Jef Aerts (born 26 May 1972) is a Belgian writer of children’s and youth literature.
Life and career After publishing four novels, poetry and theater, (in Dutch). De Digitale Bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse Letteren. Retrieved 21 January 2020. Jef Aerts has been writing for young readers since 2012.“Overtuigend jeugddebuut van Jef Aerts”. De Morgen (in Dutch, Belgian newspaper). 29 September 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
For the picture book Bigger than a Dream he worked with the Swedish-Dutch illustrator Marit Törnqvist. In 2014 this book was awarded the Book Lion (Boekenleeuw, prize for the best Dutch-language children's book).“Jef Aerts wint Boekenleeuw” . De Standaard (in Dutch, Belgian newspaper). 30 March 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
Jef Aerts received four Zilveren Griffel awards: for Bigger than a Dream, Fish don’t melt, The Blue Wings and Robber's Cub (illustrated by Martijn van der Linden).“Negen kinderboeken onderscheiden met Zilveren Griffels”. NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch, newspaper). 26 June 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2020.“Twee broers in het spoor van een kraanvogeljong”. NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch, newspaper). 12 July 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
Aerts’ children’s and youth books have been translated and sold in more than 18 languages,. Translation Database Dutch Foundation for Literature. Search author “Jef Aerts”. Retrieved 15 May 2025. including English, German, Swedish, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Persian.. Flanders Literature. Search books & authors “Jef Aerts”. Retrieved 23 January 2020. His work is nominated for the international Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.
Jef Aerts lives and writes in a small farm close to Leuven."De ruimte en rust vind ik hier fantastisch". De Morgen (in Dutch, Belgian newspaper). 29 juni 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
Works (selection) The Little Paradise (Het kleine paradijs, 2012) Bigger than a Dream (Groter dan een droom, 2013) Fish don’t Melt (Vissen smelten niet, 2013) Horse in Boots (Paard met laarzen, 2015) Cherry Blossom and Paper Planes (Kersenhemel, 2017) The Blue Wings (De blauwe vleugels, 2018) Every Day Someone Else (Elke dag iemand anders, 2020) Ronke's Night (De nacht van Ronke, 2021) Robber's Cub (Roversjong, 2024)
Awards and nominations (selection)
2014: Zilveren griffel, Groter dan een droom 2014: White Raven, Groter dan een droom 2014: Boekenleeuw, Groter dan een droom 2014: Zilveren Griffel, Vissen smelten niet 2018: Vlag en Wimpel, Kersenhemel 2019: Zilveren Griffel, De blauwe vleugels 2020: Laureate IBBY Honour List, De blauwe vleugels 2024: Finalist Premio Strega Ragazze e Raggazi, Groter dan een droom 2025: Zilveren Griffel, Roversjong Nomination Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026
References
External links
Jef Aerts · dbnl (in Dutch), Digital Library for Dutch Literature Jef Aerts (in English), Flanders Literature