I have been friends with ex-speedskater Beorn Nijenhuis for over ten years.
And his athlete story is perfect for a children's book: growing up as a
Canadian kid, skating in winter at his family's own lake, eventually becoming a professional speedskater starting for The Netherlands at the Olympics in
Torino, Italy, 2006. Sanne te Loo made Beorns story into a wonderfully
warmhearted document and Maarten Deckers did the book design. The book
has little text, is based on Beorns life story and answers questions
like: is the future athlete already part of the 8-year old boy, and vice
versa?The book was published by Querido and is in stores now. It can be read by kids from eight years and up. (Or read to kids from six years and older).
Below: a sample of some of the illustrations!
