Frisian / Netherlands
Abe en de Aardichman
(Abe and the Earthman)
Hoogeveen, Tialda
(text)
Reeder, Yke
(illus.)
Ljouwert: Afûk, [2022]. – 53 p.
ISBN 978-94-93159-88-4
Friendship | Bullying | Trust | Self-confidence | Imaginary friend
Reading age: 7+
White Ravens issue: 2023
After Abe and his mother have moved into a new house, Abe discovers a little brown man living in an overgrown garden nearby. Abe calls the man with no name the »Earthman«. Because Abe has had bad experiences with other children and is fearful of them, it takes a while for him to get to know Sibrich, the new girl next door. He discovers that she also has an imaginary friend. She calls the creature living in her garden »Mudman«. What follows is a warm-hearted and original story about a traumatised boy, who learns to overcome his fears and make friends. In a realistic and graceful manner, Tialda Hoogeveen depicts how trust in others sometimes gets lost but can be rebuilt. The text is accompanied by atmospheric, almost fairytale-like illustrations by Yke Reeder. [TD]