Jan-Willem Blijdorp, author of children’s books. Photo Andre Weima
Although he occasionally writes something for adults, Janwillem is primarily a children’s book author. In 1993 he made his debut with Camping in the Knees, a story about three friends who experience all kinds of exciting adventures during a cycling holiday. The reason for writing that particular book at that time was very personal. “I was having a very difficult time at the time, was going through a bad time. But writing about those friends who go on holiday together brought back all kinds of beautiful holiday memories from when I was young myself. In a way, writing that story was an escape from misery, back to the good times of my youth.”