1 Children’s Books from Holland ederlands N letterenfonds dutch foundation for literature Spring 2013 2 Children’s Books from Holland 3 Children’s Books from Holland Everything was better in the old days? No, History is in good hands with Sieb Posthuma With his two Golden Paint Brush awards, Sieb Posthuma (b. 1960) is an Jan Paul Schutten absolutely not. Everything was so much Jan Paul Schutten (b. 1970). In his Sieb Posthuma is one of the top illustrators illustrator, theatrical designer and Kinderen van Amsterdam (Children author. He began his career with worse back then! ‘We were so poor that we Alexander Calder’s in the Netherlands. His new picture book of Amsterdam, 2007), which won illustrations for newspapers and had to drink our tea out of a rolled-up the Golden Slate Pencil, he Wonderful Wire about Alexander Calder reveals a different magazines, and went on to create book Is That All? newspaper!’ The famous Monty Python connected the city’s past to the true side to this extremely versatile artist. covers and children’s books. Posthuma sketch ‘Four Yorkshiremen’ was what stories of children from history. This A richly imaginative tribute to also designed the set and costumes for An excess of exaggeration in a story that’s inspired Jan Paul Schutten to create the approach allowed him to present Alexander Calder Alexander had a wire. He could use it to a Dutch National Ballet production of information that is educational and Coppelia. In 2009, he won the Golden packed with hilarity picture book Is That All? Together with make anything he saw in his mind: an fun, without lecturing his readers. Paint Brush for Boven in een groene illustrator Kees de Boer, he has elevated Schutten’s books – on subjects umbrella for unexpected showers or a linde zat een moddervette haan (Up bragging to an art form. including not only history, but also bunch of wire-haired dogs. But how could in a Green Lime Tree Sat a Big, Fat plants and animals, food and people he make something that would move all Rooster). In 2012, he won the same Dirk’s three (yes, three!) grandpas, Albert, – are among the finest non-fiction by itself? Inspired by the life and work of award once again for the illustrations books in the Netherlands. The two he created to accompany Annie M.G. Cuthbert and Hubert, think their grand- Alexander Calder (1898–1976), Posthuma books presented here demonstrate Schmidt’s poems in Een vijver vol inkt son should be delighted with the rickety his great talent for fiction – and for has written and illustrated a book in praise (published in English as A Pond Full of old bicycle they’ve given him. When they humour! of the imagination. With one swift move- Ink, with translations by David Colmer). were young lads, they had to make do with ment, his pen captures the most amazing so much less. A bike with punctured tyres. Author and wonderful figures, which he highlights Author / Illustrator Jan Paul Schutten Sieb Posthuma No, a bike with wooden wheels. No, that using the bright colours of Calder’s later Illustrator Age 4+ was nothing: one of the grandpas had a Kees de Boer mobiles. Pages 32 bike that was just one rusty, square, Age 4+ Alexander Calder’s Wonderful Wire is Publisher Leopold wooden wheel! Pages 32 part of a series of picture books about art Contact Schutten and De Boer elaborate upon Publisher Gottmer produced by Leopold and the Gemeente- Dania van Dishoeck Contact [email protected] this fabulous idea with infectious glee. museum in The Hague. This successful Renée Ferment Both the story and the lavish illustrations [email protected] series differs from other art books for Posthuma is just as playful with his are delightfully and hilariously over the children because of its fictional element, writing pen as he is with his drawing top, as is only fitting. Jan Paul Schutten has ably which gives authors and illustrators the materials and he comes up with demonstrated that he can write opportunity to combine their own creative witty names for his weird and picture books too. JaapLeest.nl skills with those of the artist they admire. wonderful creatures. de Volkskrant Rembrandt’s Night Watch is the number Sjoerd Kuyper & Last year, Sjoerd Kuyper won the Theo Sjoerd Kuyper (b. 1952) has written The Girl in the one attraction at the Rijksmuseum in Thijssen Prize for his body of work as a dozens of children’s books and won Marije Tolman many awards, including the Golden Amsterdam. But, when you take a good children’s author. His stories combine Golden Dress Slate Pencil for Robin and God, look at this painting, what do you actu- The Big Robin readability with literary skill and depth. and the Theo Thijssen Prize for his The story behind the most famous Dutch ally see? Hidden among all the fine oeuvre in 2012. As well as children’s painting of all – the ideal art education for gentlemen, there is a girl. The story that Three award-winning Robin books in ‘Kuyper’s stories are real and vivid, books, he writes for television and children Schutten tells about her takes young a wonderful collection for reading aloud philosophical and warm, rhythmic and theatre. Several of his books have also been made into films. readers on an appealing journey to the balanced, nostalgic and humorous – some- world of Rembrandt and his best-known times all at the same time,’ said the jury for The picture books of Marije Tolman work. the Theo Thijssen Prize, reserving particu- (b. 1976) have been published in more than ten countries. She won lar praise for Kuyper’s read-aloud stories the 2010 Golden Paint Brush and Author ‘Is my collar right? Does my hair look about Robin. The dreamy young boy from the Bologna Ragazzi Award for De Jan Paul Schutten good? Is my hat on straight?’ The men of a village beside the Dutch dunes made his boomhut (published in English as Illustrator the shooting company are feeling a little first appearance in children’s literature in The Tree House) Martijn van der Linden anxious. Rembrandt is painting all of them, Age 4+ 1990 and has returned regularly ever since. Author but who’s going to be the star? Anyone who Pages 28 The Big Robin combines Kuyper’s three Sjoerd Kuyper Publisher Rubinstein is familiar with the painting will know that award-winning titles: Robin en Suze (Robin Illustrator Contact one person ends up in the spotlight: the and Suze), Robin en God (Robin and God) Marije Tolman Adrienne Hak sweetest member of the company, the girl and Robin is verliefd (Robin’s in Love). Age 5+ [email protected] in the golden dress, who is at the heart of These are big stories about small events. Pages 192 Publisher Lemniscaat author Jan Paul Schutten’s simple but very Kuyper deals with important issues Contact effective story. directly and openly. The child, with his Diana Garibbo Illustrator Van der Linden employs visu- Schutten presents an appealing insight honesty, innocence and lack of inhibition, [email protected] al references to The Night Watch and other into life during the Golden Age and the is the central figure in this author’s work. creation of The Night Watch. Trouw Kuyper writes as though he is painting. paintings in his dramatic presentation of Marije Tolman’s charming illustrations You have to read with your eyes half- the Amsterdam of the Golden Age. This Jan Paul Schutten has written a very conjure up a safe little world where the closed, as a blinding golden gleam of book offers a perfect glimpse into history. engaging and accessible story for young imagination triumphs. hay and summer sun shines out at you readers. Kinderboekenpraatjes.nl from between the lines. de Volkskrant 4 Children’s Books from Holland 5 Children’s Books from Holland Bette Westera & Sylvia Weve Edward van de Vendel Scram! I’m Not Your Gran! Thirteen Running Deer A virtuoso interplay of words and images in a collection of poems about A subtle and sophisticated story about a sister and brother who remarkable old people that will delight the eye and tickle the funny bone. resolve their differences with the help of fantasy animals. Children’s author Bette Westera and present is a particularly striking element Bette Westera (b. 1958) is a There are plenty of children’s books about She had become more important,’ because The award-winning oeuvre of illustrator Sylvia Weve have taken a of this book and lends an extra dimension versatile author of children’s books imaginary friends, but this poetic tale is of course she has a very special secret that Edward van de Vendel (b. 1964) who particularly enjoys writing for consists of over fifty titles that are unique and gently anarchic approach in to each of the poems. Behind each portrait just a little bit different. The fantasy shines within her, like an ‘inner sun’. children of around six and seven. remarkable in their variety. Van de these vibrant and powerful portraits of of an old person, an ingenious system of She has received a great deal of creatures that appear to Moonie and her Raf immediately understands what’s Vendel has written picture books twelve old people, with their snappy fold-out pages conceals a portrait of their praise for her stories in poem form. brother Raf are like totem animals, going on, because an animal once ap- such as Kleinvader (Little Father), rhymes and eloquent images.