Martine Letterie: Kinderen van ver

Kinderen van ver (engl: Children from afar)
Illus. by Saskia Halfmouw.
Uitgeverij Leopold 2022.

German edition: Kinder von fern.

Illus. by Elena Cavion.
Transl. by Andrea Kluitmann
Carlsen 2025.
 

This book arose through Martine Letterie’s encounters with children during her author readings in schools. Whenever she spoke about the Second World War, she was often asked why she didn’t write about the wars under which today’s children have to suffer. Frequently these questions came from children who themselves had to flee from a war or a warzone. Without any ado, they asked, “Why don’t you write about my war?” As a result, Martine Letterie asked the children in a refugee class to tell her their stories. Samuel, who is a passionate football player, and Fatima, who likes to draw, are from Syria; the parents of the siblings Azad and Tamar fled after getting on the wrong side of the Taliban. The stories of the four children stand for the fates of many child refugees. With “Kinder van ver” (Children from afar) Martine Letterie has given them a voice. An empathetic book about flight, banishment and large dreams for the future.

Grade 4-6