Dutch children’s book about Brazil wins prize

The book De slipper van Maria Bonita ('The slipper of Maria Bonita') written by Liesbet Ruben and Babette van Ogtrop, won the Zilveren Griffel for the Best informative book for Children of 2012 in the Netherlands. Readers of the picture-story book learn about daily life, art, culture and the history of Pernambuco, state of Brazil located in the Northeast region.

The Zilveren Griffel is together with the Gouden Griffel, the most important Dutch literature prize for youth literature and awarded by the foundation Collective Promotion for the Dutch Book (CPNB). 'The slipper of Maria Bonita' (age 6+) accompanies the exhibition MixMax Brasil (October 2012 until spring 2015) about Pernambuco in Tropenmuseum Junior in Amsterdam. The book can be read independent of the exhibition as well.

In the Netherlands 'The slipper of Maria Bonita' is being used at many primary schools, as a preparation to the museum visit. Tens of thousands of primary school students receive the book – with corresponding exercises - before visiting MixMax Brasil, to intensify their experience at the museum.

'The slipper of Maria Bonita' has two covers. One part of the book is written through the eyes of main character Nino. If you turn it to the other side, you can read the part written through the eyes of main character Maria Bonita. The book is in Dutch.

An excerpt from the Griffel jury report: "The writers have fully succeeded in their mission. The narrative is very intriguing. It is as if you're drifting through the city with Nino and touring the interior of North-East Brazil with Maria. And you'll need to use all your senses to take it all in, as the book features not only Brazilian art and culture, but day to day life and the history of the country as well. The authors tell their tale respectfully and accurately".

Click through all the pages of the book 'The slipper of Maria Bonita'

Read more about Tropenmuseum Junior and the exhibition MixMax Brasil

More on the foundation Collective Promotion for the Dutch Book

The book has been published by KIT Publishers and is available in bookshops and online.