A book that makes me excited to see us all emerge from winter full of hope and aspiring for all the warm sunbeams that spring will surely bring. It reminds us to take care of our environment now rather than later and to do more than just rely on single individuals to save us all. We can work wonders if we collectively get together to make the world a better place. So let's try to do just that!
— pedro "Long, long ago it was so busy.
Nobody had time to stop for a moment.
Everything and everyone had to be higher, faster,
further, bigger, prettier, more!"
Thus begins Grandpa Hedgehog's story of the Rush Era. A time not so different from our own, where everyone was constantly on the move and no one had time to stop for a moment, even to care for the forest. Everyone except for a tiny hero named Quill. Can this gentle soul teach the rushing world to stop and smell the flowers before it's too late? Dive into Quill the Forest Keeper, a captivating bedtime story from Marije Tolman, translated by David Colmer, and rediscover the magic of quiet moments.
Marije Tolman studied graphic and type design at the Royal Academy in The Hague and Illustration & Design at the Edinburgh College of Art, in Scotland. Her picture books are published in many countries, including Denmark, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Mexico, South Korea, Qatar, Japan, and China. Author residence: Netherlands
David Colmer is the translator of more than 60 book-length works of Dutch-language literature and has won many prizes for his translations, including the Vondel Prize, the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, the NSW Premier and PEN Translation Prize for his body of work, and the Dutch Foundation for Literature oeuvre prize. Author residence: Netherlands
“Striking, gorgeous spreads… fitting for both an Earth Day storytime or a quiet, contemplative solo read.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Exquisite mixed-media illustrations, with meticulous linework and colors that sparkle… a playful and openhearted examination of community, consumption and the value of a life lived slowly and deliberately, with care for the natural world.” – BookPage
"A captivating and fun bedtime suitable story that rediscovers the magic of quiet moments. Original, charming, and with an important message about taking the time to enjoy our lives in an ever more hectic world, [Quill the Forest Keeper] is an especially and unreservedly recommended and welcome pick." –Midwest Book Review
“Charming and cozy, this is perfect for reading aloud.” – Booklist