Jan de Leeuw nominated for the Jugendliteraturpreis

Jan de Leeuw's Bevroren kamers (Frozen Rooms) has been nominated for the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis 2011. Rolf Erdorf translated the title as Schrödinger, Dr. Linda und eine Leiche im Kühlhaus. De Leeuw won praise from the jury for his style, which was described as 'light hearted and, at the same time, tragicomic'. Also, 'The reader experiences the chaotic feelings of mourning, caring, amorousness and despair from inside as well as from a distance: a complete panoramic view'.

Eight illustrators selected for the 23rd International Biennial of children's book illustrations

The names of those illustrators taking part in the 23rd International Biennial for children's book illustrations in Bratislava (BIB) have been announced.

Bologna a home from home for the FLF again this year

For the fifth time in succession, the Flemish Literature Fund (FLF) will be flying the banner at the international children's book fair in Bologna (28 – 31 March). We have fixed appointments with more than 60 foreign publishers at the joint Flemish stand. But there is more: the FLF is spotlighting three recent titles, illustrators Stefanie De Graef and Tom Schamp will be travelling with us and Carll Cneut is on the jury for the prestigious illustrators' exhibition.

2011 Book Lion and Book Peacock awards assigned

The Book Lion (Boekenleeuw) and Book Peacock (Boekenpauw) awards have been assigned. Boek.be, the association of Flemish book publishers, importers and sellers award these prizes annually for the best written and most beautifully illustrated children's and youth books. The prizes were awarded on Wednesday 23 February.

Tom Schamp and Stefanie De Graef are heading for Bologna

Stefanie De Graef and Tom Schamp, two Flemish illustrators, will be joining the Flemish Literature Fund (FLF) at the Children's Book Fair in Bologna in Italy, which will take place at the end of March 2011. The two illustrators will visit exhibitions together, will meet publishers and attend many lectures.

Belgian illustrators exhibit in Japan

This week, an exhibition on 14 Belgian illustrators premières in the Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art, in Northern Japan. From 1 November 2010 to 19 January 2011 visitors can admire more than 200 originals from the Flemings Sabien Clement, Carll Cneut, Gerda Dendooven, Guido van Genechten, Ingrid Godon, Tom Schamp and Klaas Verplancke. The exhibition also introduces Japan to the work of major French-speaking illustrators, such as Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner Kitty Crowther, Anne Herbauts and Mario Ramos.

 

Illustrator Carll Cneut inspires British children

Carll Cneut, one of the most successful illustrators in Flanders, is an important guest at The Children's Bookshow, an annual tour of children's authors and illustrators through the UK. Cneut is one of twelve artists who want to inspire school children with their passion for 'Stories from around the world', this year's central theme.

Dutch awards for Flemish children's book writers and illustrators

The Dutch Griffel and Penseel prizes are awarded to the best books of the year and presented during Dutch Children's Book Week in October

 

The Griffel jury awards Zilveren Griffel (Silver Slate Pencil) prizes to ten authors of children's books every year. This year's selection consisted solely of books originally written in the Dutch language. On 5 October, one of the ten nominated books will receive the Gouden Griffel (Golden Slate Pencil), the prize for the best children's book of the year.

Pieter Gaudesaboos wins Plantin Moretus Readers' Choice Award

The yearly Plantin Moretus Prizes award the best designed books in several categories. Flemish illustrator and graphic designer Pieter Gaudesaboos received the readers' choice award for his cover design of ‘Het boek van Mannetje Koek' (Mister Cookie's book).

Kaatje Vermeire wins hearts in Bologna

New book by young Flemish illustrator ‘big discovery of the fair' for many publishers

The Flemish Literature Fund (FLF) participated actively in the International Children's Book Fair in Bologna for the fourth time this year, promoting Flemish books for children and young adults through meetings with 60 contacts, mainly publishers, from other countries. This year, for the first time, a team of two illustrators received FLF-funding to attend the fair: Kaatje Vermeire, a young illustrator, and the experienced artist Carll Cneut. The thinking behind this visit was that the experience and results gained from years of working with foreign publishers should be passed on to the younger generation.