The Book of Everything by Guus Kuijer, translated by John Nieuwenhuizen

Since I'll be traveling in Europe, I decided to read as many books by European writers as possible. I re-read "The Book of Everything" on the trip to Germany and when the final page was finished, my heart was floating with the clouds outside of the plane. Here are my comments:

Who is the author: A renown Dutch writer of various genres.
What is the story about: domestic violence carefully handled and softened by the infatuation and imagination of the boy, Thomas. His timely encounter of a strong woman (a witch-like lady) and his visions and dialogues with Jesus mark the turning point of his life and also his family's.

My favorite lines: "what do you want to be when you grow up?"
           "when I grow up, I am going to be happy."
           "And do you know how happiness begins? It begins with no longer being afraid."

The lady helps him understand that it is fear that makes his father violent. And if you are fearless, nobody can take away your happiness.

Are you happy today? Hope my review make you happy, at least for a while.

Daniel Nesquens (Daniel m. Sánchez): A writer who tickles your funny bone

I first met Daniel after Uri's talk at the White Raven Festival. It was brief and I was laughing during that 30 seconds of talk. I told my housemates, "He looks like a funny man." and they said, "He IS funny." So, next day, I stared looking for him to have more chat but couldn't find him until we were about to say good-night. Then, suddenly, here he was at the doorway.  We took this funny picture.

With Daniel on the street.

And I realized that he had a picture book published in Taiwan by Grimm (格林）.

Here is the book.

I've been looking for this book on-line, but it seemed out of stock everywhere, even the publisher's own website. Well, if anyone has this book, please let me know. It'd be the greatest shame if I know the writer but not his work. I'll update this post after I read the book.  Ciao for now.

Bennett Schroeder: A Princess of Surrealism

In the attic of the International Youth Library,  you can find the collection of Bennett Schroeder: the books by her favorite writers or illustrators, her own books, and the little girl that never ages with time.
She gave us a guide herself to the hideout of that little girl and tell us her story of being an illustrator. Here is the story:

She wanted to be a nun when she was little, simply because the nuns dressed elegantly.

The melancholy of falling in love with a wrong man gave her the images to create this lovely story, Lupinchen, her favorite one. 

The little girl wears the shoes of different colors: one blue and one green.

Standing by the author with her book, what a honor. I hope my readers would feel the same about me. 

It's still a mystery how she got this hand puppet.

滿月傳奇 (格林文化）http://www.cite.com.tw/product_info.php?products_id=3495
is the book you can find in Taiwan illustrated by her. 

March of the Angels: the book that holds your heart

I knew the exhibition room of the library had changed their exhibit for a new topic. From the new decors, photos, and pictures, I guessed it was about a doctor who took care of children. I felt the heavy sadness lingered in the room every time I passed the room, but I ignored it until today.

I wanted to catch the sunlight that warmed the room, so I sat down and read the book about the doctor.
"March of the Angels,"  is the title. The story was told in chronicle order about Janusz Korczak, a doctor in Poland, who gave up being a doctor and became a care-taker of children who lost their families in wars and almost lost themselves in poverty when their dignity as human beings were tramped by the neglect and indifference of the society.

Janusz Korczak with children

The decors in the exhibition room.

I thought, well, yes, I know this kind of story...the humanitarian acts ...but the story turned when Nazi came in with the brutal decision.  All the kids should be sent to the gas chamber. My heart sank into a lump, and my tears gushed out when I reached the part that described the doctor led the children march to death with calm and dignity.

They all died in the end. But the children didn't know they were marching to their death. They were talking about what they'd want to be when they grew up. They never grew up, the dreams perished with their lives. But, at least, they died in calmness, in the dream of having a future.

I couldn't stop my tears just like I could not stop the visitors who happened to come in at the moment when I was wiping my tears and my eyes were terribly red. But, I didn't feel embarrassed, this is the book that gives you perfect justice to cry in front of people.

A mini window decor of the dinning room of the orphanage.

The book, March of the Angels.

I tried to google the book, but couldn't find any. So, I share the photos with you. Hope you will find the book and give yourself a good cry in the love of Janusz Korczak.