Quill the Forest Keeper - by Marije Tolman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Long, long ago it was so busy. Nobody had time to stop for a moment. Everything and everyone had to be higher, faster, further, bigger, prettier, more!" Thus begins Grandpa Hedgehog's story of the Rush Era. A time not so different from our own, where everyone was constantly on the move and no one had time to stop for a moment, even to care for the forest. Everyone except for Quill. From acclaimed author-illustrator Marjie Tolman and translated from Dutch by award-winning translator David Colmer, Quill the Forest Keeper is a bedtime story for our time, and one that's sure to make you stop and smell the flowers"--

Book Synopsis

"Long, long ago it was so busy.
Nobody had time to stop for a moment.
Everything and everyone had to be higher, faster,
further, bigger, prettier, more!"

Thus begins Grandpa Hedgehog's story of the Rush Era. A time not so different from our own, where everyone was constantly on the move and no one had time to stop for a moment, even to care for the forest. Everyone except for a tiny hero named Quill. Can this gentle soul teach the rushing world to stop and smell the flowers before it's too late? Dive into Quill the Forest Keeper, a captivating bedtime story from Marije Tolman, translated by David Colmer, and rediscover the magic of quiet moments.

Review Quotes

"A captivating and fun bedtime suitable story that rediscovers the magic of quiet moments. Original, charming, and with an important message about taking the time to enjoy our lives in an ever more hectic world, [Quill the Forest Keeper] is an especially and unreservedly recommended and welcome pick." -Midwest Book Review

"Charming and cozy, this is perfect for reading aloud." - Booklist

"Exquisite mixed-media illustrations, with meticulous linework and colors that sparkle... a playful and openhearted examination of community, consumption and the value of a life lived slowly and deliberately, with care for the natural world." - BookPage

"Striking, gorgeous spreads... fitting for both an Earth Day storytime or a quiet, contemplative solo read." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A bookshelf must." - Foreword Reviews

"It's a story about the environment, but also about community, seeing that help is needed, and pitching in. The animal characters' engaging expressiveness, their shy smiles and affectionate gestures, buoy this winsome story and give it warmth." - Publishers Weekly

"Young readers will see a parallel between the forest community and their own world, where material consumption and "go, go, go" attitudes prevail. While the story treads familiar ground, the illustrations are standouts... a great candidate for a gentle read-aloud." - Kirkus

About the Author

Marije Tolman studied graphic and type design at the Royal Academy in The Hague and Illustration & Design at the Edinburgh College of Art, in Scotland. Her picture books are published in many countries, including Denmark, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Mexico, South Korea, Qatar, Japan, and China. Author residence: Netherlands

David Colmer is the translator of more than 60 book-length works of Dutch-language literature and has won many prizes for his translations, including the Vondel Prize, the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, the NSW Premier and PEN Translation Prize for his body of work, and the Dutch Foundation for Literature oeuvre prize. Author residence: Netherlands