Antonius Otto Hermannus (Toon) Tellegen is a Dutch writer, poet, and physician. Born in Brielle on 18 November 1941, he is best known for his children’s books featuring anthropomorphised animals, especially stories about an ant and a squirrel. Tellegen’s work is also enjoyed by adults for its amusing, bizarre situations and philosophical themes. He was a finalist for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006 for his lasting contribution to children’s literature.
Toon Tellegen studied medicine at the University of Utrecht and worked as a general practitioner in Amsterdam. Initially, he wrote mainly for adults. His first children’s book, Er ging geen dag voorbij, appeared in 1984: a collection of forty-nine tales about the squirrel and other animals. These stories often feature the ant and squirrel in lead roles and explore philosophical concepts through animal characters.
Over his career, Tellegen has received several awards. In 1969, he won the ANV-Visser Neerlandia-prijs for Als moeder ergens ziek van wordt. He earned the Gouden Griffel in 1988 for Toen niemand iets te doen had and again in 1994 for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen.
He also won the Woutertje Pieterse Prijs twice, in 1992 for Juffrouw Kachel and in 1994 for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen. Other honours include the Jan Campertprijs (1993), Theo Thijssen-prijs (1997), and the Constantijn Huygensprijs (2007), all for his complete works.
Tellegen’s books have been translated into English and published internationally. Boxer Books released collections such as Letters to Anyone and Everyone (2009), which won the Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation. His poetry and prose include works like Raafvogels (Raptors), which won the Popescu Prize in 2011.
Toon Tellegen continues to write today.
Toon Tellegen studied medicine at the University of Utrecht and worked as a general practitioner in Amsterdam. Initially, he wrote mainly for adults. His first children’s book, Er ging geen dag voorbij, appeared in 1984: a collection of forty-nine tales about the squirrel and other animals. These stories often feature the ant and squirrel in lead roles and explore philosophical concepts through animal characters.
Over his career, Tellegen has received several awards. In 1969, he won the ANV-Visser Neerlandia-prijs for Als moeder ergens ziek van wordt. He earned the Gouden Griffel in 1988 for Toen niemand iets te doen had and again in 1994 for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen.
He also won the Woutertje Pieterse Prijs twice, in 1992 for Juffrouw Kachel and in 1994 for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen. Other honours include the Jan Campertprijs (1993), Theo Thijssen-prijs (1997), and the Constantijn Huygensprijs (2007), all for his complete works.
Tellegen’s books have been translated into English and published internationally. Boxer Books released collections such as Letters to Anyone and Everyone (2009), which won the Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation. His poetry and prose include works like Raafvogels (Raptors), which won the Popescu Prize in 2011.
Toon Tellegen continues to write today.
years of life: 18 November 1941 – present
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