Illustrator

Philip Hopman

Philip Hopman (b. 1961) graduated from the Rietveld Academy of Art in Amsterdam. Since 1988 he illustrated over over 250 children’s books with a cinematic technique that has found many imitators. In the Netherlands, he is known as “the artist who can draw anything” – including farmers, horses, agricultural machinery, and so much more besides. His picture books, including the award-winning 22 wezen (22 Orphans), have been translated into many languages.

His pictures are crammed with hilarious details; his dashing style shows great professional skill. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations capitalize on the text in comic detail.

Toen kwam Sam

Toen kwam Sam

‘Seeing him was always a surprise, because he was so beautiful and white, and a little bit mysterious.’ Nine-year-old Kix and his younger sister Emilia fall in love with a big Pyrenean mountain dog the instant he walks into their lives. The dog is nervous and thin, with sad eyes and tangles in his ‘warm snowy fur’. Slowly the children gain his trust. But where did he come from?

This heart-warming story is one of Edward van de Vendel’s best books so far, mainly because of its tone. Based on a true story, it flows as if telling itself. Kix’s voice and experiences strike the reader as utterly authentic.

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Boer Boris

Boer Boris

In their Farmer Boris picture books, Philip Hopman’s masterful illustrations perfectly underline the humour of Ted van Lieshout’s rhyming stories.

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Ga toch fietsen!

Ga toch fietsen!

‘Ah, go and ride your bike!’ shouts Willem the dog in an argument with his husband, Boese the panda. In Dutch, that means something along the lines of ‘Just go away! Figure it out for yourself!’

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Hubert de Givenchy

Hubert de Givenchy

Voor Audrey met liefs

Before Philip Hopman (b. 1961) became an illustrator, he briefly studied fashion. Hubert de Givenchy – voor Audrey met liefs (Hubert de Givenchy – for Audrey with Love) combines both of these passions.

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De boom met het oor

De boom met het oor

‘Something happened today in gym class.’ A little boy is bursting to tell the big news that’s bubbling away inside him, but no one has time to listen to him.

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Boer Boris

Boer Boris

What began ten years ago with a simple counting book has grown to become an iconic picture-book series in the Netherlands, featuring playful stories of a consistently high quality. These stories are about Farmer Boris, a pre-schooler who has adventures with his brother and sister on and around his farm.

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