The best picture books published in Holland
Lemniscaat is a highly esteemed publishing house located in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The list represents the broad traditions of European picture books and incorporates the best contemporary art, design, and story.
A review of Ingred and Dieter Schubert's Like People appears in the February 25, 2008 issue of Publishers Weekly:
"The prose is warm and soothing, but the art, packed with quasirealistic, playful animals, will have readers fully alert and poring over the pages."
The February 1, 2008 issue of School Library Journal features a review of Maranke Rinck's The Sweetest Kiss:
"As in the earlier book [The Prince Child], a lyrical poem is paired with a realistically painted animal. ... The art is the standout, with each animal so realistic that readers are tempted to stroke its feathers or fur. The birds, hippo, dog, etc., are bedecked or decorated in gorgeous attire or colors, reflecting an amalgam of cultures."
School Library Journal, in its May 2007 issue, reviews Iris van der Heide's A Strange Day. Reviewer Mary Hazelton writes:
“This delightful story is simply told and illustrated with charm and humor, reminiscent of Bruce McMillan’s The Problem with Chickens (Houghton, 2005). An entertaining read-aloud.”
In its January 1, 2007 issue, Booklist writes of The Wish, coauthored by Elle van Lieshout and Erik van Os:
“Features captivating pastel artwork that creates a distinctive setting. The beautifully composed, rather spare scenes feature lines that sweep lyrically across the pages and provide details that reward children studying the pictures. Lila herself is portrayed as such an appealing, droll, down-to-earth figure that the happiness she finds on her birthday is entirely satisfying. A rewarding choice for reading aloud.”
School Library Journal, in its August 2007 issue, reviews Mine, by Mathilde Stein:
“In this pleasant import, a grabby ghost is taught how to share. … Cheerful pictures and a lighthearted tone make this lesson easy to digest. ...Simple and sweet.”
Here’s what Kirkus Reviews, in its July 1, 2007 issue, says about Cute by Lida Dijkstra:
“The ‘cute’ illustrations reinforce the ‘just be yourself’ message by highlighting Toby's hilarious transformation from ‘cute’ rabbit to demon biker. Indeed, from the end pages featuring cameos of Toby strutting his stuff to the domestic details of Toby's rabbit home, this one’s just plain cute.”
