The Book of Everything

A small book about the big things in life that really matter. Shocking, funny, touching and ultimately hopeful, this is a rare gem of a story for all ages.

Thomas sees amazing things that no one else can see: tropical fish swimming in the canal, sparrows playing bright trumpets and frogs wriggling through the letterbox. When his father hits his mother, Thomas sees the angels cover their eyes and weep.

He writes it all down in The Book of Everything, including his wish: 'When I grow up, I'm going to be happy'. One of his biggest discoveries is that happiness begins with no longer being afraid.

'A deeply moving story about a family. Could be any family - it could be about the whole world, really...about the triumph of love over fear, life over death. So sad, so beautiful.' Ron Brooks

'What a gorgeous, gorgeous story. Jaunty and quirky and sweetly funny, The Book of Everything is an absolute charmer.' Sonya Hartnett

A startling book for young and old.

About The Author

Guus Kuijer is one of Holland's most celebrated children's book authors, with published work spanning short story collections, novels for children and adults, stage plays and television scripts. In 2005, The Book of Everything won the Flemish Golden Owl Award and the Dutch Golden Pencil Award. Guus has been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, to be announced in March 2006.

John Nieuwenhuizen has translated six novels from the Dutch language, including Falling, The Baboon King (winner of the prestigious Mildred L. Batchelder Award for translation) and And What About Anna?. In 2005 John was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Translation Prize. His translation of Ann Provoost's In the Shadow of the Ark is on the long-list for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.