I'm a Belgian illustrator and author of children's books. My mother works in a library so I was constantly in contact with books, especially children's books. Stories with beautiful pictures were always a big fascination of mine. Drawing keeps me looking for stories and stories keep me drawing. Everything is an inspiration: a funny moment, a good conversation, or just life. In my university, I renewed my passion for children's books thanks to my teacher Kris, also a children's book illustrator. In my final school years I got the chance to work with one of the best publishers in Belgium: De Eenhoorn (the unicorn) they gave me the chance to grow and...tell stories.
I wrote...
Crocodile's Crossing: A Search for Home
By
Yoeri Slegers
What is my book about?
Crocodile is tired, scared, and hopeful as he searches for his new home. Everything will be better where I’m going! he thinks. But where is that?
Crocodile’s Crossing: A Search for Home introduces children to the complex topic of immigration. Featuring bright artwork packed with playful details, this thoughtful tale sensitively portrays the challenges faced by refugees and other newcomers.
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The Books I Picked & Why
The Umbrella
By
Ingrid Schubert,
Dieter Schubert
Why this book?
I'm always attracted to drawings first. So a book with only drawings and your imagination is a plus for me.
It's about a little black dog that finds a red umbrella that takes it around the world. With enoughdrawings designed to reel you in.
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The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business
By
Werner Holzwarth,
Wolf Erlbruch
Why this book?
I always write a humour story next to my more adult or serious topics. If people ask me what's a funny one it's my top pic.
One day a mole wakes up, sticks his head out of the ground and get a pile of poo on it's head. The journey to find the culprit is hilarious and makes me laugh every single time.
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Little Monkey
By
Marta Altes
Why this book?
If you're small you have to prove yourself even more. I am 1.94m tall. My wife is 1.5. So I have first-hand experience. But like in real life, you don't need to prove anything. Being small or the smallest doesn't matter to the people who love you.
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A River
By
Marc Martin
Why this book?
Once again a wordless picture book. But the style of graphic and college art just blew my away. You'll get lost in this one. Everything seems possible and you'll want to go to the places he depicts. Without using words you'll want to discover how the story ends.
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Island
By
Mark Janssen
Why this book?
A dear colleague of mine, a few years back he decided to just go for it. He used all his experience and did stuff he never did before. The result, an explosion of colour and beautiful use of different techniques.
These pictures just keep on giving and giving. Every time you'll spot something new.
Once again wordless, but children necessarily don't need words to understand a story.