Kees de jongen #[nn]

Set against the charming canal-house facades of a wintry Dutch street, Dick Matena's cover for Kees de jongen immediately draws the eye to a young boy caught mid-stumble in the foreground, while a girl in a vivid red coat and hat laughs nearby and two adults look on from behind. Matena's linework carries the warmth and period detail of classic Dutch illustration, beautifully evoking the world of Theo Thijssen's beloved story. This 2012 Athenaeum edition — written, drawn, inked, and lettered entirely by Matena — is a labor of love that brings Kees de jongen to life as a genuine beeldroman (graphic novel) with real craft and affection.