Elsje #10

Volume 10 of this beloved Dutch series by Gerben Valkema puts the irrepressible Elsje front and center, dressed in a festive Hawaiian lei and holding a layered cake in one hand and a cocktail in the other, surrounded by a chaotic, confetti-strewn party scene bursting with colorful characters. The subtitle — "Je bent van harte welkom een feestje voor me te geven" ("You're more than welcome to throw a party for me") — perfectly captures her endearingly self-assured personality. Published in 2016 as part of the Don Lawrence Collection, this hardcover edition is a wonderful showcase of Valkema's warm, expressive linework at its most celebratory.