fiction

Aline Sax

It’s April 1945. Here and there, portraits of the Führer still hang on the walls of the ruins of Berlin, but the swastika flags are beginning to fray, and the Russians are close by. Henrike, a seventeen-year-old girl, lives with her mother and a whole host of neighbours in the cellar of their building. They are trying to survive in what remains of their city. Her younger brother still believes in victory, but she lost that hope a long time ago. When the Russians humiliate the German population by raping women and the central character is left to that same fate by her mother, she decides to flee.

Through the eyes of a German girl, Aline Sax arrestingly describes the horrors of war. She does so in short, measured, rhythmical sentences that slow the reader down and increase the impact. In filmic images, a reality unfolds that stresses the moral ambiguity of war. This haunting novel in verse looks at human beings from every angle, as cruel, courageous, cowardly, hopeful, but above all resilient.

What we have left

Yelena Schmitz

Nina Claes

A compelling, original and authentic story about the power and pleasure of make-believe and rumours.



- With an audiobook (download it via the QR code in the book)
- Besides a book and an audiobook, 

 will also be turned into a theatre production



The rumour that a world-famous diva is coming to pay a visit, creates excitement in the sleepy town of Solnistad. Whispered suspicions, fictions and memories are mixed together, and the gossip causes a stir everywhere. What will all that human fantasy lead to? Speculations and fictions are spiced with fears, dreams and expectations.



 is a multidisciplinary triptych. Besides in the book and audiobook, the world of 

 also came to life in a theatre production. The same story is told in three different ways. The theatre production brings all elements of the story together and makes them into a spectacle. This results in a visual audio story somewhere in between a theatre production and visual arts.

Ruth De Jaeger

Rumours

Raya Schaduwjaagster

When Phoenix Lightness travels to surprising planets, the line between excitement and danger is always fine. Expect the unexpected in these surprising space journeys full of crackling ideas, genious blunders and sudden twists and turns.



- Two-book fantasy series
- Embark on the space quests of an energetic creative and his unlikely group of friends
- The quick, witty pen of Raya Shadowhunter speaks to a new generation of readers in an unprecedented way.

Phoenix Lightness is a hilarious inventor and space travelor. He travels to exciting planets together with a group of unique companions: a mermaid with mysophobia and a pair of extraordinary cats. This unlikely company of loners grows into a close-knit group of friends that work together when faced with the unexpected. Because when you travel to unknown planets, things never go according to plan ...



space, friendship, creativity, magic, desire, fantasy



Phoenix Lightness - Witches and spaceships

Phoenix Lightness - Half world and small world

Jan De Leeuw

Join Mahmood in his journey along the most beautiful palace gardens, the darkest sarcophagi and the deepest suburbs of the metropolis.



- The third volume in the exciting series about the brave Mahmood, in and around the zoo
- How does a western country deal with its colonial history?

Mahmood cannot contain his excitement the moment a gorilla arrives at the zoo. But he does not have the time to get acquainted with the animal, as he spots an intruder among the crocodiles. Just in time, he is able to save the boy. His name is Raf, but who is he really? Why does he have a black, clawed right hand? And how is all of this linked to the statues that are taken down in the city, one by one?



 curse, mystery, colonialism, despotism, statue



Noëmi Plateau

Mahmood and the black claw

Maartje Van der Laak

Can the imaginative Victoria save Castle Wissekerke, together with the animals?



- Based on the young life of Countess Marie-Louise-Victoire Vilain, who can talk to animals and who is the sister of one of the authors of the Belgian Constitution.
- The Dutch author Maartje van der Laak has been living in Belgium for several years and wrote a thrilling story about the Belgian Revolution, and the role of friendship, courage and equal rights.

Victoria seems to be a very fortunate child. She gets everything she wants, eats expensive chocolate every day, and dreams that she can fly. The servants think she is too loud and have a hard time with her ‘vile side’. Only animals seem to really understand her. When the revolution in Belgium breaks out, Victoria’s life is turned upside down. She has to leave the city, ends up in an uncanny castle with mysterious inhabitants, and makes unexpected friendships there. But betrayal, theft and even famine lurk around the corner. Can Victoria put her hubris aside, and use her mother’s family gem to save the castle?



animals, rebellion, revolution, working together, perjudice




'A wonderful magical adventure story unfolds in which Victoria's unexpected friendships with animals will ensure that famine is averted. [...] A beautiful edition laced with beautiful black-gray illustrations by Kristien Dieltiens that capture the atmosphere of the story wonderfully well.' (Youth Book Site Ghent, Jan Stevens, April 2024)

'Van der Laak has a smooth pen, seemingly effortlessly taking her readers back to the early nineteenth century. [...] On children's terms, she touches on various themes from the grown-up world: profiteering, corruption, democracy and cooperation. Her sparkling story is, as it were, a reflection of that 'real' world. (Hebban.co.uk, Greet Braem, April 2024)

'An imaginative story about a girl who outgrows her spoiled nature and sets herself up as the protector of others. A story that also has a deeper background.' (Pol Van Damme, Pluizuit, November 2023)

Victoria Vilein - The jewel of the emperor

Wendy Huyghe



International movie premiered on February 17 2023  at the
Berlinale, the international Film Festival of Berlin.




One stormy night, Lena’s father’s fishing boat sinks. Antoine Blomme and his two crew members, one of them the dad of Lena’s best friend Kaz, die. The funeral is chilly, because everyone in Ostend seems to have their own version of what happened. According to those present, it was all Antoine’s fault, because an experienced fisherman shouldn’t head out during a storm now should he? Lena doesn’t believe them, her father knew the sea like the back of his hand. When the funeral boat is suddenly startled by a fierce shock,  he catches a glimpse of a black shadow disappearing under the boat.

With the help of Vincent, a lanky octopus suit (covering up a 14-year-old boy) who shares a fascination for marine life and holds a summer job at the brand-new Secret Sea Creatures Museum, she sets out in search of the sea creature she think she’s seen – and the true cause of her father’s death.

PAPERBACK
Size: 13,5 x 20 cm
208 pages + end papers
Themes: sea, loss, father-daughter relation

Sea sparkle

Inge Bergh

A chapter book about the beautiful, growing friendship between a bear and two children.



- A bright and thick chapter book about a bear that turns the life of two children upside down.
- Grow along with the characters in seven chapters, from search images to full stories.
- With splendid illustrations that radiate a warm, cosy atmosphere.

Bas and Noor are startled: what’s in the greenhouse? They encounter a bear spinning around with a pot on its head. Turns out he isn’t as dangerous as Bas thinks, not at all! A bear is actually quite nice to have around. It is the beginning of an unlikely friendship, in which Bas and Noor try as hard as they can to keep Bear hidden from the outside world. But how will they manage to do that?




'A topper that deserves a place in every school library or in the bookshelf of just about every first-time reader.' (The Book Kingdom, December 2023)

'

 is a wonderful reading book for first grade readers. This book by author Inge Bergh contains a heartwarming story about the beautiful, budding friendship between a bear and two children. The beautiful, colorful drawings are by Suzan T'Hooft. (Bookcase Web, December 2023)

Suzan T'Hooft

A bear with us

Reine De Pelseneer

This third book about the clever, funny twin brothers Frank and Stan can be read independently.



- Two brothers who manage to cheerfully create chaos
- Engaging and exciting story with colourful characters, tension, humour, romance and

Twin brothers Frank and Stan live together with their parents, their cat Igor and the rabbits Sim and Bim in an old castle on a hill. For their birthday, they receive a special map. This leads to a thrilling search for a magical book. At the same time, the brothers have got their hands full preparing the party for their classmates and coming up with a plan for Marcin, their teacher who’s in love. Will everything turn out okay? Or will the boys screw things up once again?



Richard Verschraagen

Frank and Stan - The magical book

An exciting and nice story with appealing illustrations.



- A funny horror story with a lot of action and full of humour
- Second volume in the popular series about Frank and Stan

The twin Frank and Stan are Leighton Skeleton and Victor Melancholy’s children. Together with cat Igor they live in a big castle on a hill. The boys are enterprising and smart. But not all adults appreciate these clever boys. Frank loves spells and one day he makes a bunny disappear. Sadly, the bunny doesn’t return. The boys go looking for it and various traces lead to hilarious, exciting or disturbing theories.



Frank and Stan - The missing bunny

Anna Vercammen

An intense, moving love story about two intelligent musicians in an authoritarian regime.



In the underwater state, the pale baron is the leader. He has a strong dislike of poets; they imply all kinds of things between the lines, which makes the baron feel extremely uncomfortable. One day the baron fires all the poets into space. Fortunately, Felix and Felka are not poets but singers. Yet their names too find their way onto the list of ‘inferiors’ that the dictatorial baron wants to remove from his land. Felka, who fled to the underwater state from another oppressive country, doesn’t want to flee a second time and be forced to start again somewhere else. She persuades Felix to leave while they still can, but she herself ends up on the ejector seat. Although the book does not have a happy ending, it does convey a hopeful message: despite sounding strange and different, Felix is welcome in another society where he can share Felka’s story.

With absurd details and exaggerations, in a refreshing and highly original way, Anna Vercammen touches on social challenges such as climate change, migration, dictatorial leaders and political repression. The colourful illustrations by Chiara Lammens are packed with suggestive details, intermingle reality and fantasy, and invite readers to supplement the story and interpret it in their own way. Full-page landscapes with tiny human figures or objects are interspersed with small pencil drawings that depict the characters and their emotions. Vercammen and Lammens do not avoid emotions, and they tell a painful story with humour, about how we treat, or are in danger of treating, each other nowadays.




'Beautiful, intense and moving' (De Boekenkast)

'Every one of the fullpage colour illustrations is a picture you'd happily hang on the wall.' (Pluizuit)

'Written with emotions and symbolism' (NBD Biblion)

Chiara Lammens

The pale baron

An exciting, magical-realistic detective story about people who don’t have a voice.

 can also be read by itself.
- A thrilling but at the same time funny and heart-warming story about greed, power and the precarious circumstances of asylum seekers.
- The stories of Mahmood take place in a metropolis and incidentally show the shady side of the city life.

On a beautiful day, Mahmood sees how a gang of wild dogs are chasing the city. Especially people who can’t find shelter, are attacked by them. Where are these dogs coming from and who is behind these attacks? With the help of Zuri, a girl who roams around the streets by herself, Mahmood has to discover the plans of the mysterious Green Nightingale, before more people get hurt.



animals, dogs, homeless people, friendship



Mahmood and the golden dogs

Kathleen Verreth

A thrilling debut about time travel, special abilities, and an intriguing girl.



- Felix slowly discovers he has more powers than he could’ve ever imagine
- A cleverly constructed story set in both the present and the past, closely intertwined with the history of several major European cities

When Felix turns 14, his Grandpa decides it’s time. He begins to train
his grandson to follow in his footsteps. Step by step, a new world unfolds for young Felix. A world where he can influence thoughts, travel through time, and shape the course of history. Before he knows it, Felix unleashes unimaginable storms, has to run away from a ferocious bear, and saves a valuable statue during a rampant Iconoclastic Fury. Grandpa’s lessons are sometimes frustratingly slow, and meanwhile, Felix anxiously tries to keep this new life hidden at school. But when the beautiful yet fearful Liz shows up one day, that becomes a bit harder than expected ...



time travel, being in love, coming of age

Felix

Annie van Gansewinkel

A story about a warm summer, with a surprising friendship between a young girl and an old woman.



- A smooth read and endearing story about a friendship between two headstrong characters.
- Featuring small encounters and conversations about nothing and everything .
- With fine, contemporary pen drawings that make your unexpected details.

Milou has no friends at the holiday park where she’s spending the summer. One day, she runs away and bumps into Suzy. Suzy looks old and a bit grumpy, though she twirls in her red polka-dot dress, has only one index finger, and invites Milou to see her garden. It’s the beginning of a tentative friendship, amidst attic dust, running contests, amber, and pages of The Little Prince. Does Suzy give Milou the push she needs to make friends – and vice versa?



 being different, young and old, discovering, holiday, friendship




'Milou is bored during her stay in a holliday resort: the children she enthusiastically wants to play with reject her. When she goes out into nature, she bumps into Suus, an elderly lady who used to run the holliday resort and now lives a reclusive life. They share something special: they are both missing a finger. It is the beginning of a conversation in which the girl and the woman learn a lot from each other. Milou and Suus tells a subdued story about an unexpected friendship.' (Vanessa Joosen, De Standaard, 2024)

Marthe Verhoest

Milou and Suzy

In this book you can see, feel and smell the city like you never have before.



- An imaginative adventure with a big city as its backdrop, a melting pot of cultures in which our hero finds his way
- First part in a new series by Jan De Leeuw
- With gripping and vintage-looking illustrations

Mahmood grows up in the zoo in the big city. One day his favorite animal disappears: a tiger. Mahmood is determined to find it back. His search brings him to the darkest neighbourhoods of the city. There he ends up in the hands of a violent gang. Is he brave enough to resist them? When the fear and the panick strike, something strange happens to Mahmood ...




'Sweet, dreamy, heart-warming. Raw, mean and chilling ... This book evokes virtually any emotion you can have. And then it is also beautifully written, with lots of tension and a touch of magic ... But most of all it is an incredibly surprising story. [...] With his precise, almost poetic descriptions, De Leeuw constantly gets you thinking — about human behaviour and feelings of others, but also about diversity.' (Reading promotion project in class)



Mahmood and the gang of the tiger

Stefan Boonen

If you haven’t got a lot of time:
this is a story about a girl, Lowie.
She runs away.
In the end she (amost) dies.
And there’s more, of course, much more.

Coined Best Children’s Book of 2022 by Dutch teacher’s association

Rights sold: Italian



Until that fateful Wednesday in April, Lowie was employed by Mr and Mrs Simmer. Just like her mum (before she left) and grandmother (before she died). All day long - and all by herself - she has to do one lousy chore after the other. Until Mrs Simmer snaps her fingers one time too many. Lowie decides to run away. The thing you need to know about Lowie: when she gets angry or sad, she can jump so high it’s almost
as if she can fly.

She ends up in the village of Hinkel. Not wanting to stand out, she cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy. She/he finds work and lodging with hairdresser Roedie. A series of events puts pressure on her anonymous existence. The village discovers that she can jump very high, she meets the king, raises the Commander’s suspicious, makes friends, is forced
to admit that she is a girl and meets an old friend of hairdresser Roedie; captain Dobrik Dalmast. Then her past catches up with her: Lowie falls ill and can no longer jump. The Commander “unmasks” her as the Simmers’ ungrateful maid. Lowie realises that starting over is not for her. She ends up in the ‘pen’. But she underestimates how important she became to several residents of Hinkel, including hairdresser Roedie. After a revolt, the Commander has to release her again. With a bold move - death, maybe?- Lowie manages to escape.

Lowie’s world gets bigger and bigger. The book ends as the girl gets on a boat and embarks on a long journey with Captain Dalmast and the king. To an island where it’s said people live who, when triggered, can jump so high it’s almost as if they can fly ...



:
‘What has struck me the most when reading ‘Lowie’? It was the first book that I read in 2023 and it was immediately the first book that I gave 5 stars and listed as my favorite!
Stefan Boonen really wrote a book in which every word is perfectly in its place. ‘Lowie’ is quite a big book, around 320 pages, so perhaps it’s not for every child. But still, every word is right. No word too much, no word forgotten, just right. Perfect.’
(Books & Macchiatos, Marcella)

‘In ‘Lowie’ Boonen shows his literary side. Sublime texts. Not a word too much, no exclamation marks too few. Exactly what this special story needs. Occasionally, it read like poetry. This is by far a book to get deeper into with children from 9+. (…)
In short, ‘Lowie’ is a layered book. The basic story is good and surprising, the ending I absolutely didn’t see coming. But the layers that are in there can be used for so many purposes: talks about special abilities, about standing out, about being different.’
(Stoer Leesvoer, Linda)

‘Lowie is of a magnificent beauty. Stefan Boonen uses a writing style that needs some getting used to. The sentences are mostly short and only slowly reveal yet another layer than the sentence before. It’s like poetry. The sentences have a rhythm, a flow, and eventually they collide together into a musical melody. In that moment you are already enchanted, and you keep following the path that leads to a safe haven for the desires of Lowie.
The world in which Lowie lives is almost similar to the one in which we live. But, without revealing the details, the uses of fantasy creatures and fantasy objects give the story a fairy-tale-like dimension. (…)
Although the end of the story gives many answers, the author leaves room for a sequel. Full of anticipation, I will definitely wait for it!
(Bazarow, Peter van Bavel)

‘I love it, it’s touching, and it has surely touched me. Why? The style. Short chapters with short sentences, but with such a beautiful choice of words. The story is characterized by its simple yet beautiful use of language. It’s very accessible but it has a much deeper layer. You are going to love Lowie when you read the story. Lowie has a flutter-heart, but when the book is finished, she still flutters around in your head. And that is nice. I have read the book twice in a row and I will pick it up once again. Stefan Boonen knows howe to tell, with little words and in a very simple style, an exceptional story.’
(Hebban, Conny Schelvis)

Lowie

Let yourself immerse in a world full of exciting plans, castles and love potions.



- Richly illustrated
- Funny, imaginative story with a lot of speed
- About growing up in a family where you get all the space you need to be yourself

The twins Frank and Stan live together with mum Arlette Skeleton and dad Victor Melancholy in a big, old and crackling castle. The people in the village find them quite strange. But Frank finds strange all right. He himself is busy making a love potion for Fia. Only, it does not work so well ... When the Halloween party is coming up, he wants to impress her. Will his ‘monstrous balloon plan’ end well?



:
'Funny adventure about two boys from an unusual family who, at the same time, have the same wishes as all children. [...] Richly illustrated in duotone (black-and-green) with lots to discover (for example, there is a cross-section of the house where you can see every room in detail). The text is playful with lists, letters and recipes for magic spells.' (NBD Biblion)

'I found it very diverse: funny, exciting, romantic, and other things.' (Fleur, member of the 2022 Reading Jury (Leesjury))



Frank and Stan - The monstrous plan

Margot De Ley

A swirling search through an apartment building brings Mouna Moon more than she expected.



- Original, contemporary and comical story about the brave Mouna Moon
- Playfully written by Margot De Ley
- With cheerful and colourful illustrations by Ruth De Jaeger

Mouna Moon lives in a flat in the middle of the city. With Grandma Paloma, who thinks she’s a pigeon, and her cat Miss Sipi. One day Miss Sipi is gone. Mouna Moon holds her shoes upside down. Just enough courage falls out for her to believe that everything will be alright. Do her neighbours know where Miss Sipi is?



cat, flat, city, mom, grandmother, dementia




'Debutant Margot De Ley tells the story in rhyme, in smooth and short sentences. Ruth De Jaeger provides colorful prints that continue to surprise. One is Mr. Verzuren, the plaintive neighbor who doesn't like animals except when they've ended up nice and well-seasoned in a stew. However, when Mouna takes the time to get to know him better, she discovers that he paints people to avoid being alone. Thus Mouna ends up finding much more than she was looking for. (De Standaard, Vanessa Joosen, June 2024)

'It is quite a journey full of adventures and fine encounters, full of surprising twists and recognizable events that seem to be taken from life. Throughout the smooth text you taste and feel the author's love of language. With simple sentences, sometimes in rhyme, sometimes not, she creates a story that keeps you reading until the last page. [...] The colorful prints match this perfectly. De Jaeger draws and paints playful prints in a brash and casual style that appear childlike. But the better viewer notices a skillful style that exudes personality.'
(Pluizuit, Eric Vanthillo, June 2024)

Mouna Moon

Ade Sommereyns

In this imaginative new series, Joris finds and follows the traces of an unknown dragon species.



- A funny and warm story about dragons, family, friendship and bravery
- With atmospheric paintings that brim with suspense and mystery, by praised illustrator Ann De Bode
- The first volume of a brand new series by debuting author Ade Sommereyns

Joris’ world is turned upside down when his dad is fired. As minister of dragon control, he has discovered a method to overcome each known dragon species, so his job is done. Joris’ family suddenly has to get by with a lot less, and mum and dad aren’t smiling as much as they used to. But what is even worse for Joris: the planned school trip to the dragon tower is cancelled. A vague rumour makes him believe that there might still be an unknown species of dragons after all. Maybe then dad will get his job back? Joris sets off to discover the dragons, but doesn’t realize what he is unleashing ...



Ann De Bode

Dragon camp - A trace of dragons

During this bizarre space journey an unlikely group of einzelgängers became close friends.



- A compelling debut about a space quest full of genious blunders and unexpected twists and turns.
- The adventure of an energetic creative mind, with underground batmonkeys, clairvoyant teeth and greedy scientists.
- On his bumpy journey Feniks finds out he not only longs for freedom, but also for friendship.

Phoenix Lightness dreams of going on a space journey. A surprising swapping spree makes it possible for him to snag away his dreamship. Meanwhile, a mermaid with fear of blemishes and some wondrous cats have snuck their way into his life. Phoenix leaves with his companions and makes it to a holiday planet. But when dreams come true, things are seldomly as expected ...



fiction

Filter