HORROR GIRL

EEN GRIEZELMEISJE (HORROR GIRL)
year:

2006

genre:

picture book, 36 p.

publisher:

De Eenhoorn, Wielsbeke

illustrator:
Isabelle Vandenabeele
age:

8+, grown ups
rights sold:
French (Éditions du Rouergue)
Spanish (Spain) (Barbara Fiore)

Another text that I wrote to already-existing images by Isabelle Vandenabeele. It's her variation of the classical tale about Bluebeard, more suited for grown-ups maybe, or for kids that like to shiver: one day Louise realises that her life has become boring. She used to be a horror-loving girl, who dared anything and who adored bad boys, like Rotten Boy. Louise wants to do something exciting and goes to Shiver Forest. When she is attacked by a wolf, Rotten Boy rescues her. He takes her to his castle and then leaves her alone. He forbids her to open some of the doors, but of course a horror girl never obeys. This way, Louise discovers that Rotten Boy collects women heads. She can leave the castle just in time and sets a trap for Rotten Boy.

RED RED RED RIDING HOOD

ROOD ROOD ROODKAPJE (RED RED RED RIDING HOOD)
year:

2003

genre:

picture book, 32 p.

publisher:

De Eenhoorn, Wielsbeke

illustrator:
Isabelle Vandenabeele
age:

6+
awards:
Vlag en Wimpel 2004 (Honorary mention Best books for children)
Zilveren Penseel 2004 (for the illustrations)
Plantin Moretusprize 2004 (for the bookdesign)
rights sold:
French (Édtions du Rouergue)

This variation of the Red Riding Hood fairytale was already fully illustrated by Isabelle Vandenabeele, and after that I was asked to write the text to her strong version. The fairytale now is all about learning when to say no, and fighting back when danger comes your way. Since the colour red is already emphasized in the title: expect some blood! At first I thought the book might come off as too strong, but over the years it has become a favourite of many schoolgroups that I visit - and the scary parts apparently make (some of) them laugh a lot.