Wally de Doncker

 

 

 

 

Wally De Doncker at the Verbeke Foundation © M. Weyn.

 

 

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WALLY DE DONCKER’S BOOKS

 

 

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

 

Wally de Doncker was born on May 19 1958 in the Flemish town of Tielt in northern Belgium.  Today, he lives with his family in Hamme, another small Flemish community where he can be reached by email wally.de.doncker@telenet.be

 

One of his main aims is to bring children and literature closer together. Wally de Doncker again and again tackles themes which are scarcely touched upon in contemporary children’s literature. His books have received numerous nominations and selections. In addition several of his works have been adapted as stage play and musical, film animation and dance film. (© International Literatur Festival Berlin 2009)

 

He works together with different famous Belgian composers.

 

Wally de Doncker began writing full-time in 2001 and since then, his books have been brought to readers in more than twelve countries in Europe and beyond.

 

Different museums draw attention to his books:  In 2009 the Children’s Museum Labryrinth (Berlin) has focused on  ‘Ahum’ and the Dutch Children’s Books Museum (The Hague, 2010- 2016) on ‘It Starts Somewhere’.

 

‘I Miss Myself ‘(Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas) was focus of attention in France during the exhibitions ‘Moi et les autres’ (Nantes, 2009) and ‘Vivant pour des vrai’ (Centre François Mitterand, Villeneuve d’Asq, 2009-2010).

 

From 2003 to 2009 he was a member of the editorial board of the critical journal of children's literature, The Lion and the Unicorn which is published in the United States of America.

 

During the 31th General Assembly of IBBY in Copenhagen (September 10, 2008) he was elected to serve as EC-member of IBBY for the period 2008-2010. He was re-elected to the EC at the 32^nd IBBY General Assembly in Santiago de Compostela and serves as Vice President 2010-2012.

 

In 2011 he has accepted to be the godfather of the Reading Marathons  (MS Federation Flanders)

 

Wally de Doncker has become a frequent contributor to publications that deal with the international dimension of children’s literature, and is a regular guest in libraries, schools and other settings where children and adults come to enjoy his readings. On these occasions, he particularly appreciates the opportunity to experience first-hand the responses that his work generates among the young people for whom he writes.

 

Wally de Doncker has served as a special teacher of children’s literature in a Flemish college and is the founder of Leesdraak (Reading Dragon, 1996), a pre-reading and reading method for very young children.

 

A short biography of Wally de Doncker  in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children’s Literature

 

U.S.A. Lissa Paul in Children’s Literature about De Doncker’s books Ahum and I Miss Myself   

Lectures, readings and workshops:

 

Wally de Doncker lectures on:

·  ‘The Mission of IBBY’ : The history and the mission of IBBY International, Jella Lepman, Eleanor Roosevelt, IBBY Awards, IBBY Yamada Workshops, Children in Crisis, International Children’s Books Day, authoritarian regimes and the danger of children’s literature, the future of IBBY…

• ‘Contemporary Themes in My Books’
• ‘Touching and Talking, The Big Taboos’

·     ‘My books with Philosophical Themes’

 

 

Contact : wally.de.doncker@telenet.be

 

 

He was a guest speaker at the:

University of Roehampton

IBBY Conference in Lingen  

American International School of Brussels

University of Ghent

Salon du Livre de Jeunesse, Namur

IBBY World Congress in Copenhagen

International Literature Festival Berlin …

 

Contact via fax at +32 52 474009 or via email at wally.de.doncker@telenet.be

 

NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary
The Swedish 6 is rather naked.

7 is always pretty.

8 plays chess on the dance floor.

At 10 o’clock EVERYTHING starts.

All numbers dance against the clock. Just like us.

 

In this book you read stories about digits and numbers you have never heard before.  Do you know why the sun can’t kiss and how chess pieces dance? Why your thumb dreams of 5 and why 9 is bigger than thousand?

Digits and numbers are everywhere and always. With the aid of this book you get to know them through and through. Meet the rare but indispensable 1, the playful 4 and the iron-strong 9.

 

WALLY DE DONCKER has a passion for child and youth literature. His books have been translated a lot and also adapted to short film and theatre. Previously he published from A to Zet a playful depiction of the letters of the alphabet. In From 12 to 1, Wally De Doncker turns his attention to numbers through funny and playful texts. Together with the illustrations of Jurgen Walschot and the fun music of Florejan Verschueren, the numbers come to life.

 

 

Experimental animation film: B

with the voice of the writer himself.

(Book: From A to  Z, Davidsfonds/ Infodok, Leuven (Belgium) 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denmark:

 

 

‘Animal talk’ published in Danish

(Turbine Forlaget, 2011)

 

 

 

The Netherlands:

 

‘It Starts Somewhere’ in

Dutch Children’s Books Museum (The Hague)

 

 

 

Spain:

 

Santiago (Spain): Wally de Doncker vice-president of IBBY

 

 

 

Germany:

 

MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN BERLIN

FOCUSES ON HIS BOOK ‘AHUM’

 

 Wally de Doncker guest at International Literature Festival Berlin (Berliner Festspiele)

 

 

 

Belgium:

 

 

‘I Miss Myself’ in Golden Owl Bookcase

 

TOP 20 Last Decade

 

 

On April 25, 2010 the public of the Belgian and Dutch Golden Owl Children’s Literature has announced its Top 20 of Best Books of the last decade on the Golden Owl Prize giving.

"I miss myself" has reached the thirteenth spot and even precedes some renowned Golden Owl winners. (May 1, 2010)

 

 

Italy (Bologna):

 

WHITE RAVENS 2010:

 

IT STARTS SOMEWHERE

(Dutch: HET BEGINT ERGENS)

 

 

 

 

NEW BOOK:

 

FROM A TO Z

This book is dedicated to Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belgian Contemporary Art inspires Wally de Doncker

 NEVER

(Dutch Title: Nooit, Kunstwerk(t) , Gent, 2009 )

 

Wally De Doncker’s story is surprising and challenging. Karolien Vanderstappen provides high-level illustrations.

(Artishock, Belgian magazine of art and culture)

 

 

De Doncker wrote a surprising and unusual story of Woman and her little dog Fala. The young illustrator Karolien Vanderstappen provides surrealistic illustrations. Children of all ages will be introduced in the world of Contemporary Art in a playful way. Never is the first book of a trilogy.

 

BELGIAN GOVERNMENT

 

During a book demonstration (July 8, 2009) the Belgian Minister of Climate Paul Magnette got Wally de Doncker’s book 'Het begint ergens' (It starts somewhere) from The Belgian Book Organisation (Boek.be) as his holiday reading.

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Nomination Flemish Children’s Jury Award

Praten met je staart (Talking with your tail)

Flemish Children’s Jury Award Nomination 2010

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FRANCE

 

 

Nelly Chabrol-Gagne underlines the importance of ‘Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas’ (I Miss Myself) in the academic book ‘Devenir adulte et rester enfant’ (Presses Univ Blaise Pascal)

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It starts somewhere

(Dutch title; Het begint ergens, Davidsfonds/Infodok, 2009, Leuven (Belgium)

 

 

theme: global warming

 

Twice a heavy storm wind raged through Wally de Doncker’s own garden. Spot and Mouse are close witnesses. When a storm carries on over your head, you all of a sudden look at life in a different way. It makes you think, consider, reflect anyway.

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IBBY Europe : First European Newsletter

 

 

The 31th General Assembly of IBBY was held in Copenhagen on 10 September 2008. The following people were elected to serve as officers of IBBY 2008-2010: Anastasia Arkipova (Russia), Elisa Bonilla Ruis (Mexico), Hannelore Daubert (Germany), Wally de Doncker (Belgium), Reina Duarte (Spain), Nikki Gamble (UK), Jehan Helou (Palestine), Redza Ahmad Khairuddin (Malaysia), James Tumusiime (Uganda), Zhang Mingzhou) and IBBY president Patsy Aldana (Canada)

 

FRENCH EXHIBITION

 

His book ‘Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas’ is focus of attention at the French exhibition Moi et les autres (Centre Bermond- Boquié- Nantes)

 

 

‘Het verhaal van O’ (The Story of O): Korean translation.

 

Wally de Doncker: seminar speaker at the IBBY World Congress in Copenhagen (September 6-10, 2008, Denmark). The title of his presentation: “Touching and talking: The Big Taboos”. More information: IBBY2008

 

Wally de Doncker: guest speaker at the University of Ghent (August 14, 2008).

 

Wally de Doncker and the Chinese student Lan Zhao reading aloud from the Chinese version of ‘I Wish I were a Doll’ (University Ghent (Belgium), 14 August 2008)

 

Nicolas Go, Doctor of Philosophy, discussed ‘Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas’ at length in the French literary magazine ‘Les actes de lecture’.

 

‘Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas’ at the French exhibition “Vivant pour de vrai” (Centre François Mitterand, Villeneuve d’Ascq, till February 2009)

 

Musical: IK BEN OP JOU: the first musical of Wally de Doncker. The composer is the famous Michel Bisceglia. Hugo Segers of the Flemish Opera is the director of the musical.

 

 

Trailer Musical : IK BEN OP JOU

(Words: Wally De Doncker, Music: Michel Bisceglia)

 

TV report showing rehearsal Wally De Doncker’s first musical

 

 

 

 

 

‘Ahum’ is a new cartoon film produced by the ‘Media and Design Academie’ (2007, Genk, Belgium) and is based on Wally de Doncker’s book ‘Ahum’. (Trailer)

Premiere in Germany October 19, 2007.

Premiere in Belgium: December 16, 2007.

Premiere in Denmark: September 9, 2008.

 

 

 

Tv report showing his new book ‘Talking with your tale’ (philosophising with children)

 

 

A SHORT JOURNEY AMONGST HIS BEST KNOWN BOOKS ... and their own journeys

                                 

Wally de Doncker’s books explore a variety of genres and storytelling techniques. They include animal stories (Chirrup, Said the Fish, 2005); realistic-contemporary stories (My Cousins are Wolves, 1998); philosophical stories (I Miss Myself, 2002), and science-fiction/fantasy (Ahum, 2000).

 

NEW PICTURE BOOK

 

THE STORY OF O

 

 

 

FIRST REVIEW:

 

Jewel of a picture book

 

A fascinating and stimulating book, like good philosophy should be (Guinevere Claeys , Knack Weekend, March 7,  2007)

 

I MISS MYSELF

 

 

 

Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas (Ed. Etre, Paris)

 

Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas (I Miss Myself) has been chosen as one of the 80 best children’s books of France (Flash 2003, La Joie par les Livres).

 

The French Association ARPLE (Association de Recherche et de Pratique sur le Livre pour Enfants) regards Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas to be one of the six most remarkable French children’s books of 2003!

 

Madeline Roth announced in the French periodical, ‘Citrouille’ (18/9/03) that Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas (I Miss Myself) is a jewel of Flemish children’s literature.

 

During the conference ‘Children’s Literature and Philosophy’ held in Orléans in May 2003, Evelyne Beauquier congratulated the French publisher, Christian Bruel for bringing Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas (I miss myself) to print in the French language.

 

Bernard Epin praised I Miss Myself (Vivre sans moi, je ne peux pas) in the French paper, l’Humanité and highlighted the ‘sense of humour of the author which accentuates the richness of this subtle story’.

 

I Miss Myself was the focus of discussion during the annual month of philosophy celebrated in the Dutch town of Groningen. (April 2004)

 

The theatre play of I Miss Myself, performed by the troupe, Le Mal du Siècle has enjoyed a huge success and the theatre company is now planning a third season in 2007. The play is based on the trilogy of picture books written by Wally de Doncker.  These include, Ahum, I Miss Myself, and Clouds in the Sand.  For more information, visit www.xlp.be .

 

Theatre play I MISS MYSELF poster

 

 

Sister without a Sister is a short film (art movie) produced by the dance company ‘The Cacao Bleu Collectief’ cacaobleu@hotmail.com  and is based on I Miss Myself.

The same company will go on tour with the dance workshop I Miss Myself throughout Belgium, France and The Netherlands.  More information: cacaobleu@hotmail.com

 

 

Art movie: Sister without a sister (Copyright Anoek Luyten)

 

 

GRUMPY GRANDPA

 

 

 

 

Grumpy Grandpa [Een Opa Met Gaatjes, 1996], which touches on the experience of Alzheimer’s disease amongst the elderly and those who love them, has enjoyed wide success across Europe.  Wally de Doncker has written a scenario for a film based on the book that has been nominated for the shortlist of Faits Divers by the Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF) and the Flemish Television Company (VTM).

 

The Flemish experts’ centres for Alzheimer’s disease have made the book the focus of study and attention during the 2006 Children’s Book Week.

 

 

Theatre play: Opa met gaatjes (Grumpy Grandpa) poster

 

‘Opa met gaatjes’ performed by  Zamzam Productions has enjoyed a huge success and the theatre company is now planning a fifth season in 2008.

 

In Denmark, Grumpy Grandpa was included on the recommended reading list of scientific literature on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The Danish publisher has labelled the book one of the best Belgian children’s books of the last few years.

 

 

CHIRRUP, SAID THE FISH

 

 

Chirrup, said the fish has been selected for inclusion in the 2005 edition of THE WHITE RAVENS.

This highly respected list, compiled by the International Youth Library in Munich, recognises books published internationally that are considered to be of note and which deal in an outstanding way with universal themes.  All titles are applauded for their exceptional and often innovative artistic and literary style and design.

 

 

I WISH I WERE A DOLL

 

 

I wish I were a doll (Chinese)

 

I Wish I Were a Doll appeared in Chinese with the Taiwanese publisher ‘3&3 International’. It was the first Belgian children’s book to be published in Chinese.

 

 

 EEN TOUWTJE NAAR DE MAAN (A STRING TO THE MOON)

 

 

Poster Theatre Play: ‘A STRING TO THE MOON’

 

A String to the Moon (Een touwtje naar de maan) has already been adapted for the theatre (produced by theatre company R.A.T. ). Second season in 2008!

 

International Recognition and Praise for the Author

 

The international anthology, Im Alphabet Durch Die Welt edited by Lioba Betten and published by Domino Verlag (Munich), includes Wally de Doncker and his interactive story, Wenn du lesen kannst, kannst du auch tanzen.

 

Rod McGillis, Professor of English at the University of Calgary, reviews Wally de Doncker’s books in the Australian book, Youth cultures: Texts, Images and Identities. (November 4, 2005)

 

In the American journal The Lion and the Unicorn of April 2005  Lissa Paul, Kimberley Reynolds and Wally de Doncker discuss  CLISS (The Children’s Literature International Summer School), held at Roehampton University, London.

 

In the article, ‘Reading is Sensual’, Wally de Doncker interviews the inspired French librarian, Marie Derrien in the Dutch magazine Leesgoed. Marie talks about her vision of children’s literature, her work as a librarian in the Lyon Public Library, her reading projects, radical picture books, and the sensual relationship that exists between the reader and the book. (December 20, 2004)

 

Wally de Doncker has published numerous other articles about reading and children’s literature in the Dutch magazine, Leesgoed.  These include an interview with Lissa Paul in London called, “Stories Change the Way we Think; a review of Reading Otherways; and an interview with Kim Reynolds titled, ‘It takes as much as a generation for the full potential of children’s books’.  Reynolds speaks with Wally de Doncker about range of topics including her favourite books as a child, the National Centre for Research in Children’s Literature, Seven Stories, censorship, fundamentalist movements and Philip Pullman, her book Modern Children’s Literature, gender stereotypes in Disney and H.C. Andersen, childhood death in literature for children, the commercialisation of children’s publishing, multicultural society, one-night stands between author and editor, and the role that children’s books play in critiquing society (November 7, 2005)

 

Wally de Doncker was a guest speaker at the ‘National Centre for Research in Children’s Literature’ in Roehampton. His subject: Contemporary Themes in My Picture Books.