Dutch children’s author Sjoerd Kuyper has won the Gouden Griffel 2026 for his book Little Moon moves the sea. Kuyper passed away two days ago at the age of 74, according to reporting by NOS. Kuyper’s family and grandchildren surprised the author last week with flowers, cake, and the news of the victory before he passed away.

Golden Griffel Award for Maantje verhuist de zee

The Gouden Griffel is an annual award for the best-written children’s book. The award jury praised Kuyper’s work for its literary quality, humor, warmth, creativity, and imagination, noting that the story treats children with complete seriousness and touches “head, heart, and imagination,” as reported by NOS.

Little Moon moves the sea follows a young girl named Maantje who writes a story for her seriously ill grandmother to cheer her up. After her grandmother dies, Maantje invents more stories to comfort herself and process the loss. “A week ago grandma moved, first she lived in the world, now she lives in my head,” reads an excerpt from the book published by NOS. Kuyper described the work to NOS last week as a cheerful story with a serious subject.

Literary Legacy and Prior Recognition

This is not the first time Kuyper received the Gouden Griffel; he previously won the prize for his 1996 book Robin a Good. In 2012, he received the Theo Thijssen-prijs for his entire oeuvre of children’s and youth literature. At the time, the jury commended his ability to find the right words across all genres, stating that Kuyper could tell difficult and grand stories in simple language that stays in the reader’s head like a song.

Twee dagen na zijn overlijden wint schrijver Sjoerd Kuyper de Gouden Griffel
Photo: nhnieuws.nl

Throughout his career, Kuyper wrote poetry collections, television scripts, and novels alongside children’s literature. His television series The Pocket Knife, based on one of his own books, won an International Emmy Award in the best youth program category.

Golden Brush Awarded to Karst-Janneke Roggar

Alongside the Gouden Griffel, the Gouden Penseel 2026 for the most beautifully illustrated children’s book was awarded to Karst-Janneke Rogaar for Lucy and Donker. Rogaar both wrote and illustrated the book, which centers on a young girl named Lucy and a creature under her bed named Donker. According to NOS, Rogaar will receive the award at the Kinderboekenbal.