Wil Huygen
Encyclopedia
Wil Huygen (Amersfoort, Netherlands, 6/23/1922- 1/14/2009 Bilthoven, Netherlands), was a Dutch
book author. He is best known for the picture books on gnome
s, illustrated by Rien Poortvliet
.
Huygen, a painter in his own right, was born in Amersfoort
, the Netherlands. The seventh of ten children, his primary occupation was that of a physician. This helps to explain the method he used to give realism and a sense of authenticity to his children's books about gnomes. He was married and had five children.
The first and most well known in this series is Gnomes
(published in 1977, and originally known as Leven en werken van de Kabouter in Dutch). It was on top of the bestseller list of the New York Times for over a year. In the second book (De oproep der Kabouters) both Huygen and Poortvliet make appearances themselves in both the story and the illustrations as they get contacted by the gnomes because of Gnomes book they have written together. Huygens died January 14, 2009. He was 86 years old.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
book author. He is best known for the picture books on gnome
Gnome
A gnome is a diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature...
s, illustrated by Rien Poortvliet
Rien Poortvliet
Rien Poortvliet was a Dutch draughtsman and painter.Born in Schiedam, he was best known for his of animals and for "Gnomes" in the famous series of books by Wil Huygen and published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. of New York City.Being a plasterer's son from Schiedam, making a living as an artist did...
.
Huygen, a painter in his own right, was born in Amersfoort
Amersfoort
Amersfoort is a municipality and the second largest city of the province of Utrecht in central Netherlands. The city is growing quickly but has a well-preserved and protected medieval centre. Amersfoort is one of the largest railway junctions in the country, because of its location on two of the...
, the Netherlands. The seventh of ten children, his primary occupation was that of a physician. This helps to explain the method he used to give realism and a sense of authenticity to his children's books about gnomes. He was married and had five children.
The first and most well known in this series is Gnomes
Gnomes (book)
Gnomes is a 1977 book, one in a series of books, written by Wil Huygen and illustrated by Rien Poortvliet....
(published in 1977, and originally known as Leven en werken van de Kabouter in Dutch). It was on top of the bestseller list of the New York Times for over a year. In the second book (De oproep der Kabouters) both Huygen and Poortvliet make appearances themselves in both the story and the illustrations as they get contacted by the gnomes because of Gnomes book they have written together. Huygens died January 14, 2009. He was 86 years old.
Books list
- The Pop-Up Book of Gnomes (1979) http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=5233796&matches=24&author=Huygen%2C+Wil&browse=1&cm_re=works*listing*title
- The Gnome Book of Christmas Crafts (1980) http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=2634466&matches=56&author=Huygen%2C+Wil&browse=1&cm_re=works*listing*title
- Gnome Games (1980, Designed by Larry Evans) http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=2634470&matches=8&author=Huygen%2C+Wil&browse=1&cm_re=works*listing*title
- Secrets of the Gnomes (1981) http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=5970382&matches=18&author=Huygen%2C+Wil&browse=1&cm_re=works*listing*title
- Gnomes and Their Families (1983) http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=2634465&matches=3&author=Huygen%2C+Wil&browse=1&cm_re=works*listing*title
- Gnomes with Animals (1983) http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=2634483&matches=6&author=Huygen%2C+Wil&browse=1&cm_re=works*listing*title
- The Book of the Sandman and the Alphabet of Sleep (1989) http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=768726&matches=106&author=Huygen%2C+Wil&browse=1&cm_re=works*listing*title
External links
- Biography at FantasyLibrary.net, incorrectly assumes Wil to be female
- Gnomes at amazon.com