Kinderboekenweek is almost upon us: an annual celebration of children's books

Kinderboekenweek has been celebrated every year in the Netherlands since 1955. This year marks the 70th annual Kinderboekenweek. Every Kinderboekenweek has a theme. This year that theme is Lekker eigenwijs!

During Kinderboekenweek, libraries organise fun activities for children. For example, special reading afternoons are held, often with well-known children's book authors. In addition, many libraries offer workshops for children, such as writing stories, drawing or making your own book. Games, quizzes and scavenger hunts are also organised. There are many great activities this year because Lekker eigenwijs is the theme of Kinderboekenweek.

Every year an author or writer of children's books is asked to write a special book for Kinderboekenweek. This is called the Kinderboekenweekgeschenk (children's book week gift). This year Pieter Koolwijk is writing the book "Schatpakkers". The drawings in the book are done by Linde Faas. At most bookstores you get the gift for free if you buy another book.

There is also a book published for Kinderboekenweek for children who cannot yet read. That is the Kinderboekenweek picture book. In it, drawings and illustrations take centre stage. Noëlle Smit (1972) has created this year's picture book. It is called "De vierling op de vensterbank" (the quadruplets on the windowsill). You will not get this book as a gift, but you can buy it for yourself.

Every year, usually in the month of June, awards are given to children's books. These awards have a special name: silver griffins for writers and silver brushes for illustrators. These are the awards for the best written or best illustrated children's books for children of different ages. There are 12 books this year that received a silver pin or brush.

During a special party on the night before Kinderboekenweek begins, two books receive the top prize of Kinderboekenweek. This party is called the Kinderboekenbal. One of the authors who previously won a silver stylus will now receive the golden stylus. This is the award for the best children's book of the year. The creator of the most beautifully illustrated book then also receives a prize. This is the golden pencil. We will not know until 1 October which books win the golden prizes this year.

The winner of the golden stylus for 2024 is Annejan Mieras for the book 'Het kleine heelal' (the small universe). The winner of the golden stylus for 2024 is Jeska Verstegen for the book 'Het touw en de waarheid' (the rope and the truth). Both books are on sale in bookstores.

All children between the ages of 6 and 12 can participate in the Dutch children's jury prize each year before it is Kinderboekenweek each year. Special reading weeks are organised at primary schools. During these weeks, children read a lot and think about which book they like best. Then children can vote. From 10 to 24 April, children in the Netherlands were able to vote for their favourite book this year. In May the jury said which books have won. There are two age groups: 6 to 9 years and 10 to 12 years. Each age group chooses its own winner. Rutger Vink and Thomas van Grinsven (6 to 9 years) and Kevin Hassing (10 to 12 years) won the Dutch children's jury prize this year!