Guus Kuijer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guus Kuijer
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Kuijer in 2012
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| Born | 1 August 1942 Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Occupation | Teacher (1967–1973) Writer (1971 to date) |
| Language | Dutch |
| Education | Bachelor of Education |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Notable awards | Gouden Griffel 1976, 1979, 2000, 2005 Golden Owl 2005 Astrid Lindgren Award 2012 |
Guus Kuijer (born August 1, 1942) is a famous Dutch writer. He writes books for both kids and adults. He is most known for his Madelief series of children's books.
In 2012, he won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. This is the biggest prize for children's literature in the world! He was also a finalist for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2008.
Contents
Guus Kuijer's Early Life
Guus Kuijer was born on August 1, 1942, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His parents were part of a church group. However, Guus Kuijer later said he didn't remember ever believing in God.
He went to a special school called a kweekschool in Doetinchem. There, he studied to become a teacher. From 1967 to 1973, he worked as a primary school teacher.
Becoming a Writer
Guus Kuijer started his writing journey in 1968. He wrote short stories for a magazine called Hollands Maandblad. In 1971, he put many of his short stories together into a book.
In 1973, he decided to stop teaching. He wanted to become a full-time writer. That same year, he published his first novel for adults, called Het dochtertje van de wasvrouw.
Writing for Children
In 1975, Guus Kuijer published his first children's book. It was called Met de poppen gooien. This book was very popular! He won a special award for it in 1976, called the Gouden Griffel.
Met de poppen gooien was the first of five books about a girl named Madelief. Her name means "Daisy" in Dutch.
Books on Screen
Many of Guus Kuijer's books have been turned into movies and TV shows.
His Madelief book series became a TV show in 1994. Later, a movie called Scratches in the Table was made in 1998.
Another popular book series by him is Polleke. This series was written between 1999 and 2001. A movie called Polleke was made in 2003, and a TV show followed in 2005.
In 2011, his book The Book of Everything was translated into English. An Australian writer, Richard Tulloch, turned it into a very successful play. This play was performed in 2013 by the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Guus Kuijer's Books
Guus Kuijer has written many books for both children and adults. Here are some of his well-known works:
- 1971 – Rose, met vrome wimpers
- 1973 – Het dochtertje van de wasvrouw
- 1975 – Met de poppen gooien (First Madelief book)
- 1976 – Grote mensen, daar kan je beter soep van koken
- 1978 – Krassen in het tafelblad (Another Madelief book)
- 1983 – Het grote boek van Madelief (A collection of Madelief stories)
- 1987 – Tin Toeval en de kunst van het verdwalen
- 1990 – Olle
- 1999 – Voor altijd samen, amen (First Polleke book)
- 2001 – Ik ben Polleke hoor! (Another Polleke book)
- 2004 – Het boek van alle dingen
- 2006 – Hoe een klein rotgodje God vermoordde
- 2012 – De Bijbel voor ongelovigen. Het Begin - Genesis (The Bible for Unbelievers. The Beginning - Genesis)
Awards and Recognition
Guus Kuijer has won many important awards for his writing. These awards show how much his books are loved and respected.
- 1976 – Gouden Griffel for Met de poppen gooien
- 1977 – Zilveren Griffel for Grote mensen, daar kun je beter soep van koken
- 1979 – Staatsprijs voor kinder- en jeugdliteratuur (State Prize for Children's and Youth Literature)
- 1979 – Gouden Griffel for Krassen in het tafelblad
- 1984 – Zilveren Griffel for Eend voor eend
- 2000 – Gouden Griffel for Voor altijd samen, amen
- 2003 – Woutertje Pieterse Prijs for Ik ben Polleke hoor!
- 2005 – Gouden Griffel for Het boek van alle dingen
- 2005 – Gouden Uil jeugdliteratuurprijs for Het boek van alle dingen
- 2012 – Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
