by Lília
In the past few decades, more Dutch authors have been translated into English than I would have thought. From Annie M.G. Schmidt to Jan Terlouw, there are quite a few interesting titles for the 9-12 crowd as well. We hope they enjoy these titles as much as Dutch kids do in their original language.
First translated as Minnie by Kay Sather in the 1990s, and then again in 2014 by David Colmer as The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof, the original Minoes by Annie M.G. Schmidt has been adapted to the big screen in 2001, with Carice van Houten in the leading role.
This is a funny and interesting story about a shy journalist, a mysterious woman, her source of information, and environmental pollution.
“Shy reporter Mr. Tibble is close to losing his job because he only writes about cats. But when an act of kindness brings him into contact with the unusual Miss Minou, his luck suddenly begins to change.”
Paul Biegel, who won prizes in the Netherlands for his children’s books, also had some of his works translated. They are still read by many Dutch kids.
The Little Captain, translated by Patricia Crampon
“When Marinka, Podgy Plum and Timid Thomas set sail with the Little Captain on board his brave ship the Neversink, a world of adventures awaits. Their incredible journey will take them across stormy seas and scorching sand dunes, through palaces and sailors’ inns, past giants, dragons and polar bears. Along the way there will be danger and excitement, ghost ships and buried treasure, pancakes galore, and at the end of it all: friendship.”
The King of the Copper Mountains, translated by Sally Collins
A timeless and enchanting children’s classic.
“At the end of his thousand-year reign of the Copper Mountains, old King Mansolain is tired and his heart is slowing down. When his attendant, the Hare, consults The Wonder Doctor, he is told he must keep the King engaged in life by telling him a story every night until the Doctor can find a cure.”
The Gardens of Dorr, translated by Eva Johanna Rubin
“Dorr was once a city of merriment, music and dancing. Now it lies grey and silent under the spell of the witch Sirdis. When a young princess arrives in Dorr on a secret quest, she finds a town full of mystery, magic and danger. As she meets with a succession of strange, funny and frightening characters, Dorr’s true history, and the true nature of her quest, become clear through the stories they tell each other. Can the princess find the gardens of Dorr and free the city from its evil enchantment?”
Jan Terlouw wrote two books for a young audience: De Koning van Katoren, translated as How to Become King (unfortunately out of print); and Oorlogswinter, translated by Laura Watkinson as Winter in Wartime.
“During the Second World War, the Netherlands is still under Nazi control and any acts of resistance are punishable by death. But when sixteen-year-old Michiel is asked to take care of a wounded British Spitfire pilot he doesn’t think twice. He joins the secret struggle against the Nazis.”
Laura Watkinson was also the translator for most of Tonke Dragt’s works in English. The most well-known is The Letter for the King, which has been made into a film in 2008 and a TV series in 2020.
“A young messenger. A secret mission. A kingdom in peril.
The Letter for the King is the thrilling story of one boy’s battle against evil, set in an enchanted world of chivalry, courage and true friendship.”
A stunning gift edition of the thrilling Sunday Times and Telegraph Book of the Year, the sequel to The Letter for the King.
The Secrets of the Wild Wood sees Tiuri – now Sir Tiuri after carrying out his last perilous mission – sent into the Enchanted Wild Woods in search of one of the King’s knights, who has mysteriously disappeared. With his best friend and squire, Piak, he must journey into the heart of a terrifying, secret forest realm, where danger is all around and every path leads you astray…
The Song of Seven, translated by Laura Watkinson
“Seven paths, seven unlikely friends, and one extraordinary adventure featuring magicians, secret passages, conspiracies, hidden treasures, a black cat with green eyes and a sealed parchment which predicts the future.”
The Goldsmith and the Master Thief
“Laurenzo and Jiacomo are identical twins, as alike as two drops of water. No one can tell them apart (which comes in very handy for playing tricks on their teachers). And no one can split them up. But when tragedy strikes their carefree young lives, they must make their own way in the world. As each brother chooses his own path, it is the start of a series of incredible escapades that will test them to their limits…”
