Toon Tellegen

Antonius Otto Hermannus (Toon) Tellegen (born Brielle, November 18, 1941) is a Dutch writer, poet, and physician, known especially for his children's works, especially those involving ants and squirrels. His writings are also enjoyed by adults, due to the amusing, bizarre situations that Tellegen creates, as well as their dealings with philosophical subjects.

Biography

Tellegen studied medicine at the University of Utrecht, and worked as a general practitioner in Amsterdam. After writing for many years mainly for adults, Tellegen switched to children's stories. His first children's book, written in 1984, was called Er ging geen dag voorbij: negenenveertig verhalen over de eekhoorn en de andere dieren. (Once upon a time: fourty-nine tales of the squirrel and other animals). In these stories, the ant and the squirrel often play the lead role, and may of his stories touch on philosophical concepts.

Tellegen still writes today.

Prizes

• 1969 - ANV-Visser Neerlandia-prijs for Als moeder ergens ziek van wordt (If Mother Gets Sick)
• 1988 - Gouden Griffel for Toen niemand iets te doen had (When nobody had anything to do)
• 1990 - Zilveren Griffel for Langzaam, zo snel zij konden (Slowly, as fast as they could)"
• 1992 - Woutertje Pieterse Prijs for Juffrouw Kachel (Ms. Kachel)
• 1993 - Jan Campertprijs for Een dansschool (A Dance School)
• 1994 - Woutertje Pieterse Prijs for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen (Almost Everyone Falls Over)
• 1994 - Gouden Griffel for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen (Almost Everyone Falls Over)
• 1994 - Zilveren Griffel for Jannes
• 1997 - Theo Thijssenprijs for his complete works
• 1997 - Zilveren Griffel for Teunis (Evening)
• 1999 - Zilveren Griffel for De verjaardag van alle anderen (Everyone Elses Birthday)
• 2000 - Gouden Uil for De Genezing van de Krekel (The Healing of the Cricket)
• 2007 - Constantijn Huygensprijs for his complete works

Reference

• Kjoek.nl/Toon Tellegen