Storytime Sessions
Writers read from children’s books with themes on migration, otherness and diversity.
During the Nationale Voorleesdagen (21 January to 1 February), everything centres on reading aloud to young children (0–6 years). Reading aloud helps children discover new words, understand stories better, and empathise with others. At Fenix, we mark this with read-aloud sessions on Plein, and in the exhibition, we offer a historical perspective on the theme of migration in twentieth-century children’s books.
On Sunday afternoon, children’s book authors read aloud on Plein. They take you into stories about migration, being different, and celebrating diversity. All storytime programmes are free to attend and are held in Dutch.
Programme
1 PM – Henna Goudzand Nahar: Waarom Anansi de oceaan overstak (for ages 12-6)
2 PM – Mylo Freeman: Prinses Arabella (for ages 3-9)
3 PM – Henna Goudzand Nahar: Waarom Anansi de oceaan overstak (for ages 12-6)
4 PM – Rigoberta Mejía Sian: Daarom heet ik zo
Henna Goudzand Nahar: Waarom Anansi de oceaan overstak
The spider Anansi enjoys outsmarting the animals around him. He does so every day. But when he sees large groups of people being led in chains past his home, no one pays him any attention. The other animals look away, but Anansi can think of nothing else. He has to find out where the people are being taken, and crosses the ocean with them, from Africa to the Caribbean. Illustrations by Jeska Verstegen.
Mylo Freeman: Prinses Arabella
The character Princess Arabella emerged after Freeman heard about a Surinamese girl who was convinced that princesses are always white and blonde. Freeman decided that this had to change. There had to be a picture book about a Black princess. Mylo takes you into the world of Princess Arabella: she reads aloud, explains how a book comes to life, and makes a drawing of Arabella. The Princess Arabella books are part of the exhibition All Directions. See the bottom of this page for more information.
Rigoberta Mejía Sian: Daarom heet ik zo
Utrecht-based writer Rigoberta Mejía Sian reads from Daarom heet ik zo!, a special book about identity and the stories contained in a name. Who are you, and what does your name actually say about that? Rigoberta is an education professional and reading advocate. She knows better than anyone how important it is for children to feel seen and heard—something she carries through in her daily work at school and in her story. Illustrations by Aafke Mertens.
Children's books in the exhibition
This month, Fenix focuses on the Nationale Voorleesdagen. In the exhibition All Directions, you can see a selection of international (picture) books, ranging from Ludwig: De Kleine Landverhuizer from 1834 to Prinses Arabella from 2020. These books take you on a journey through time and show how stories about migration have been told to children over the years.
Visit All Directions.
photo: titia hahne