Picture Books
A recent selection of Picture Books, mostly in Dutch
Kijk dan toch!
Author: Elvis Peeters.
Publisher Lannoo, 2023.
Isbn: 9789401489676
The toad peers around.
Nothing to see.
"Something is going to happen here," says the snail.
"I'm curious," mumbles the toad.
Does the snail mean the ants passing by?
Or the berry that falls? Or the two sparrows?
The toad doesn't know.
Morris
Author: Bart Moeyaert, (winner Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award).
Publisher Querido (Amsterdam), 2022 (8+).
Isbn: 9789045128177
Morris climbs a mountain to fetch his grandmother's dog safely home for the hundredth time when a snowstorm catches them by surprise. Moeyaert depicts Morris, with masterly precision, as a loner who carries sadness within him and at the same time – almost to his own surprise – doesn’t let anyone mess him about. Sebastiaan Van Doninck's illustrations bring warmth and colour into the snow-white cold of the story.
Translations:
Italy (Sinnos), Germany (Hanser Verlag), Sweden (Lilla Piratforlaget), Slovenia (Sodobnost)
Awards:
Winner audience Boon Jeugdliteratuur 2023, Shortlist Premio Andersen, Italy 2023
Heel de wereld wordt wakker
Author: several, curated by Jaap Robben.
Publisher Gottmer, 2022 (8+).
Isbn: 9789025774837
Jaap Robben compiled 'Heel de wereld wordt wakker', a collection of the 333 most beautiful Dutch and Flemish poems for children, written between 1990 and now. Because: poetry is indispensable, poetry makes you think, makes you feel, surprises you and enriches your world - especially when you are young.
'All the world wakes up' is the anthology that the modern children's poetry of the Netherlands and Flanders deserves: a beautiful collection that certainly lasts a childhood, but hopefully a lifetime.
Akwasi, Bette Westera, Bart Moeyaert, Ester Naomi Perquin, Toon Tellegen, Ted van Lieshout, Joke van Leeuwen and many others: the selected poets excel in language arts, increasing reading pleasure and understanding the world of children. 'All the world wakes up' is an ultimate reference work of modern children's poetry that puts the child at the center. Be inspired and immerse yourself in a world of language full of humour, surprises, emotion and beauty.
Jaap Robben is a celebrated author of poetry, novels, picture books, children's books and articles, known for, among other things, the picture books about Suzie Ruzie and the novel 'Birk', which was awarded several times. Illustrator Sebastiaan Van Doninck (winner of the Boekenpauw 2020) provided all 333 beautiful poems with catchy, poetic images that make the collection a feast for the eyes for young and old.
De Fantastische Vliegwedstrijd
Author: Tjibbe Veldkamp.
Publisher Querido Amsterdam, 2020.
Isbn: 9789045124063
Ten teams line up at the start of the Flying Competition for Birds. They’re all bursting to win, except that Team Owl has overslept yet again. During the race, the competitors find themselves in difficulties one by one. Team Flamingo never gets off the ground, Team Hawk leaves its plane by ejector seat and Team Ostrich-Penguin crashes. It’s a real knock-out race, with only Team Chicken apparently spared. Or are the chickens not completely playing fair, determined as they are to go home with the cup? Their sabotage is quickly discovered, and they’re blocked by the other teams just short of the finish. No winner this year then. Or has another formidable competitor been overlooked?
In thirteen large, detailed landscapes with more than 300 birds, outlandish aircraft and high-spirited supporter chicks with little flags, illustrator Sebastiaan Van Doninck takes the reader along for a thrilling contest full of humorous details. In the bright watercolours we discover the real story of the race.
Translations: UK (Tate), French (Alice)
Awards: Boekenpauw 2020, Shortlist Woutertje Pieterse prijs 2021, Sardes Leespluim (Nederland)
Helden
Author: Daan Remmerts de Vries.
Publisher Lannoo, 2020.
Isbn: 9789401453899
More than three thousand years ago they lived in Greece: the heroes about whom this book is about.
Adventure still existed! There were cyclopes, centaurs, bands of warrior women and mysterious mazes. Traveling was therefore an undertaking.
And the question was whether you would also return from it.
Still, some young men went out. And not unnoticed. The deeds of men with names like Perseus, Heracles and Jason were celebrated by poets, thinkers and writers. Those old stories describe fabulous events, of people who experienced unimaginable things.
But perhaps the greatest miracle is that, after all this time, we can still read about their adventures - retold in a contemporary and witty way.
Awards: Vlag en Wimpel CPNB (Nederland)
De meest eenzame walvis ter wereld
Author: Kim Crabeels.
Publisher Lannoo, 2018.
Isbn: 9789401452854
A moving story about friendship and the power of imagination
Lilja lives in a lighthouse, she is the keeper of the northern lights. Her dad is often away doing research at sea. After each sea voyage, Lilja receives a shell. She already has quite a collection.
One day Dad tells about a whale that always swims alone. Other whales can't hear his song, so they don't find him.
When Lilja stays home alone, it is quiet in the lighthouse. Until suddenly a song sounds from one of the shells. Could it be the whale? And does he sing for Lilja?
Translations: French (Alice), Italian (Sinnos), Korean (Sanha), Russian (MIF)