Memories of childhood

Rita Törnqvist excels in autobiography. She first became known for her outstanding translations of Astrid Lindgren’s work. In 1976 she began writing her own books for young readers. Wie is hier eigenlijk de baas? (Who’s Actually In Charge Here?, 1977) is the result of correspondence between the author and her 11-year-old daughter Marit Törnqvist, now a successful illustrator. It was followed by a cheerful trilogy about the fantasy-filled children Heleen and Waldemar. In Ze snappen er niets van (They Just Don’t Get It, 1978), Wat je zegt ben je zelf (It Takes One to Know One, 1977) and Kinderen en gekken (Children and Fools, 1978) light-hearted rebellion and childlike logic are confronted with the actions and thoughts of adult educators. In 1993 Hoe moet dat nu met die papillotten (What About the Curl Papers?) appeared, the first part of an autobiographical cycle in which the author recounts memories of the Second World War. Rita Törnqvist has an exceptional capability to recreate the mental and emotional world of the child she once was. Everything seems authentic and plausible. The poetic undertone, the childlike amazement and the touching humour with which she accomplishes this have won her a distinguished place in the world of Dutch children’s books.

Rita Törnqvist (photo Van Goor)

Memories of childhood provide a favourite source for Henri van Daele as well. Village life in the time before the advent of video shops, discos and solariums plays an important role in his youth books. In Pitjemoer (1980), Pitjefaan (1983) and Mitjemoer (1984) he brings to life the Flemish countryside of forty years ago through the eyes of his grandparents, while Ti (1996) tells the story of a typical village beggar. Henri van Daele is a brilliant narrator and observer. In short, pithy sentences he describes recognisable situations and recounts Flemish-sounding dialogues. Van Daele is also revered as a teller of classic stories from world literature.