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.

Browse the Fall 2008 List

Latest news, reviews, and honors:

A starred review for I Feel a Foot!

Kirkus Reviews awards I Feel a Foot! with a starred review in the August 1, 2008 issue:

"Rinck's narrative is crisp and direct, and economical enough to be tackled by beginning readers, and van der Linden's illustrations are superb. ... A winner."

Praise for The Child Cruncher

School Library Journal reviews The Child Cruncher in its August 2008 issue:

"This protagonist exhibits self-confidence similar to Charlotte, who is featured in Stein’s Mine! (2007), and the bubbling child cruncher is as nonthreatening as the monsters along the path in Stein’s Brave Ben (2006, both Lemniscaat). The dynamic illustrations are consistent with van Hout’s work in those titles. ... The style serves to reinforce the action in the story while allowing for plenty of details for careful readers to discover. The result is a far-fetched adventure that will have children cheering for their heroine."

"Sparrows ignites a love of bird watching into children"

ForeWord Magazine, in its July/August 2008 issue, features a review of Sparrows:

"Sparrows, originally published in the Netherlands…is easy for children to comprehend; at the same time, they receive educational information. Parents and teachers can use this book as an instructional tool for elementary school children. The illustrations are clear, such as the picture of the mother bird laying eggs, and adults should prepare to answer questions that young ones may have. ... Overall, Sparrows ignites a love of bird watching into children."

Praise for Like People

The July 2008 issue of School Library Journal features a review of Like People:

"An informative book about behaviors shared by animals and humans. The delightful, colorful illustrations reveal adult creatures teaching, feeding, protecting, and playing with their offspring. Charming and intricately detailed... This appealing title offers the valuable lesson that all living creatures have much in common."

Praise for The Sweetest Kiss

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."

A Strange Day is a “delightful story”

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.”

“A rewarding choice for reading 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.”