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The Book of Everything

By Guus Kuijer
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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,439 ratings, 340 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Book of Everything by Guus Kuijer is a poignant novel set in post-war Amsterdam, following the adventures of a young boy named Thomas. With a vivid imagination, Thomas envisions a magical world that helps him navigate the realities of family life and societal norms. The story gently explores themes of hope, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate thoughtful tales about childhood curiosity and imagination set against the backdrop of 1950s Amsterdam. It offers a poignant and hopeful narrative, exploring themes of family, resilience, and the power of dreams, which may appeal to readers who cherish heartwarming stories with a touch of magical realism.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A small book about the big things in life that really matter. Shocking, funny, touching and ultimately hopeful, this is a rare gem of a story for all ages.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Thomas sees amazing things that no one else can see: tropical fish swimming in the canal, sparrows playing bright trumpets, and frogs wriggling through the letterbox. When his father hits his mother, Thomas sees the angels cover their eyes and weep.

He writes it all down in The Book of Everything, including his wish: 'When I grow up, I'm going to be happy'. One of his biggest discoveries is that happiness begins with no longer being afraid.

'A deeply moving story about a family. Could be any family - it could be about the whole world, really. About the triumph of love over fear, life over death. So sad, so beautiful.' - Ron Brooks

'What a gorgeous, gorgeous story. Jaunty and quirky and sweetly funny, The Book of Everything is an absolute charmer.' - Sonya Hartnett

A startling book for young and old.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Book of Everything by Guus Kuijer is praised as an uplifting fable, with its protagonist, Thomas, using his imagination to rise above a bleak environment. Reviews highlight it as a wise and touching story, offering a hopeful perspective on a sometimes cruel world, and inspire readers to seek joy and positivity.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781741147513

Publisher: A&U Children's

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 March 2006

Country: Australia

Imprint: A&U Children

Audience: Children, Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 195.0mm

Weight: 124g

Pages: 136

Collections

Children’s, Teenage and Educational Education & Reference Guus Kuijer Non-Fiction Young Adult

About the Author

Guus Kuijer is one of Holland's most celebrated children's book authors, with published work spanning short story collections, novels for children and adults, stage plays and television scripts. In 2005, The Book of Everything won the Flemish Golden Owl Award and the Dutch Golden Pencil Award. Guus received the 2012 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature.

John Nieuwenhuizen has translated six novels from the Dutch language, including Falling, The Baboon King (winner of the prestigious Mildred L. Batchelder Award for translation) and And What About Anna?. In 2005 John was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Translation Prize. His translation of Ann Provoost's In the Shadow of the Ark is on the long-list for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

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