Yellowlightdistrict

Joke van Leeuwen (1952) studied history at the University of Brussels, performs in cabaret and theatre shows, writes stories and poems for children, which she illustrates herself, and writes prose and poetry for adults. She has received innumerable awards, including the prestigious Theo Thijssen Prize, the triennial Dutch State Prize for youth literature.

In her work, Joke van Leeuwen champions the uninhibited way children look at the world, fighting against repression and narrow-mindedness. A number of stories are about a quest in various stages, such as Deesje (Dee Dee) (1985), Wijd weg (Far Away) (1991) and Iep! (Cheep!) (1996). Joke van Leeuwen demonstrates that high quality literature need not be inaccessible.

In December 2007 she had a kind of poetry workshop performed in Erasmus Huis, Jakarta-Indonesia and in Universitas Indonesia, Depok-Indonesia.

Labels: biography, Joke van Leeuwen