The Netherlands - Children's Books

The Netherlands is safe and family-friendly with so much to see and do in all seasons... canal walks and boat rides, bicycling, tulip fields, and more. For those who love Gouda cheese, visiting the town of Gouda is really fun, especially during the Gouda cheese market days.

Do you know of any other children’s books featuring The Netherlands? Please feel free to note it in a comment below!

Children's A to Z Books about The Netherlands

The ABCs of Amsterdam: A first guide to the capital of the Netherlands: Welcome to Amsterdam, capital of The Netherlands!  This city is known around the world for its bridges, canals, and bikes, but it is also home to famous people, unique food, and hundreds of playgrounds. Are you ready to discover this unique city—one letter at the time?   Fact- and fun-filled and with 26 bright, hand-painted illustrations, The ABCs of Amsterdam, the first of the City ABC Books series, is a playful introduction to the city and its culture and history for young readers who are visiting or moving to Amsterdam.

Children's Books about Dutch Folk Tales and Fairy Tales

Dutch Fairy Tales for Young Folks
This collection of traditional myths and legends from Holland sings with the spirit of that charming land, and delves into its culture to illuminate the nation's sprightly personality. First published in 1918, it features a bewitching selection of fairy tales: The Entangled Mermaid, The Boy Who Wanted More Cheese, The Elves and Their Antics, The Legend of the Wooden Shoe, The Curly-Tailed Lion, Santa Klaas and Black Pete, The Goblins Turned to Stone, and many more.  Children and adults alike will continue to find this a delightful read today. Collected and written by American author, educator, and theologian William Elliot Griffis who spent considerable time in the Netherlands.

The Boy Who Held Back the Sea: From the award-winning and renowned illustrator Thomas Locker, beautiful oil-painted illustrations pair with this wonderful retelling of the traditional Dutch folktale.   Jan had never done anything more heroic than shout for the guard because he’d imagined he’d seen a sea serpent. But when Jan discovered water trickling through a desolate stretch of the dike that protected his low-lying village, he knew he had to act fast.

Wynken, Blynken, & Nod: Eugene Field's classic bedtime poem—about three children’s adventures sailing in a wooden shoe—is brought to life with Johanna Westerman's vivid illustrations of Dutch landscapes.

The Boy at the Dike: A Dutch Folktale (Folktales from Around the World): Readers learn how one child can make a difference when a young boy saves a village by plugging a hole in a dike with his finger. When Peter returns home one night from visiting his friend, he finds a hole in the dike.

Children's Books about Amsterdam

Pedal Power: How One Community Became the Bicycle Capital of the World: Pedal Power is a nonfiction picture book about the women and children who led the social movement that made Amsterdam the most bike-friendly city in the world!  Cycling rules the road in Amsterdam today, but that wasn't always the case. In the 1970's, Amsterdam was so crowded with vehicles that bicyclists could hardly move, but moms and kids relied on their bicycles to get around the city.  PEDAL POWER is the story of the people who led protests against the unsafe streets and took over a vehicles-only tunnel on their bikes, showing what a little pedal power could do! Author and illustrator Allan Drummond returns with the story of the people that paved the way for safe biking around the world.

KeeKee's Big Adventures in Amsterdam, Netherlands: Explorers…climb aboard and join KeeKee, the globe-trotting calico kitty, on her latest adventure. Hoera! It's Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Part bedtime story, part travel guide, this colorfully illustrated book is sure to delight explorers big and small with an unforgettable journey through the land of tulips, windmills, and waterways.  Together with KeeKee and Jasper the Lion, readers cruise the canals, cycle around the city, and take a tasting tour of town. It's a jam-packed adventure with everything you must do in Amsterdam.  In the back, you'll find a kid-friendly map, a glossary of Dutch words, and more on KeeKee's Amsterdam favorites.  It's the perfect getaway for kids and families who love travel and adventure.

Mission Amsterdam: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure: Mission Amsterdam takes your young travelers through the famous sights of the Dutch capital, engaging them with an exciting scavenger hunt as you explore city landmarks together. Say 'tot ziens' (goodbye) to a trip filled with the stress of keeping everyone entertained. Instead, say 'hallo' (hello) to a memorable vacation, with your kids actively engaged in exploring the landmarks of Amsterdam with you.

Children's Books about the Netherlands

[Mama Traveler Recommended!] The Hole in the Dike: A retelling of the familiar story, originally by Mary Mapes Dodge, about the little Dutch boy who saves his country's fields and homes from the sea. Illustrations are by Eric Carle.

Holland: Holland – a land full of surprises, strange traditions, free-spirited people and a rich history.  Charlotte Dematons, known for her well-loved picture book The Yellow Balloon, grew up in France, but moved to the Netherlands to study art as so many have before her. With the eye of an outsider but a warm heart for the country that became her new home, Charlotte Dematons paints with a keen eye for the detail for everything that makes The Netherlands so Dutch.  It's easy to see how New York was first New Amsterdam when delving into modern-day Holland. The idiosyncrasies that make Holland so unique are revealed: from pensionada in unisex rain jackets on their bikes to a grandmother with her walker, skating on the ice, between the scenes of Avercamp, Bruegel and Bosch – and of course the multicultural Dutch society revealed and celebrated with wit and warmth.

A Thousand Things about Holland: This companion paperback to the wordless picture book Holland (above) explains all the  details of every amazing picture, making this book  an armchair travel guide for  anyone already fond of this small country of tulips, windmills  and so much more. A Thousand
 Things About Holland explains all the details of every amazing picture, making this book both an I Spy book and an armchair travel guide for anyone already fond of this small country of tulips, windmills and so much more.

The Cow Who Fell in the Canal: Hendrika is bored with life on the farm and longs to see the city she has heard so much about. One day her wish comes true in the most surprising way and life in the fields is never dull again.

Katje the Windmill Cat: This heroic tale was inspired by a true story that took place over 500 years ago. It tells of Katje the windmill cat who lives happily with Nico, the miller, in a Dutch village by the sea. By day, Katje chases mice in the windmill; by night, she sleeps on a soft pillow on Nico's bed. Then Nico brings home his bride, Lena, and everything changes. Katje is shooed away by Lena as she sweeps the house or when she finds Katje playing with the new baby. Eventually poor Katje leaves her home and moves into the windmill. But when a storm breaks the dike that holds back the sea, Katje performs a feat of extraordinary courage that makes her forever welcome in the house.

Hana in the Time of the Tulips: With stunning artwork reminiscent of Rembrandt, this tender tale harks back to the days of tulip fever to illuminate the enduring love between father and child.  Hana and her father used to love to walk in the garden in the evening and play their favorite game — the one where Hana is a Renowned Physician and Papa pretends to faint dead away on the bench. But ever since tulip fever struck Holland, Hana's father has been consumed by greed. Soon he is too busy to walk in the garden or kiss Hana good night or even realize how lovely the tulips are. Even worse, the tulip market is crashing, and now Papa is falling into despair. It's up to Hana — with a little help from the painter Rembrandt, a family friend — to find a way to remind her father of what's truly valuable and bring him back to his family. Luxurious illustrations by virtuoso painter Bagram Ibatoulline bring seventeenth-century Holland to life in this poignant portrait of the persistence of love.

The Great Tulip Trade (Step into Reading): Anna’s father gives her the most wonderful present for her birthday—eight beautiful tulips! But tulips in Holland in the 1600s are more precious than gold or jewels, and everyone who walks by the house wants to trade her for one!

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion (Knuffle Bunny Series #3): Trixie and her family are off on a fantastic trip to visit her grandparents—all the way to Holland! But does Knuffle Bunny have different travel plans?  An emotional tour de force, Knuffle Bunny Free concludes one of the most beloved picture-book series in recent memory, with pitch-perfect text and art, photos from around the world, and a stunning foldout spread, culminating in a hilarious and moving surprise that no child or parent will be able to resist.  Bestselling, award-winning author Mo Willems has created an epic love story as only he can, filled with the joys and sadness of growing up—and the unconditional love that binds a father, mother, daughter, and a stuffed bunny.

When the Dikes Broke: Everyone knew that a tile roof was a precarious perch. Everyone saw, too, that the steadily rising water had reached a corner of the attic floor near the stairway and was beginning to spread, slowly but surely, toward them.   Based on the great flood that swept over Holland in 1953, the gripping story When the Dikes Broke follows the tale of the van Rossem family as they are awakened by sirens and the clanging of church bells and soon realize that the dikes have broken. As the water rises to their roof, the family is separated, and a desperate and daring search is set in place for those who have been swept away. This adventurous story is packed with educational and moral value. 

Windmill De Kat: Netherlands (Global Kids Storybooks): The Netherlands is a low-lying country with some land below sea level. People have fought back the sea to increase fertile land, and windmills have been part of this effort to reclaim land for farming. The windmill in this story produces dye for clothing.

Miffy At The Zoo: Father Bunny takes Miffy to the zoo - they see parrots, monkeys and a zebra. Miffy even gets to sit on the back of a giant tortoise! Award-winning UK poet, Tony Mitton, has worked closely with Dick Bruna's Dutch publisher to create new translations for the classic Miffy stories that are true to the books' original voice, and yet have a contemporary feel to the language that makes them appealing to the modern young audience. The translations beautifully convey the warmth and friendliness of the original Dutch whilst maintaining a style that is inimitably Miffy. [Mama Traveler Note: This is the first Miffy book that was published in 1955. Miffy was one of the inspirations for Hello Kitty. Miffy is a fictional rabbit appearing in a series of picture books drawn and written by Dutch artist Dick Bruna. The original Dutch name, "Nijntje", is a shortening of the diminutive konijntje, "little rabbit". Read more]

Miffy in the Netherlands: This is the Netherlands, the country where Miffy lives. In this book, Miffy takes you on a journey around some famous landmarks. Where was Miffy born and in which city does Dick Bruna live? Enjoy exploring with Miffy!

A Wooden Shoe for Nell: Poppy the Dog has watched her puppies grow up. Poppy wants each of her pups to explore traditions around the world. Poppy has a bag of magical charms. In each book Poppy gives one of the charms to a puppy. Once placed on their collar, the charm takes the pup to a family who is preparing for their special occasion.    In this book, Puppy Nell is given a magical wooden shoe charm. It whisks her off to Holland where a welcoming family shows her how they prepare for Saint Nicholas Day. As Nell participates in their fun festivities, she begins to wonder what the shoe charm means. Join the pup on her adventure to see if she finds out.

The Greatest Skating Race: A World War II Story from the Netherlands: In 1941 Piet, a young Dutch boy from Sluis, gets the assignment of a lifetime: He must skate along the frozen canals of the Netherlands and across the Belgian border, in order to guide two neighborhood children to their aunt's house in Brugge, where the children will remain for the duration of World War II. Their father has been taken by German soldiers, and the children are no longer safe in Sluis -- but the journey with Piet, past soldiers and enemies, is fraught with danger. Along the treacherous path to Belgium the three children skate using every bit of speed, courage, and strength they can muster. All the time they try to appear like innocent schoolchildren simply out for a skate, for if the German soldiers discover their escape plan, the children will be in grave trouble. During the journey Piet thinks about his hero, Pim Mulier -- the first person to ever skate the Elfstedentocht, the famous and prestigious Eleven Towns Race that takes place in his country. For years Piet has dreamed of proving that he is a skater as brave and strong as Pim Mulier -- but he had never imagined that his test would fall under such dangerous circumstances. Louise Borden's moving text captures all the tension, excitement, and fear that comes with Piet's mission, while Niki Daly's evocative illustrations bring the children and their perilous journey into vivid focus.

Children's Books about Anne Frank

The Diary of a Young Girl: Anne Frank's diary is not just a true story but also a piece of history. Written by Anne Frank for herself, at the age of 13, the diary contains candid and intimate details of Annes thoughts and feelings during the two years of the Second World War she and her family and friends stayed hidden in the Netherlands. Anne and her family were eventually arrested and sent to the concentration camps, but her diary remains a testament of youthful experiences in times of war. Mama Traveler Note: The original text by 13-year-old Anne Frank.

The Cat Who Lived With Anne Frank: Told through the warm lens of a beloved pet, The Cat Who Lived with Anne Frank captures the life of a young girl filled with promise in a way that young readers can appreciate and understand. When Mouschi the cat goes with his boy, Peter, to a secret annex, he meets a girl named Anne. Bright, kind and loving, Anne dreams of freedom and of becoming a writer whose words change the world. But Mouschi, along with Anne and her family and friends, must stay hidden, hoping for the war to end and for a better future.

I am Anne Frank (Ordinary People Change the World): The 22nd book in the New York Times bestselling series of biographies about heroes tells the story of Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl who documented her life while hiding from the Nazis during World War II. (Cover may vary)  This engaging biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos. This volume features Anne Frank, whose courage and hope during a time of terror are still an inspiration for people around the world today. While Anne and her family hid in an attic during the Holocaust, she kept a journal about all her hopes and fears and observations. That journal and the story of her life are still read and told today to remember the life of a young girl and warn against the consequences of bigotry.

Anne Frank (Inspired Inner Genius): Anne Frank’s story is a moving tale of a young girl who believed in the best of humanity, despite having lived in a time where she was a victim of humanity’s worst - war and persecution. Amidst her insufferable circumstances, her optimistic hope for a better future, as well as her belief in the fundamental good in people, continues to inspire people young and old alike to see the beauty within the suffering.

Anne Frank (Little People, BIG DREAMS): In this book from the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Anne Frank, the writer whose diary captured the hearts of the public.  Anne Frank was born in Germany to a loving family. But when World War II broke out, Anne and her family had to hide in a secret annex in Amsterdam. Here, Anne wrote her famous diary, describing her belief in people's goodness and her hopes for peace. After the war, her diary captured the hearts of the public and she became one of the most important diarists of the 20th century. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of Anne's life.

Who Was Anne Frank?: In her amazing diary, Anne Frank revealed the challenges and dreams common for any young girl. But Hitler brought her childhood to an end and forced her and her family into hiding. Who Was Anne Frank? looks closely at Anne’s life before the secret annex, what life was like in hiding, and the legacy of her diary. Black-and-white illustrations including maps and diagrams provide historical and visual reference in an easy-to-read biography written in a way that is appropriate and accessible for younger readers.

Children's Books about Famous Dutch People and Famous People in the Netherlands

William the Silent of the Netherlands: A Tale for Tiny Travellers (Tales for Tiny Travellers): Witness the birth of the Netherlands as we know it in this inspiring picture book about William, Prince of Orange, who gave everything in his fight to build an independent, tolerant nation. This Tale for Tiny Travellers features 11 full-colour illustrations designed to introduce young children to real-world landmarks and characters. It also includes a handy destination guide to help families visit key elements of the story in person.

Meet Rembrandt van Rijn (Meet the Artist): Art is everywhere. Whether you are sitting in a library or walking around the city, you will find examples of art all over. But how do you know when something is art? How is one piece different from the next? In Meet Rembrandt van Rijn, you will meet an expert sketcher. Who better to explain the process of underdrawing than Rembrandt? What can he teach you about self-portraits and dramatic paintings? Then, you can practice sketching and outlining for yourself!

Rembrandt and the Boy Who Drew Dogs: A story about Rembrandt van Rijn: 
Author Molly Blaisdell transports young readers to the city of Amsterdam in the 1650s. It is a time when world-renowned artist Rembrandt van Rijn is at the height of fame among his patrons--and when his young son Titus longs to imitate his father and become a great painter. At first, Rembrandt rebuffs Titus's attempts at drawing, telling the boy he is too young to learn art. But gradually, the master painter is won over by his son's enthusiasm and persistence, and he begins to teach a very happy Titus the basic techniques of drawing from life. Here is a warmhearted story for children, with illustrations that capture the atmosphere of seventeenth-century Holland and suggest some of the genius that radiates from Rembrandt's own magnificent paintings.

Meet Johannes Vermeer (Meet the Artist): In Meet Johannes Vermeer, you will consider these questions with a master of oil painting. Who better to show you how to draw the bends and folds in fabric than the son of a weaver? Can you find the glossy details in his paintings? Then, you can layer oil paints to create your own scenes!

Anna and Johanna: A Children's Book Inspired by Jan Vermeer (Children's Books Inspired by Famous Artworks): This delightful tale about two young friends in 17th-century Holland is inspired by Vermeer's two masterpieces, The Milkmaid and The Lacemaker.  Although one is the daughter of a wealthy Dutch family and the other a household servant, Anna and Johanna become friends. Born on the same day, they celebrate their joint birthdays by making gifts for each other. But then a letter arrives that changes their lives forever. Told against the backdrop of the 17th-century Dutch city of Delft and its thriving commercial and artistic culture, this story of an unlikely friendship echoes the themes of Vermeer's luminous depiction of domestic life. Florence Koenig's brightly colored illustrations evoke Vermeer's style through the city's multifaceted landscapes, from misty mornings by the canals to busy households preparing for a special day. Young readers will be fascinated by this uplifting story of friendship inspired by Jan Vermeer.

The Hero of Little Street: Narrowly escaping from a gang of bullies, a boy slips into a grand old gallery--the perfect hiding place, full of mystery and treasures. Suddenly, a painting comes to life and the boy finds himself on an adventure led by a mischievous dog that has leapt from the canvas. The two slip into a Vermeer painting and are transported to Little Street, Delft in seventeenth-century Holland, where the boy has to use every ounce of his ingenuity to rescue his new friend from an untimely fate.

Vermeer's Daughter: In this richly imagined novel based on the life of seventeenth-century painter, Johannes Vermeer, Barbara Shoup evokes the artist's world through the eyes of his favorite daughter. Willful, dreamy, not-beautiful Carelina Vermeer is a trial to her wealthy Grandmother Thins, whose efforts to make her into a proper young lady are a constant source of tension in a large, loving, but quarrelsome family. Then, early one morning, she follows her sister to a house on the harbor where he is preparing to paint his masterpiece, "View of Delft," and her real life begins.

Meet Vincent van Gogh (Meet the Artist): Art is everywhere. Whether you are sitting in a library or walking around the city, you will find examples of art all over. But how do you know when something is art? How is one piece different from the next? In Meet Vincent van Gogh, you will meet an expert in inventing new kinds of art. Who better to teach you about bright colors and curvy lines than Vincent van Gogh? Can you trace his swoops and curls? Then, you can mix colors and make your own doodles!

Vincent van Gogh: He saw the world in vibrant colors (What the Artist Saw): See the world through Vincent van Gogh's eyes and be inspired to produce your own masterpieces.  Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this charming illustrated series, created in full collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw, and be inspired to create your own artworks, too. In the pages of this book, What the Artist Saw: Vincent van Gogh, meet famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. Step into his life and learn what led him to paint his eye-catching self-portraits. See the landscapes that inspired his famous Wheat Fields. Have a go at painting your own sunflowers!

Katie and the Sunflowers: Join Katie as she steps into some of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure! Katie would love to grow her own flowers, so when she sees some seeds in Van Gogh's Sunflowers masterpiece she can't resist reaching in and grabbing some ...Mimi, a little girl from a painting nearby, comes to help, but when Mimi's dog Zazou comes too disaster follows! 

Katie and the Starry Night: Join Katie as she steps into some of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure!  The stars in Vincent van Gogh's painting are so beautiful that Katie can't resist reaching in and taking one. But what will she do when all the other stars come tumbling out of the painting, too? Will Katie be able to catch the stars before the gallery guard notices they've floated away?

Meet Piet Mondrian (Meet the Artist): Art is everywhere. Whether you are sitting in a library or walking around the city, you will find examples of art all over. But how do you know when something is art? How is one piece different from the next? In Meet Piet Mondrian, you will meet a pioneer in abstract art. Who better to show you the delights of playing with squares and colors? How will he change the way you think about art? Then, balance geometric shapes and create art for yourself!

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