Children’s book prize goes to Yorick Goldewijk 

Image: WPG Kindermedia, book illustrator Yvonne Lacet

Yorick Goldewijk’s Films die nergens draaien (Fims played nowhere) is the winner of this year’s Gouden Griffel (golden pencil) award, the Netherlands’ most prestigious prize for children’s literature, it was announced on Thursday.

Illustrator Raoul Deleo scooped the Gouden Penseel (golden paintbrush) award for Terra Ultima, which was co-created with scientist and explorer Noah J. Stern.

Films die nergens draaien tells the story of 12-year-old Cato, who finds a ticket to a mysterious cinema. The jury described it as captivating and moving and ‘a magical book that shows what children’s literature can do’.

Terra Ultima, which won the Woutertje Pieterse Prize in April, is a botanical journey of discovery taking readers into an imaginary continent inhabited by fantastic hybrid creatures. The book, noted the jury, appeals to all ages. The illustrations are ‘breathtaking and particularly finely drawn’, they said.

The Gouden Griffel and Gouden Penseel prizes are awarded annually by book marketing foundation CPNB around the time of children’s book week, which this year starts on October 5.

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