best collection of poetry Van de Vendel has ever made, but also a book that shows exactly where Dutch children’s literature is right now.’ – NRC Handelsblad 10 Children’s Books from Holland Tonke Dragt
Tonke Dragt (b. 1930) is one of the best-known and most widely read Publisher Leopold children’s writers in the Netherlands. Dragt grew up in Indonesia and came Contact Sophie Mulder to the Netherlands after the Second World War, when she was fifteen. [email protected] From her debut in 1961 until her most recently published title in 2009, her books have received a great deal of attention and praise. Her second book, De brief voor de koning (published in English as The Letter for the King), became a bestseller and is now a classic. All of her books have been a great success. They have been translated into dozens of languages, and most of them have remained in print. Tonke Dragt has written both historical and futuristic novels and describes herself as a born storyteller.
Sky High Torenhoog en mijlen breed is the first of Tonke Dragt’s Author Tonke Dragt futuristic stories. She sketches the Earth as one big Age 10+ and Miles Wide Pages 304 city without any trees. There are still forests on Venus Year of publication 1969 though, where humans venture out to explore the Rights sold Afrikaans (Tafelberg), planet from inside the safety of a large dome. These Czechia (Svoboda, Triton), Germany forests are considered very dangerous, but the plan- (Fischer Taschenbuch, Freies etary researcher Edu pays no attention to the strict Geistesleben), Spain (Siruela) rules about entering them, and he makes a spectacular discovery: there is life on the planet. Robert Louis Stevenson’s lines ‘Where are forests, hot as fire, wide as England, tall as a spire’ formed the inspiration for this science-fiction adventure. The book was published in 1969, the year humankind took its first steps on the moon, when space travel and research into other planets were still in their infancy. Government control and the loss of privacy are described in a credible and incisive way, providing food for thought. Torenhoog en mijlen breed is a thrilling adventure, partly inspired by Dragt’s child- hood in Indonesia, and it takes the reader to fascina ting new worlds.
Eyes of Tigers Jock Martijn is an artist and former planetary Author Tonke Dragt researcher. He lives on Earth among the tall build- Age 10+ Pages 464 ings, where there is no nature left and the tigers are Year of publication 1982 extinct. The government has complete control and Rights sold Germany (Freies knows everything about its citizens. There are Geistesleben, Fischer screens and police officers everywhere in this Taschenbuch), Spain (Siruela) totalitarian system — and can Jock trust his own house robot? When Jock meets a mysterious new student, his life takes a surprising turn, even more so when he discovers that they can both read minds. Ogen van tijgers was published thirteen years after Torenhoog en mijlen breed and features some of the ‘These are books that do not reveal same characters, but can be read either as a sequel or their secrets in one go, so you can as a standalone book. This is a brilliantly composed read them over and over again and novel sketching a future that shows some fascinating discover something different every similarities with the world we live in now. Dragt time.’ – Leesfeest considers this novel as her best book. ‘Ogen van Tijgers is my favourite book ever. I’ve read it more than thirty times.’ – Paulien Cornelisse, Dutch comedian and TV presenter 11 Children’s Books from Holland
The Letter for the King The 16-year-old squire Tiuri has to spend Author Tonke Dragt a night of contemplation in a chapel before Age 10+ Pages 456 the day of his knighting ceremony — and Year of publication 1962 he must not open the door to anyone. Rights sold China (Hunan), However, when a desperate stranger comes Germany (Beltz & Gelberg), UK knocking and begs Tiuri to take a vital letter (Pushkin Press), France (Gallimard), to the king, this is the start of an amazing Japan (Iwanami Shoten), Spain (Siruela) and 21 other languages and desperately dangerous journey that takes Tiuri and his friend Piak to castles, through forests, across mountains and to unknown cities. Will the young squire ever become a knight? In this book and its sequel, Geheimen van het Wilde Woud (published in English as The Secrets of the Wild Wood), Tiuri makes new friends ‘The book is beautifully constructed, but also finds himself confronted with and has passages of urgent writing that take their inspiration from formidable enemies. fairytales as well as the Arthurian De brief voor de koning is the book with legend.’ – The Guardian which Tonke Dragt established her name. It was recently reprinted in the Netherlands ‘This beautifully translated, well- for the fiftieth time. Dragt drew upon the presented and captivating book.’ – The Times stories of Arthurian and Celtic legend for
her inspiration. The book has previously ‘Everyone has a mission, but we do been adapted for film and theatre and is not know what that mission is. In the The Letter for the King, the six-part now coming out as a Netflix series. In 2oo4, book, Tiuri doesn’t even get to find Netflix series (released March 2020) it was selected as the top title out of fifty out exactly what is in the letter. But based on the book, was filmed in New still he does what he has to do. That’s previous children’s books of the year and Zealand and the Czech Republic with what counts. That is life.’ – Tonke an international cast of top actors. crowned with the Griffel der Griffels as Dragt about De brief voor de koning the best Dutch children’s book ever.
The Goldsmith and the Master Thief The Song of Seven
Author Tonke Dragt Author Tonke Dragt Age 10+ Age 10+ Pages 352 Pages 304 Year of publication 1961 Year of publication 1966 Rights sold Rights sold Denmark (Carlsen), United Kingdom (Pushkin Press) Germany (Beltz & Gelberg) Japan (Iwanami Shoten), Korea (Marubol), Spain (Siruela), United Kingdom (Pushkin Press)
In some respects, twin brothers could hardly be more different A group of schoolchildren helps a young aristocrat to than Jiacomo and Laurenzo. One of them is a goldsmith and search for a treasure. Their teacher is also involved, loves his work. The other is a clever adventurer with a casual becoming the boy’s private tutor. The boy is kept a attitude towards the law. However, they look so much alike virtual prisoner in a mysterious house that lies on one that they are frequently mistaken for each other, which leads of six roads leading to a crossroads that has an inter- to some strange and amusing situations. The two brothers esting part to play in the story. De Zevensprong is an help and support each other time and again throughout twelve exciting and enigmatic adventure in which reality stories in which love and loyalty always defeat evil. merges with fantasy. Tonke Dragt’s debut was originally published as Verhalen ‘In fact, the book itself is like a song, or incantation; a wandering, winding van de tweelingbroers (Tales of the Twin Brothers). The book is ballad with occasional joyous almost sixty years old and so timeless that children still enjoy percussion, to the spell of which the it today. A fairy-tale classic with a medieval atmosphere, reader can’t help but succumb.’ with lots of excitement, humour and emotion. – The Guardian 12 Children’s Books from Holland Linda Dielemans & Sanne te Loo Bronze
Bronze as the focus of a lively and dazzling non-fiction book
Do not underestimate bronze. Bronze It takes real skill, though, to make an Linda Dielemans (b. 1981) trained was revolutionary in the history of impersonal and seemingly unsexy subject as a professional oboist and archaeologist, but since 2014 has humankind: this alloy of copper and tin such as bronze the focus of a lively and worked as a writer of children’s was the first metal from which tools were dazzling children’s book. Dielemans has books. She has written three works made with no other purpose than to used an intriguing device to achieve this: of fiction so far — Zomerwoud, wound. The result was war. The trade in she alternates between non-fiction Geestenkrijger and Schaduw van bronze also led to great wealth for the chapters and evocatively illustrated de leeuw — all of which are set in the Stone Age. Bronze is her first first time. And, writes the archaeologist fictional stories, told from the perspective non-fiction title. and author Linda Dielemans in her first of the bronze. ‘We are still glowing when Sanne te Loo (b. 1972) won a non-fiction book, bronze axes were we are scooped out from the coals, and we Zilveren Penseel in 2018 for her universal carriers of information, ‘the shiver when we fall into the bowl of water,’ picture book Dit is voor jou. She has maps of the Bronze Age’. say the lumps of metal when the copper is created her own picture books and illustrated stories by other writers, fused with the tin. ‘He is afraid. I can feel such as Sjoerd Kuyper, Jef Aerts and Dielemans presents the information, it. The hand holding me is shaking,’ the Koos Meinderts. based on what she learned from the bronze axe says about its owner. Leiden archaeologist David Fontijn, with Dielemans enlivens her theme with this Author Linda Dielemans wonder and sometimes surprise — in animistic starting point — the sensitive, Illustrator Sanne te Loo Age 10+ keeping with the best recent Dutch effective style evokes empathy with earlier Pages 192 non-fiction books for children. Writers times. These bronze objects go through all Publisher including Jan Paul Schutten and Annet kinds of things, from bloody fights to Fontaine Uitgevers Huizing have succeeded in turning themes sacrificial rituals, illustrating the impor- Contact such as evolution, quantum mechanics and tance and value of such items to the people Jiska Koenders [email protected] the law into an exciting adventure. Like who owned them. By taking this approach, them, Dielemans does not shy away from writer Dielemans and illustrator Te Loo abstract subjects or difficult words. add something essential to what we can see in a museum display case, and that is: a story.
‘The combination [of information and enthusiasm] in Bronze offers the best of both worlds, fiction and non- fiction. I never would have thought a book about bronze could be so fascinating.’ – NRC Handelsblad
‘In Bronze, the author and archaeologist Linda Dielemans skilfully tells the story of bronze and of humankind.’ – de Volkskrant 13 Children’s Books from Holland Henry Lloyd & Laurens Rawie Flin, or the Lost Love of a Unicorn
Illustrated fantasy novel about a boy who is an animal, human and fairytale character all in one
During a picnic, two eagles kidnap a he would like to get to know better. And This is the most intriguing book baby. Forgetful as animals are, they soon there’s a unicorn that roams the forest of the past year, not only because of the content, but because of its believe that the bald baby must have around the village that also has a connec- creators, Henry Lloyd and Laurens come from one of their own eggs and tion with the girl. When a dragon kidnaps Rawie. Fans of children’s books start feeding it raw meat. Even though he Solange, Flin, Mono and the unicorn go soon began to speculate that one has no business being there, Flin grows in search of her. well-known Dutch writer/illustrator up healthy in the eagles’ nest, learns the The comic-book style of the illustra- was behind both pseudonyms. The publisher has confirmed that the language of the birds, and does his very tions, the way the plot races along, and names are indeed pseudonyms but best to become a bird too. the humorous dialogues give this book refuses to respond to any further everything it needs to be an appealing, speculation. Meanwhile his parents keep wondering if contemporary, amusing series. this clumsy little chick will ever learn to This book has a lot to offer. You can Author Henry Lloyd Illustrator Laurens Rawie fly. They love their child, but things don’t read it as an adventure story, but also as Age 10+ seem to be working out for him as a bird. a romance. Or something between the Pages 328 When his new friend, Mono, a dwarf with two. As with the protagonist, the identity Publisher Querido two heads that are constantly arguing with of the book is not fixed. Are you one thing Contact each other, tells him that he is a human, he or another? A boy or a girl or something Luciënne van der Leije [email protected] finds it hard to believe. But he can’t deny else? Human, animal or fairy-tale figure? that he is different. The book is packed with interesting points Flin begins a long search for himself. to think about. It doesn’t force anyone to The villagers he meets are hostile and are choose, offering welcome support for all not the kind of group he wants to be part of us who just want to be ourselves. of. There is, however, one girl, Solange,
‘Sparkling, rewarding and engaging!’ – Chicklit.nl
‘The writer of Flin has produced a fine, old-fashioned reading book.’ – author Edward van de Vendel 14 Children’s Books from Holland Annejan Mieras Homme and the Emergency Case
When your weirdest and ugliest classmate becomes your temporary foster sister
In crystal-clear language and lively Homme’s inappropriate behaviour. At Annejan Mieras (b. 1965) is an dialogues, Annejan Mieras tells how the the same time, she admirably succeeds in architect by training, but found herself unsuited to the profession, grumpy Homme (9) gradually abandons making the reader feel sympathy for Pien, and so chose to go into primary his opposition to the ‘sleepover’ of his who reflects on her trials and tribulations education. She has been teaching strange classmate Pien, whose troubled in her own original poems, which conclude for over ten years now. Since her mother is staying at a recovery centre. the chapters. Every poem starts with a 2018 debut, Portiek Zeezicht, she The surprising theme running through sentence from Wislawa Szymborska’s has also been a writer. This cheerful, cinematic book about loss, friend- the book is a poem by Poland’s Nobel poem ‘Moment’. Pien once found the ship and ingenuity was enthusiasti- Prize winner, which Mieras subtly and poetry collection of the same name, with cally received and earned an playfully interweaves with the story. a dedication ‘for Pina, my little princess’, honourable mention from the jury of on her mother’s bookshelves. Since then, the Woutertje Pieterse Prize 2019. Homme (9) thinks Pien is weird, ugly and she has believed Szymborska is the Polish Her second book, Homme and the Emergency Case, has confirmed awkward. But his mum says his classmate is father she has never known. her talent as a writer. ‘an emergency case’ and so he has to adapt When Homme and Pien — forced to when the taciturn girl who thinks that she’s spend time together during the autumn Author Annejan Mieras a Polish princess becomes his temporary break — try to work out why Kees’s work- lllustrator Linde Faas foster sister. But it’s no easy task. Homme shop is suddenly closed, Pien discovers by Age 10+ Pages 188 is mad that Pien has stolen his bedroom, chance that her presumed Polish origins Publisher Lemniscaat so he has to sleep in his brother’s room, are based on a misunderstanding. Her Contact and it’s all her fault that the camping trip self-insight is touching: ‘I wanted a father’ Robin van der Gaag in the autumn break can’t go ahead, and and ‘maybe I have too many hare-brained [email protected] his friends at school are laughing at him. ideas’. It’s nice to see how Homme and Pien Rights sold Germany (Gerstenberg) ‘That stupid girl is ruining absolutely finally come to understand each other a everything,’ Homme tells his friend Kees, little, and a tentative friendship develops. the bike repairman, who he relies on for The realistic characters and psychologi- parts for his metal animals. cally strong plot bear witness to Mieras’s Subtly and with a sense of humour, narrative skills. Mieras makes it easy to empathize with
‘Annejan Mieras has placed herself on the map as an interesting writer.’ – Jaapleest.nl
‘Clear tone, great dialogue and lifelike characters.’ – Trouw
‘With her unique voice, Mieras shows the vulnerability of her protagonists, without magnifying it — familiar, funny and touching, all at the same time. A very fine book.’ – Amsterdamse Kinderboekwinkel 15 Children’s Books from Holland Sjoerd Kuyper Bizarre
A dazzling diary adventure in which a perceptive and talented writer struggles with the concept of truth
‘Every person is a story that in no way you can imagine really does exist,’ says Sjoerd Kuyper (b. 1952) is one of resembles the story of anyone else. Sallie Mo. ‘Maybe nothing really exists the Netherlands’ most celebrated writers. He made his breakthrough By reading, you find out what other and it’s all just thoughts.’ Kuyper has his with Het zakmes (1992) and found people think.’ Taking this idea as a protagonist struggle with such notions, fame with his series about the starting point, Sjoerd Kuyper has written presenting, with amused irony, a realistic toddler Robin. In 2012 he received Bizarre, a unique diary adventure packed teen who, aware that the truth is fluid, the Theo Thijssen Prize for his with beautiful sentences and important constantly misleads the reader. oeuvre, which consists of children’s books, poems, screenplays and thoughts and in which the truth is at The driving force behind the story is song lyrics. Last year, in addition to stake. In addition, through his unforget- Sallie Mo’s planned conquest of her secret Bizarre, he wrote a sparkling, modern table protagonist, he incidentally raises love, Dylan, who she meets every summer version of ‘Aladdin and the Magic all kinds of major social issues. during her holiday in the Frisian Islands. Lamp’. But whatever Kuyper writes, When, together with Dylan and two other everything comes straight from his heart, driven by his love for life. ‘There is absolutely no structure in the campers, she discovers a bunker where world.’ This is the first thing that book- an armed banker’s daughter is in hiding Author Sjoerd Kuyper worm Sallie Mo (13) has noticed since from her rich father, the story gets really Age 10+ she started keeping a diary. Writing a diary exciting. Pages 315 is a new experience for her: Bloem, the The dramatic denouement is unexpect- Publisher Hoogland & Van Klaveren Contact psychiatrist she has been seeing after the edly heart-breaking, but readers are not Elaine Michon death of her beloved, wise Grandpa David, left dispirited. ‘A happy life,’ concludes [email protected] told her to do it. Go and live outside your Dylan, ‘means that you’ve searched well. Rights sold Russia (Samokat) books, was Bloem’s advice, and look at the […] If by the end you haven’t found the world as it really is. And if you really can’t truth, at least you’ll have seen and heard live without books, then write one yourself. everything that is beautiful.’ Bizarre is That, however, is more easily said than Kuyper at his best. done. After all, who is in charge in a diary? ‘Real life’ or the writer? ‘Maybe everything
‘An authentic and daring book by a passionate writer, who challenges and defies his readers with side tracks, sudden leaps in time, implausible twists and an unreliable narrator.’ – Trouw
‘Bizarre is beautiful, wide- ranging and unique. No one but Sjoerd Kuyper could have written this book.’ – NRC Handelsblad
‘A new high point in his oeuvre’ – De Standaard der Letteren 16 Children’s Books from Holland Simon van der Geest The Project
In this captivating adventure, a girl goes in search of her biological father
Any subject is allowed for the school his name, a scrap of a photograph with Simon van der Geest (b. 1978) project, as long as it has something to do his arm in it, and a cassette with his voice. is one of the most remarkable writers of children’s books in the with biology. So Eva (12) decides to make She also concludes that, like her, he must Netherlands. With only his second her project about biological fathers. She have eleven toes. Her mental image of this children’s book, Dissus, Van der doesn’t know much about that subject, father who is a stranger grows, as does her Geest won the most important as her own father returned to Suriname longing to meet him in the flesh. Dutch children’s book prize, the before she was born. Her mum was left When Eva approaches a TV show to Gouden Griffel, in 2011. Two years later, he won the prize again, for his behind with ‘a belly with a beginning in help her with the search, the story appears third book, Spinder. By then, film it. The beginning of me.’ And now she to be taking a predictable turn. But as Eva rights to his debut, Geel gras, will hardly say a word about Eva’s dad. shakes off the TV crew in the colourfully had been sold. Van der Geest also described Suriname and heads off into the writes for the theatre. His books Simon van der Geest worked on this book jungle on her own, the tension rises. Van have been translated into Danish, German, Polish, Latvian, Italian for four years, and it has been worth the der Geest succeeds in making this turn of and French. wait. This is a wonderfully cinematic, events completely believable. fluently written adventure for which the Eva’s reflections give a solid foundation Author Simon van der Geest word ‘enthralling’ seems to have been to this adventure, with a warm supporting lllustrator Karst-Janneke Rogaar invented. role for her best friend Luuk: Can you feel Age 10+ Pages 388 As in his Spinder and Spijkerzwijgen, blood ties? What makes someone a father? Publisher Querido the story revolves around a family secret Is she Dutch or Surinamese? It is no Contact and, just like in those books, a true-to-life surprise that she eventually concludes Luciënne van der Leije narrative voice and sometimes gently she has learned more about biological [email protected] poetic sentences come together in a daughters than about biological fathers. natural way. Karst-Janneke Rogaar has drawn Eva’s research into her father begins Eva’s project in a child-like style, and her secretly and on a small scale: she searches detailed jungle illustrations really leap through her mother’s belongings and finds off the page.
‘Although The Project is driven by action and plot, that does not mean it lacks depth. Van der Geest depicts Eva in a true-to-life way […] A wonderful reading adventure.’ – NRC Handelsblad
‘The chapters from Eva’s project are nicely written, the pictures are incredibly funny, the search for Eva’s biological father is exciting and the journey through Suriname is described so vividly that it feels as if you are there yourself.’ – Kidsweek 17 Children’s Books from Holland Derk Visser Drama Queen
The high-rise housing estate where 13-year-old Angel lives is a war zone
In the days around Christmas and over her dislike of boys and that she and Derk Visser (b. 1959) is a youth New Year, boys bombard each other with Kayleigh are more than just friends. This is worker by profession. He writes about problems that he knows inside snowballs and fireworks. The police have a subject that has received little attention out because of his day job, although not dared to show their faces for weeks. in YA literature and certainly not in this he has stressed in interviews that Angel divides her time between her way: almost incidentally, as this book is he does not write about his work. mother, who is a striptease dancer, and about far more than just the relationship His empathy for young people is her alcoholic grandfather. Her mother between the two girls. palpable and, more importantly, he has a great understanding of their wants nothing to do with her grand- In his previous books, Derk Visser has sense of humour, which is infectious father, and her father isn’t around. shown how brilliantly he can write about but not always appropriate. His strong, independent young people in talent as a writer was slow to reveal Angel has ADHD, but the medication challenging circumstances. He does this in itself; he says that, as a child, he had makes her feel like a zombie, so she has a beautiful, crystal-clear style that makes reading difficulties. He made his literary debut in 2005 at the age of stopped taking her pills. She’d rather be the reader alternate between tears and 47, with Patchouli, and in 2012 he agitated. That makes life hard at school, laughter. was awarded the Charlotte Köhler where she spends more time outside the His characters always speak in a way Stipendium to support the expan- classroom than in it and has no friends that is just a little too experienced for their sion of his oeuvre. Visser lives in the — until she meets clever Kayleigh and has age, which makes them even more endear- Frisian countryside with his family. He has two daughters and a son. long conversations with her in the play- ing. No matter how grim the situations ground. But then Kayleigh moves house sound, Visser’s books are not problem Author Derk Visser and heads off to grammar school, which books, and his protagonists are quirky Age 12+ is not the place for Angel. heroes, each in their own way. This time Pages 216 Drama Queen follows Angel in brief he has opted for a truly hopeful ending: Publisher Gottmer Contact episodes over the course of three winters. Kayleigh comes back into Angel’s life Mara Joustra In the first part, she is thirteen. By the every winter. Drama Queen is Visser’s [email protected] final part, she is fifteen. Along the way, best YA novel yet. it becomes clear that Angel has not got
‘With his books for young adults, Visser has unmistakably made his own mark on the genre.’ – Jury report, Charlotte Köhler Stipendium
‘Visser barely needs a plot – he creates people on paper, and that is powerful enough.’ – NRC Handelsblad about Suikerspin 18 Children’s Books from Holland Lida Dijkstra The Beast with the Strength of Ten Horses
Exciting retelling of Greek dramas for YA
Anyone who insults the gods or the king and has to flee from Athens to Crete. Lida Dijkstra (b. 1961), or Dykstra of a city state must expect revenge. In Or how King Minos angers the sea god in Frisian, her mother tongue, grew up in Friesland. She trained as a museum Greek dramas, everything happens for Poseidon, who makes Minos’s wife, Queen worker in Leiden, where she later a reason. However ingenious these tales Pasiphaë, fall in love with a bull and, studied art history and archaeology. may be, this means it can take a long time as a result, give birth to the Minotauros, She worked in museums for some for the action to get going. If you want to half boy, half bull. And how Daedalos years, but after her daughter was hear the captivating love story of Theseus and Ikaros escape with wings made by born, she began to write more and more. Her work has been published and Ariadne, you need to have quite the inventor himself. in both Dutch and Frisian, and her a lot of patience before the highlight of The framing story is cleverly construct- oeuvre also includes read-aloud the story comes: the labyrinth and the ed. Dijkstra first satisfies the reader’s basic stories and exciting tales for readers monster. needs. In her version, Theseus has smug- who are a little older. History often gled along some friends disguised as girls plays a role in her writing. Djenné Fila (b. 1995), an illustrator That, however, is not the case in this and concealed a sword inside his boot. from Tilburg, makes her debut in retelling by Lida Dijkstra. The author goes Their journey initially feels more like a this book. straight to the exciting part: when the school trip gone wrong. However, the fourteen young people sent from Athens closer they come to the monster and to the Author Lida Dijkstra as sacrifices are lowered into a dark tunnel. denouement of Minos’s story, the grimmer Illustrator Djenné Fila Age 12+ Step by step, it becomes clear how they it becomes. Pages 168 came to be there, as frescos and other Dijkstra skilfully reimagines the story, Publisher Luitingh-Sijthoff messages on the walls of the labyrinth telling it slowly with lots of new details, Contact reveal the story leading up to this point. and succeeds in making it so realistic Thille Dop The wonderful story of the architect that — in spite of gods and monsters — [email protected] Daedalos and his over-confident son it actually could have happened. This YA Ikaros, for example, and how Daedalos novel is just as intelligent and exciting as murders a rival inventor out of jealousy the legend deserves.
‘The newcomer Djenné Fila skilfully evokes a classical Greek atmosphere with her powerful illustrations.’ – Trouw
‘Lida Dijkstra has succeeded brilliantly in making the stories that are told an organic element of the exciting main plot.’ – Friesch Dagblad 19 Children’s Books from Holland
Recent Translations This is a selection of recently published translations from the Dutch. For more information please go to our online database of translations en.vertalingendatabase.nl.
Bibi Dumon Tak Wilma Geldof Gijs van der Hammen Marjolijn Hof & Fleur van der Weel Reden ist Verrat & Hanneke Siemensma Male sˇanse Zwierzaki zwyklaki Little Wise Wolf
Polish translation by German translation by Complex Chinese translation Croatian translation by Jadwiga Jedryas for Dwie Verena Kiefer for Gerstenberg, by Jerry Kuo for Wordfield, Gioia-Ana Ulrich Knezˇevic´ for Siostry, 2019. Original title: 2020. Original title: Het meisje 2019. Original title: Kleine wijze Lector, 2019. Original title: Bibi’s doodgewone dierenboek, met de vlechtjes, published by wolf, published by Hoogland Een kleine kans, published published by Querido, 2013. Luitingh-Sijthoff, 2018. & Van Klaveren, 2017. English by Querido, 2006. translation nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
Marc ter Horst Yvonne Jagtenberg Benny Lindelauf Annet Schaap & Wendy Panders Mon oncle, ce farfelu Fing’s War Lampie and the Children Palmer på Nordpolen of the Sea
Norwegian translation by French translation by English translation by English translation by Guro Dimmen for Spartacus, Mireille Cohendy for Gallimard John Nieuwenhuizen for Laura Watkinson for Pushkin 2019. Original title: Palmen Jeunesse, 2019. Original title: Enchanted Lion Books, 2019. Press, 2019. Original title: op de Noordpool, published Mijn wonderlijke oom, published Original title: De hemel van Lampje, published by Querido, by Gottmer, 2018 by Rubinstein, 2018. Heivisj, published by Querido, 2017. Longlisted for the 2010. Carnegie Medal.
Annie M.G. Schmidt Marit Törnqvist Edward van de Vendel Bette Westera & Sylvia Weve Domnis‚oara Miau [Shiawasa no kuni e] & Marije Tolman Was macht das Licht, wenn es Piccola Volpe dunkel wird?
Romanian translation by Japanese translation by Italian translation by German translation by K.J. Mecklenfeld for Editura Saki Nagayama for Tokuma Laura Pignatti for Il Castoro, Rolf Erdorf for Susanna Rieder Arthur, 2019. Original title: Shoten, 2019. Original title: 2019. Original title: Vosje, Verlag, 2019. Original title: Minoes, published by De Het gelukkige eiland, published published by Querido, 2018. Was de aarde vroeger plat?, Arbeiderspers/Querido, 1970. by Querido, 2017. published by Gottmer, 2017. Children’s Books from Holland
Gideon Samson & Milja Praagman Tonke Dragt I Want a Horse Sky High and Miles Wide Eyes of Tigers Jan Jutte The Letter for the King Tiger The Goldsmith and the Master Thief Koos Meinderts & Sanne te Loo The Song of Seven The Man with the Sea-Green Eyes Linda Dielemans & Sanne te Loo Annet Schaap & Philip Hopman Bronze The Tree with the Ear Henry Lloyd & Laurens Rawie Daan Remmerts de Vries Flin, or the Lost Love of a Unicorn Fox Is a Bad Guy Annejan Mieras Diet Groothuis, Homme and the Emergency Case Ingrid & Dieter Schubert Sjoerd Kuyper The Egg Bizarre Maranke Rinck Simon van der Geest & Martijn van der Linden The Project Bob Popcorn Derk Visser Edward van de Vendel Drama Queen & Floor de Goede Miss Unicorn Lida Dijkstra The Beast with the Strength Bette Westera & Sylvia Weve of Ten Horses Breaking Up
Edward van de Vendel Children’s Books from Holland is published & Martijn van der Linden by the Dutch Foundation for Literature.
What to Do If You Stumble The Foundation stimulates interest in Dutch on a Hippopotamus literary fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children’s books by providing information and financial support. Foreign publishers wishing to publish translations of Dutch literature may apply for a subsidy towards the translation costs. In the case of high-quality illustrated children’s books, The illustration on the front is additional support for production costs is possible. For more information please visit from Philip Hopman from The Tree www.letterenfonds.nl or contact Agnes Vogt, with the Ear by Annet Schaap [email protected]. Editors Dick Broer, Lucette Châtelain, Neeke Scheers, Agnes Vogt, Frances Welling
Contributors Joukje Akveld, Jaap Friso, Pjotr van Lenteren, Bas Maliepaard, Mirjam Noorduijn, Thomas de Veen
ederlands Postbus /PO Box 16588 Translation 1001 RB Amsterdam Laura Watkinson N letterenfonds t +31 (0)20 520 73 00 f +31 (0)20 520 73 99 dutch foundation [email protected] Printing for literature www.letterenfonds.nl Platform P visiting address Nieuwe Prinsengracht 89 Design 1018 VR Amsterdam Kummer & Herrman, Utrecht