SOFIE TRAVELS TO ISRAEL

There are four books in the series I make with illustrator and comic artist Floor de Goede and photo-comic-makers Ype+Willem - all of these four books are about little Sofie, who is extremely fond of animals and in particular about penguins.
After SOFIE AND THE PENGUINS (2010), there was SOFIE AND THE FLYING BOY (2012), SOFIE AND THE LITTLE POLAR BEAR (2013) and SOFIE AND THE DOLPHINS (2014). Next year we will publish a fifth book. All books (for kids aged 6-10) are issued by publishing house Querido, Amsterdam.

This year the first SOFIE-book came out in Italy (Il Castoro, SOFIA E I PINGUINI). The rights were also sold to Estonia (for all four of the books, Päike ja Pilv) and we just got to know that Sofie will travel to Israel! Publishing house Rimomim bought the rights. We are extremely happy because of this fact. Thanks, Rimomim!

For possible other countries: don't forget you can apply for a grant for the translation of these books!

COMING UP: A NEW COLLABORATION

This is from their book MY HERO.

Since years I've loved their work: Ingrid and Dieter Schuberts picture books are witty, accessible, artful, classical (since 1980!), and yet always fresh and new. And now they agreed to work on a book by the three of us.

This new picture book, with my text and their pictures, will be published somewhere in 2015 - too early to tell much more, but let me announce just this: I'm extremely proud!

The book will be published by the publishing house of Lemniscaat.

DOEI! IS HERE

Marije Tolman (see her website) is one of Hollands leading illustrator. I am quite grateful that I got the chance to work with her for this book: DOEI! (SEE YA!). Out now!

It's a story about flying dreams, about happiness, and how to pass it on. The bookdesign is by Herman Houbrechts and Querido is the publisher.
Marije gave the simple story an impressive universe - colourful and cheerful, heartfelt and sweet. Hopefully this picture book will be the beginning of many more, and hopefully the book will be brought to other countries as well.

For those of you who are interested: a full English translation is available, as well as a pdf. Mail me at e.vendel@upcmail.nl. 

BRUNO IN DUTCH

The happiness of a translator: besides writing my own books, I get to translate books that I adore. This is certainly the case with this ravishing book: BRUNO WORDT EEN SUPERHELD - Bruno becomes a superhero, written by Norwegian writer Håkon Øvreås. (Original title: BRUNE). It got a number of awards in Scandinavia, and rightfully so. The illustrations, by Øyvind Torseter, are fantastic as well. In Holland the book was issued by Querido, and hopefully it will find its way to a lot of young readers.