Author

Veronica Hazelhoff

Veronica Hazelhoff (1947-2009) started writing at an early age, but her first children’s story was not published until 1980. This was followed by a steady stream of successful short stories and books for children and young adults. Her down-to-earth style and unique protagonists earned her many enthusiastic readers and a number of awards. Her very first novel, Nou moe! (Come on mom!, 1981), was a hit, winning a Zilveren Griffel and a prize for the year’s best- selling debut. She went on to win a Gouden Griffel, the prize for the best children’s book of the year, for Auww! in 1984, and a Zilveren Griffel for Visit from Mister P. Later, Veren (Feathers, 1994) also won her a Zilveren Griffel and the prestigious Nienke van Hichtum Prize.

Nothing Heard, Nothing Seen

Nothing Heard, Nothing Seen

(Querido Kind, 1997, 84 pages)

Hazelhoff’s work is characterized by a sober, slightly melancholy style, which highlights the meaning of friendship and shows people in all their vulnerability. The name of the protagonist in this book is Linde, but she calls herself River. Not the ‘lovely calm river’ her father drew in one of his books, but a wild, grey river which overflows its banks with brute force. The ten-year-old River is an only child and is smothered by the all-embracing love of her parents. Her father even uses her as the main character in all his picture books, with the result that River never tells him anything any more, because he’ll just use it in a story.

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The Cat and the Kid

The Cat and the Kid

(Querido Kind, 2001, 80 pages)

The Cat and the Kid is a book about characters who go against the grain. It tells the story of a black-and-white alley cat and a sullen teenager, both of whom are, in their own way, searching for security and friendship. Cat finds those things under Lucas’s comforter, but unfortunately for Cat, Lucas makes no secret about his dislike of animals. There isn’t too much that is cuddly about Hazelhoff’s cats. They scratch, pee outside the litter box and keep you awake at night when they don’t get their way.

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Visit from Mister P

Visit from Mister P

(Querido Kind, 2006, 168 pages)

Pain is never far away for Jo-Jo. Mister P is the name he gives to his pain, the uninvited visitor who torments his limbs and joints. Jo-Jo loves playing football, but if Mister P has anything to do with it, he’ll soon have to give up his position in goal. His body is going on strike more and more often.

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