This is a book for the Dutch celebration of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas), containing nine rhyming stories. Because: why should Saint Nicholas be a human being? In this book Saint Magpie can't help stealing back the presents he gave. Saint Pengouin thinks the Dutch winter became too warm, Saint Mammoth isn't convinced of his own existence, Saint Rhino is troubled by a rare allergy, Saint Turtle is still on its way from Spain, and then there's Saint Chick.  

The delightful illustrations in colour are by 

Daddy is a polar bear

Papa is een ijsbeer

Saskia Halfmouw

Saint Pengouin and other holy animals

De pinguïnsint en andere dierenklazen

Daddy is a polar bear started as a short story, but 

 made it into a richly illustrated little graphic novel, which also makes it an easy read. The story is about an older sister and her 4-year old brother, who one day starts repeating this sentence: 'Daddy is a polar bear'. Why does he do that? What does it mean? But then the girl sees a documentary about polar bears... A tender, light and warm story about children in a divorce situation. 

 and I based this story on the oldest folk tale form Japan (The Bamboo Cutter), but we made a very free interpretation. A mysterious girl is born between the bamboo an old couple is living off. She grows up to be the most beautiful young woman and soon she attracts all kinds of suitors, including princes and noblemen. But she has eyes for nobody. Why is that? What is her secret? Mattias created a wonderful and rich graphic novel out, with full colour images on each and everyone of the 260 pages.  

Edward van de Vendel

prijs: Longlist de Boon (Flanders)

Saint Pengouin and other holy animals

Daddy is a polar bear

The bamboo girl