Catharina Valckx – författare

Six linked stories full of friendship, silliness, and the little moments that make life goodBruno, the cat in the checkered cap, takes life as it comes. When it's too rainy to go outside, his friends come around for breakfast. When a fish invites him into the river, he follows it. Why not! When the canary forgets how to talk, Bruno helps out.Days come and go, and for Bruno they always bring something interesting. And once in a while, a day comes along that is just about perfect!

Achille LeBlab, special correspondent, knocks at Zanzibar’s door. He wants to write an article about an exceptional character. Is Zanzibar exceptional? The lizard seems to doubt it. “Aside from your poetic name, I’m afraid you’re a very ordinary crow.” That night Zanzibar decides: “I haven’t done anything remarkable yet, but it’s never too late!” He comes up with an idea for an incredible feat. First he must find a camel...

One day Lisette finds a pretty green sock. She’s delighted, until some bullies begin to tease her: socks should come in pairs; what use is one sock? Lisette searches and searches, but she cannot find the sock’s missing mate. Fortunately, her friend Bert helps her see the situation in a new way. And together they come upon the perfect solution in this ingenious story about how socks, like friends, don't have to come in pairs.

One day Lisette finds a pretty green sock. She’s delighted, until some bullies begin to tease her: socks should come in pairs; what use is one sock? Lisette searches and searches, but she cannot find the sock’s missing mate. Fortunately, her friend Bert helps her see the situation in a new way. And together they come upon the perfect solution in this ingenious story about how socks, like friends, don't have to come in pairs.

Lisette and her friend Bobbi the lizard have never told a lie. But they are eager to try—it might be fun! They tell Popof they are going for a trip to the mountains. When Popof decides to come too, they realize they’ll have to make the mountain. A liar needs to improvise.In this funny story about imaginative play with friends, Lisette’s creativity and quick thinking make for a wonderful day out. Lisette’s Lie gently explores the differences between storytelling and lies and the importance of good intentions.

A springtime fresh picture book about a good day out with friends—climbing mountains, swimming and singing—and the difference between storytelling and lies.Lisette and her friend Bobbi the lizard have never told a lie. But they are eager to try—it might be fun! They tell Popof they are going for a trip to the mountains. When Popof decides to come too, they realize they’ll have to make the mountain. A liar needs to improvise.In this funny story about imaginative play with friends, Lisette’s creativity and quick thinking make for a wonderful day out. Gently exploring the differences between storytelling and little white lies and the importance of good intentions, this picture book is ideal to read aloud with preschoolers. With illustrations that convey a range of mood and emotion, the animal friends are brimming with personality and childlike playfulness."... delightfully droll. Her characters may have feathers, a tail and a trunk, but they sound and act like children we know."—The New York TimesCatharina Valckx was born in the Netherlands and grew up in France with four sisters. She traveled back and forth between the two countries before settling down in Amsterdam. She started writing books for children after the birth of her son. Her books are like guides for a happy life."Valckx has a writing style that seems to revel in obliqueness and gentle surrealism."—Financial TimesOther books from Catharina Valckx:Lisette’s Green SockZanzibarBruno Praise for Lisette’s Green Sock"... delightfully droll. Her characters may have feathers, a tail and a trunk, but they sound and act like children we know…There is a fable-like quality to the story — though, unlike Aesop, Valckx turns the moral on its head."—The New York TimesPraise for Lisette’s Green Sock"Utterly simple and springtime fresh, this French import tells of a charming little bird whose fashion sense, like that of many young children, is decidedly unconventional. Valckx conveys an impressive range of mood and action through spare, swooping brushstrokes, and pale tones of lemon, mint, and sky blue allow the kelly green of the sock to draw the eye instantly. A hilarious postscript to the story's main action will give children a laugh for the road."—Booklist, starred review"Valckx's droll caricatures, executed in watercolor, are brimming with personality. Adept at understatement, the illustrator uses spare backgrounds and strong outlines to convey a mood in a minimum of strokes: dejected shoulders, a wilted flower, a coquettish kerchief on Mama speak volumes."—School Library Journal, starred review"Even in this seemingly simple story, Valckx imbues Lisette’s discovery of the green sock with greater meaning: why should we conform to traditional ideas of how things are meant to be when we can find joy in ways we never imagined."—INIS Magazine

Billy fyller år och ska ha maskerad. Men plötsligt är Jean-Claudes lillebror Didrik försvunnen. Han har blivit kidnappad av gamen Jack som också fyller år.  Kan Didrik och maskeraden räddas? Hur ska Billy lösa detta?   Billys födelsedagsmaskerad är i fara. Iklädd hatt, hölster och stora drömmar ger han sig ut på äventyr med sina bästa vänner. Med humor, ett gott hjärta och en rejäl dos mod klarar Billy det mesta!

Billy hittar sin morfars gamla skattkarta och Jean Claude som är en daggmask förstår direkt att skatten finns under jord. De två vännerna ger sig ut på skattjakt, men det visar sig knepigare än väntat. En stor spindel och en trasig pannlampa sätter käppar i hjulet för skattsökarna. Men så möter de en gammal mullvad som kände Billys morfar. Och det visar sig att hon har suttit på skatten i evigheter utan att veta om det. Äntligen ska de få veta vad som gömts i många, långa år. Kommer de blir rika? Billy och hans vänner förstår att det som är värdefullt inte alltid innebär guld och juveler. Det mest värdefulla som finns kanske kan vara musik och att njuta tillsammans med sina vänner!