Wim Hofman (b. 1941) is one of the most highly praised writer/illustrators in the Netherlands. He has written and illustrated an impressive selection of books, including many for children. He won his first Gouden Penseel in 1974, and was awarded the Theo Thijssen prize for his oeuvre in 1991.
‘My name’s Carl. I’m ten years old, and I’m an inventor. (I invent things for everyone I know.)’ These tantalising words are the opening sentences of Martha Heesen’s Watson of Hoe je een meisje verovert met 23 uitvindingen en 1 muis (Watson, or How to Win Over a Girl with 23 Inventions and 1 Mouse): a fascinating, light-hearted and psychologically believable story about friendship, inventions, bothersome mice and pigheaded girls.
