Harmen van Straaten

Harmen van Straaten always loved to draw, but as a young adult he felt pressured into pursuing a career in law. After working briefly as a lawyer (and not enjoying it) he started to write children's books and has since written and illustrated over 200 books which have been published in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Great Britatin, and now the United States. Harmen van Straaten lives in Holland.

North-South Books: I'm sure many children remember a time when they thought that all there as to reading and writing was the right pair of glasses and a pen. Did you have a similar experience and did that spark Duck's Tale? How did the story develop?
Harmen van Straaten: I saw children at pre-school acting as if they were writing. When I started with the character, Duck, I first made some drawings of all the figures. Then, I started to discuss with the publisher and we decided that I had to explain where Duck came from, and we got the idea of letting him tell his own story--so that's how we invented the first story!

NS: The way Toad handles having to "read" Duck's story is so affirming of their friendship. How did you arrive at this resolution?
HsV: In the stories I wrote about Duck and his friend, respect for each other and friendship are key words. I try to tell the stories with humor and without being moralistic. In this story, both Duck and Toad realize that they need each other. Duck can't read the story himself and from Toad, we are not sure if he can read at all. However, they are very respectful towards each other.

NS: Is there one scene that you especially enjoyed bringing to life on the page?
HsV: I really enjoy the picture of Duck and Toad together in the house of Toad because Duck is so impressed by Toad. Sometimes, I can be impressed as well by people who are full about themselves. Although, now that I'm getting a bit older in years, I am not easily impressed anymore.

NS: What's next for Duck?
HsV: In the story For Me?, Duck receiveds a letter with a red heart and a red rose. The other three have received the same letter. "Someone is in love with us," Toad whispers. They are having an argument about who this letter is really for. "My rose is the longest," Otter says. "I received the letter first," Toad says. Finally, when they are discussing this love thing, a little mole enters the room. she is the new neighbor and wanted to know some new people so that is why she wrote the letters to them all.

NS: What are some questions kids have asked you?
HsV: They ask how I start to work, what materials I use, etc. When the most memorable question, "What is your favorite food?" was asked, I responded "Pancakes!" After that answer, the little girl asked if she could come for dinner at my house. Another question from a four-year-old boy was "When can you stop working?" I answered "When I win the jackpot in the national lottery." But, to be honest, I hope that I can work forever because I really love my job.