Nans van Leeuwen facts for kids

Nans van Leeuwen (born December 23, 1900 – died January 1, 1995) was a talented Dutch artist. She wrote and drew many wonderful books for children.

About Nans van Leeuwen's Life

Nans van Leeuwen was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Her full name was Ferdinanda Emilia van Leeuwen. Her father, Klaas van Leeuwen, was also an artist and a teacher. Nans studied art at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Amsterdam. She finished her studies in 1922.

After that, she moved to Rotterdam. There, she taught at a girls' school for many years. She taught from 1922 until 1962.

Nans van Leeuwen's Art Career

Nans started drawing for children's books in the 1920s. At first, she illustrated books for other writers. Later, she began to write her own stories and draw pictures for them too.

She is most famous for illustrating a series of books about a little goblin named Piggelmee. These books were used as advertisements by a coffee company called Van Nelle in the 1930s and 1940s.

The first Piggelmee book was called Het tovervisje. This means The Magic Fish. It was based on a story by the Brothers Grimm. After that came De wonderschelp (The Wonder Shells). This book was written as a poem. Then came De Baas van Bos en Duin (The Boss of Forest and Dune).

Nans van Leeuwen worked as an artist for over 30 years. Her last book was published in the late 1950s. Her drawings changed over time. Some of her early work had strong lines, like drawings by other famous illustrators. Later, her style became softer, using gentle colors.

Books Illustrated by Nans van Leeuwen

Nans van Leeuwen illustrated many books. Some she wrote herself, and others were written by different authors.

Books Written and Illustrated by Nans

• Sneeuwpret (Snow Fun)
• Sinterklaas is jarig (Sinter Klaas is a Year Old)
• Schoonmaak bij de muisjes (Cleaning at the Mouse House)
• De muizen gaan verhuizen! (The Mice Are Moving!)
• De sneeuwman van Jaap en Jetje (The Snowmen of Jaap and Jetje)
• Lotje in luilekkerland (Lotje in Good Luck Land)
• Het verdwaalde eendje (The Lost Duckling)
• Het feest van de tuinkabouter (The Gardener's Party)
• A Rainy Day (1950)
• Moeder Muis houdt grote schoonmaak (also known as Spring Cleaning with Mrs. Mouse, 1950)

Books Illustrated for Other Authors

• Bobtail's Adventure by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• Change Penny by Geertruida Vladeracken
• Die kinderen van de grote fjeld (The Children of the Great Mountain) by Laura Fitinghoff
• Die toverende tweeling (The Devout Twins) by Tiny Broekman (1958)
• Pussy-cat School by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• The Animal Ski School by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• The Happy Gnomes by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• The Naughty Clown by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• The Naughty Harlequin by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• The Nightingale by Maggy Larissa (1965)
• The Toy Bear's Train by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• The Woman in the Moon by Maggy Larissa (1963)
• The Goblin Party (1963)
• The Happy Tale of Monty Mouse (1969)
• Who Else Reads to Me? by Geertruida Vladeracken