The CPNB says it has taken note of the threats ‘with great indignation and dismay’. “We think it’s terrible that an author is being attacked. Literary freedom is under extreme pressure here, which is unacceptable to the CPNB. In the near future, we need to talk to each other about the safety of authors.”
The organization previously stated that it had deliberately chosen Lammers because his children’s books are about ‘a very topical theme: being able to be yourself as a child.’
The CPNB announced in mid-January that ‘At my home’ became the theme of the Children’s Book Week. Writers Sanne Rooseboom and Yvonne Jagtenberg made a Children’s Book Gift and a separate picture book for this week. Lammers was allowed to publish a special poem.
The writer also received a lot of support from colleagues in recent days. “Pim Lammers is a writer”, Heleen van Royen pleaded on Twitter. “He writes about themes that play a role in our society. This is his profession. The wave of hatred that he is now receiving is unjustified and intensely sad. Protect our writers.”
Kevin Hassing, who won the prize for the Children’s Jury last year, also defended Lammers on social media. “So because I write about pirates I’m a pirate? Think before you say weird things,” Hassing said.
Check out some testimonials below: