Sjoerd Kuyper awarded Golden Griffel posthumously
The jury honours Maantje verhuist de zee, the final book by the writer who died on Tuesday.
Sjoerd Kuyper has been posthumously awarded the Golden Griffel 2026 for Maantje verhuist de zee. The children’s author died on Tuesday at the age of 74. As a result, the award takes on an exceptionally dual character.
The Golden Griffel is the most important Dutch jury award for original Dutch-language children’s books. Kuyper received the distinction for Maantje verhuist de zee, which had previously won a Silver Griffel. The book was published by Hoogland & Van Klaveren.
The jury considers the winning title a book in which language, imagination and major questions come together. The prize is presented at the beginning of Children’s Book Week. The Golden Griffel is part of the series of Griffels and Penselen organised annually by Stichting CPNB.
Kuyper wrote for children and adults for more than fifty years. He became known for works including Het zakmes and the stories about Robin. He had already received a Golden Griffel in 1997 for Robin en God. His work was also adapted for film, television and theatre.
The award follows shortly after his death. According to information from publisher Hoogland & Van Klaveren, Kuyper died on Tuesday after a short illness. The jury expressed its appreciation for the book, not for the author’s death. His death does make the announcement unusual.
The Golden Penseel was also announced alongside the Golden Griffel. That prize went to illustrator Karst-Janneke Rogaar. The two distinctions annually mark the best-written and best-illustrated original Dutch-language children’s book.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The prize, the winning book and the earlier award can be found in the CPNB jury report. The death information and biographical context have been confirmed by ANP publications.
- confirmed Maantje verhuist de zee won the Golden Griffel 2026. — Mentioned in the CPNB jury report. source
- confirmed The book had previously received a Silver Griffel. — Mentioned in the jury report and the CPNB information. source
- confirmed Sjoerd Kuyper died at the age of 74. — Reported by ANP publications. source
- confirmed Karst-Janneke Rogaar won the Golden Penseel. — Included in the reporting and the CPNB jury report. source
Editor's note
The prize winners and the status of the Griffels have been confirmed by CPNB. Biographical details are limited to information supported by CPNB and ANP publications.Sources
- Juryrapport Griffels en Penselen 2026 — Stichting CPNB
- Griffels & Penselen — Stichting CPNB
- Kinderboekenschrijver Sjoerd Kuyper overleden — Reformatorisch Dagblad / ANP
- Schrijver Sjoerd Kuyper overleden — Zeelandnet / ANP