Tjibbe Veldkamp has won the biennial Nienke van Hichtum Prize 2023 for his youth novel The Boy Who Loved the World.
‘Tjibbe Veldkamp, who caused a sensation with countless picture books and some raw realistic novels for young people, wrote with The boy who loved the world a masterful story in poetically clear language,’ writes the jury. ‘A story that sheds light on the beautiful sides of life. A story that warms on cold days. A story to fall in love with. The warmest book of the winter.’
The boy who loved the world tells the story of Adem, a ‘possible child’. When his parents meet, a spark ignites and Adem comes to life as a ghost. However, his parents are in danger of losing contact and to secure his own future life, he must bring them back together. But that turns out to be more difficult than expected.
Veldkamp from Groningen, who still lives in the city, writes picture books, youth novels and stories for young children with a good dose of humor. In 1992 he made his debut with the picture book A nothing waiter . He won several Silver Griffels, including for Cop and crook (2008) and the youth novel Tiffany Dop (2009).
The jury, chaired by Aad Meinderts, consisted of Jeroen Dera, Rashif El Kaoui, Sanne Parlevliet, Jan de Roder, Mathijs Sanders, Jeannette Smit and Sarah Vankersschaever. The prize carries a sum of 6,000 euros.