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Episode 7’s main connection was “Annie MG Schmidt.” Below you can read all the answers that have to do with Annie MG Schmidt and how this connection works!
When Annie MG Schmidt was asked in an interview to explain her success as a children’s book author, she said: “The age I have always kept is eight. And I actually write for myself. I think that’s the whole point. I’m eight’. It has become a well-known statement of hers: the title of a book about children’s literature by Annie MG Schmidt, ‘Always stayed eight’, refers to it. Annie also wrote the lyrics for the songs in the musical ‘And now to bed’, including ‘Never an eight’.
Sanne Vogel plays the young Annie in ‘Annie MG’, a drama series about her life. Birds also appear in Annie’s work. Think of the curlew, the bird from ‘Pluk van de Petteflet’. Also a fun fact: Annie wrote the very first song that was heard at the very first Eurovision Song Contest, in 1956. The title was ‘The birds of Holland’, and it was sung by Jetty Paerl.
Annie has an official website and it is called ‘Annie-mg.com’.
The Spin Sebastiaan is one of her best-known poems.
In the musical ‘Delicious lasts the longest’, for which Annie wrote the lyrics, Leen Jongewaard plays the role of Kees Bloem. ‘Kom Kees’ is a song from that musical. Another well-known Kees, the literature expert Kees Fens, wrote a book about Annie: ‘Look, Annie Mg Schmidt’. The Annie MG Schmidt Prize, the award for the best theater song, was won in 1998 by Kees Torn, and Kees Prins played the roles of Nelis and Willem in the remake of Annie’s radio plays about the Doorsnee Family. Kezen also appear in her books: the boys Kees and Jelle are the main characters from Annie’s book ‘Hoog en low’, and Smeerkees is Floddertje’s dog.
Neighbor Boordevol was the angry neighbor in the TV series ‘Yes Sister, No Sister’ by Annie MG Schmidt. The neighbor was played by actor Dick Swidde; Paul R. Kooij took on the role in the 2002 film.
Many of Annie’s books and characters have been made into films. ‘Dikkertje Dap’ is a film based on Annie’s song. ‘Minoes’, ‘Abeltje’, ‘Ja Zuster, Nee Zuster’, ‘Pluk van de Petteflet’ and ‘Wiplala’ were also shown in the cinemas.
The name of Floddertje, the girl from the book of the same name by Annie MG Schmidt, is derived from the word ‘flodder’, which means sloppy; Floddertje is a bit dirty and untidy, just like her dog Smeerkees.
Annie wrote the song ‘On a beautiful Pentecost day’ sung by Leen Jongewaard and André van den Heuvel. Leen Jongewaard also played the leading role in her musical ‘Ping Ping’ and in the iconic TV series ‘Ja Zuster, Nee Zuster’, in which he took on the role of Gerrit the burglar.
Annie’s verse ‘The Fluitketeltje’ is about a whistling kettle that is boiling on a stove and cannot be quiet. The other pans on the stove shout out ‘Please be quiet at last, you look like a locomotive’. ‘Het Fluitketeltje’ was published in Het Parool in 1949 and was one of Annie’s first verses.
As a writer, Annie naturally has quite a few books to her name.
Annie MG Schmidt was director of the library in Vlissingen and also worked as a librarian in Amsterdam.
‘There is a tear on the tompoes’ is a play written by Annie.
Annie MG Schmidt wrote several verses and songs about pigs, for example ‘A very small pig’ and ‘The lazy pig Lanterfant’.
Annie’s poem ‘The polder and the reeds’ is written from the point of view of a polder lying on his back so that he can see the clouds better. It is an unusual poem in Annie’s oeuvre, because it hardly rhymes.
Annie’s favorite color was pink. In one of her books she had stated that her funeral should be a cheerful day, without black and in pink, and so it happened: the ladies wore pink dresses, the men had pink pochettes, the master of ceremonies wore a pink suit and even the roses on her coffin were pink.
Annie wrote the poem ‘The polder and the reeds’. And her father had his first position as a pastor in the Sint Anthoniepolder.
Annie’s father was a pastor in Kapelle, in the Bible Belt.
Annie was co-author of the book ‘Achter dyken en dammen’, a book for children about Zeeland and the Delta Works.
Annie is seen as a great innovator of youth poetry after the Second World War, especially because she took children seriously as an audience.
Annie wrote several poems with ‘girl’ in the title, such as ‘To a Little Girl’, ‘The Zebra Girl’ and ‘The Girl Who Lost Her Name’.
1953 was a momentous year in Annie’s career. Not only was the first book published with the adventures of Jip and Janneke, which were previously published in Het Parool, she also wrote her first long story: ‘Abeltje’.
Kees Hulst plays Ibbeltje’s father in the TV series. By the way, he also plays a schoolmaster in Abeltje. And composer Gerard van Hulst wrote the music for Annie’s verse ‘The woodworm’.
Annie MG was born in a village in South Beveland, namely Kapelle.
Annie was born in 1911 in Kapelle, Zuid-Beveland in Zeeland.
Annies is best known for her books and rhymes for children, but according to her own words, she did not care much for her target group. In fact, “I won’t kick them, but I’m not particularly fond of children” is a well-known statement of hers.
‘Dikkertje Dap’, Annie’s famous poem, is about a giraffe.
Annie MG is one of the fifty subjects, ‘windows’, in the well-known Canon of the Netherlands.
Annie gave a very famous candid interview with Ischa Meijer in 1992.
Actress Carice van Houten played Minoes in the film about the well-known character of Annie.
‘On a beautiful Pentecost day’ is a well-known song with lyrics by Annie MG Schmidt, from the musical ‘Delicious lasts the longest’.
Foxtrot is a 1977 musical with lyrics by Annie MG Schmidt.
Annie was a smoker. Even her wax figure in Madame Tussauds was given a cigarette.
‘Yes Sister, No Sister’, the popular musical comedy TV series written by Annie MG Schmidt, was broadcast from 1966 to 1968. In 2002 the film of the same name was released in theaters.
‘Pluk van de Petteflet’ is a well-known book by Annie MG Schmidt.
Jip and Janneke are perhaps the best-known brainchildren of Annie MG Schmidt. They even managed to get a mention in the Dikke Van Dale: Jip-en-Janneketaal is the name for ‘ordinary human language’.
The Enduring Charm of Annie MG Schmidt
So, gather ‘round, class! Today, we delve into the delightful and slightly cheeky world of Annie MG Schmidt—a woman who seemingly mastered the art of penmanship for children while maintaining a spirited ‘I’m eight’ approach to life. Remarkably, this means she had the wisdom of a seasoned writer but the unabashed attitude of a cheeky child. Perfect, right? Who needs therapy when you can just embrace your inner eight-year-old?
Success with a Side of Whimsy
Imagine being so in touch with your inner child that your creative process revolves around the golden age of eight. Schmidt pulled this off seamlessly, claiming, “I think that’s the whole point. I’m eight.” It’s as if she wrote with a set of crayons while adults kept asking her for in-depth analyses of character development. Spoiler alert: the characters are usually just fantastic escapes from reality, and she did this with style.
In her journey, Schmidt wasn’t just writing books. Oh no, she also dabbled in musicals. Perhaps you’ve crooned along to the 1956 Eurovision Song Contest hit The Birds of Holland? Yes, folks, that was her debut on the international stage. I only hope her goals for fame didn’t end at amusing seven-year-olds at bedtime.
Birds, Neighbors, and the Curious Folk of Annie’s World
Speaking of childhood delight, birds flutter in and out of her stories like kids trying to dodge school. Case in point: the curlew in Pluk van de Petteflet. Then there’s the irritable neighbor Boordevol from the Yes Sister, No Sister series—who needs enemies when your neighbors are fictional characters like that? It’s almost as if Schmidt said, “Let’s make everyone’s angsty neighbor a little more theatrical—watch them squawk!”
Innovation in Youth Poetry
Annie MG Schmidt is lauded as a trailblazer of post-war children’s literature. Unlike some penny-pinching adults who’d rather patrons read scientific tomes, Schmidt said, “Hold my juice box!” and penned rhymes with sharp wit and a grin. A nod to her innovative spirit is Jip and Janneke—they even earned their spot in the Dikke Van Dale, defining ‘ordinary human language’! Yes, you read that right. Ordinary has just been stepped up a notch, people!
Not Just a Pretty Face
While Schmidt had a colorful life, she didn’t shy away from tackling important subjects. This whimsical figure also co-authored a book about Zeeland and the Delta Works for children—proving she could swing from nursery rhymes to serious topics without losing her focus. It’s like switching from a party hat to a hard hat, and she wore both splendidly!
A Trailing Legacy
Despite her complex relationships with children, Schmidt tapped into a childlike wisdom, creating stories that entertained generations. Each book holds pieces of her—a mosaic of vibrant tales that are both humorous and oddly inspirational. She argued that being children’s author didn’t mean pandering to them, and her approach solidified her status as a literary giant in Dutch culture.
Final Thoughts
So, why should we care about Annie MG Schmidt? Because she reinvented scripts for laughter while schooling us on serious matters wrapped in joy. With every verse and whimsical character, she beckons us to embrace that inner eight-year-old. So, take a cue from Annie: whether you’re serving pink roses or writing hit songs about dancing kettles, one thing’s for sure—never lose that youthful spark, will you?
Yesterday
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reading time 6 minutes
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Episode 7 prominently featured the illustrious figure “Annie MG Schmidt.” Below, you can discover the answers that illuminate Annie MG Schmidt’s profound influence and the connections related to her remarkable legacy!
In a revealing interview about her success as a revered children’s book author, Annie MG Schmidt articulated, “The age I have always kept is eight. And I actually write for myself. I think that’s the whole point. I’m eight’. This sentiment has become a hallmark of her philosophy, encapsulated in the title of her book on children’s literature, ‘Always Stayed Eight’. Furthermore, Annie showcased her lyrical talent by writing songs for the musical ‘And now to bed’, which features the captivating piece ‘Never an eight’.
Sanne Vogel delivers a mesmerizing performance as the younger version of Annie in ‘Annie MG’, a compelling drama series that chronicles her extraordinary life. Birds play a significant symbolic role in Schmidt’s works, with the curlew, a character from ‘Pluk van de Petteflet’, being particularly notable. A fascinating piece of trivia: Annie penned the very first song showcased at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, titled ‘The Birds of Holland’, performed by the talented Jetty Paerl.
Annie has an official website, operated under the domain ‘Annie-mg.com’, which serves as a treasure trove of information about her prolific career.
The poem ‘The Spin Sebastiaan’ holds a cherished spot among her renowned works.
In the musical ‘Delicious Lasts the Longest’, where Annie contributed the lyrics, the character of Kees Bloem is brought to life by the talented Leen Jongewaard. A notable song from this production is ‘Kom Kees’. Additionally, literature expert Kees Fens authored ‘Look, Annie MG Schmidt’, a detailed exploration of her writing. The prestigious Annie MG Schmidt Prize, awarded for the finest theater song, was presented to Kees Torn in 1998. Meanwhile, Kees Prins took on the roles of Nelis and Willem in the updated adaptation of Annie’s radio plays about the Doorsnee Family. Kees also features in her stories: Kees and Jelle are the protagonists in ‘Hoog en Low’, and Smeerkees is none other than Floddertje’s beloved dog.
Neighbor Boordevol, an irritable character from the TV series ‘Yes Sister, No Sister,’ was portrayed by actor Dick Swidde, while Paul R. Kooij reprised the role for the 2002 film adaptation.
Numerous adaptations of Annie’s cherished books and characters into films have captivated audiences, including the delightful ‘Dikkertje Dap’ based on her song, as well as cinematic versions of ‘Minoes’, ‘Abeltje’, ‘Ja Zuster, Nee Zuster’, ‘Pluk van de Petteflet’, and ‘Wiplala’.
The name ‘Floddertje’ in Annie’s book of the same name signifies a playful nod to ‘flodder’, denoting her character’s messy and chaotic nature, paralleling that of her dog, Smeerkees.
Annie’s lyrical prowess extended to the song ‘On a Beautiful Pentecost Day’, performed by Leen Jongewaard and André van den Heuvel, and also featured in the musical ‘Delicious Lasts the Longest’. Leen Jongewaard notably played a lead role in her musical ‘Ping Ping’ and the famous TV series ‘Ja Zuster, Nee Zuster’, taking on the character of Gerrit the burglar.
Among her earliest and most memorable verses is ‘The Fluitketeltje’, depicting a whistling kettle on a stove, creating delightful chaos as it draws complaints from the other pots. This poem, first published in Het Parool in 1949, marked one of the earliest milestones in Annie’s writing journey.
As a prolific writer, Annie MG Schmidt boasts an extensive catalog of books to her name, showcasing her deep connection with literature.
Annie MG Schmidt served as the director of the library in Vlissingen and held previous positions as a librarian in Amsterdam, which undoubtedly enriched her literary craft.
The play ‘There is a Tear on the Tompoes’ is one of Annie’s creative contributions to the world of theater.
Annie MG Schmidt’s whimsical poetry often featured pigs, including charming pieces like ‘A Very Small Pig’ and ‘The Lazy Pig Lanterfant’, characterizing her playful writing style.
An interesting creation in Annie’s oeuvre is her poem ‘The polder and the reeds,’ which presents a unique perspective from a polder reclining on its back to observe the clouds, notable for its departure from her typically rhyming style.
Annie had a fondness for pink, stating that her funeral should be a joyful celebration free of black attire; her wishes were honored as attendees donned pink dresses, suits, and even the roses adorning her casket were pink.
Annie penned the poem ‘The Polder and the Reeds,’ inspired by her father’s first pastoral role in the Sint Anthoniepolder.
Annie’s father was a pastor in Kapelle, situated in the Bible Belt of the Netherlands.
Contributing to children’s literature, Annie co-authored ‘Achter dyken en dammen,’ a charming book about Zeeland and the Delta Works, aimed at sparking children’s interest.
Renowned as a pioneering figure in youth poetry post-World War II, Annie is celebrated for taking children’s perspectives and emotions seriously in her writing.
Annie crafted several enchanting poems with ‘girl’ in the title, including ‘To a Little Girl’, ‘The Zebra Girl’, and ‘The Girl Who Lost Her Name’, showcasing her ability to connect with young readers.
The year 1953 marked a transformative moment in Annie’s career, as she released her first book featuring the endearing adventures of Jip and Janneke—characters originally published in Het Parool—alongside her inaugural long story, ‘Abeltje’.
In the television series, Kees Hulst takes on the role of Ibbeltje’s father, and interestingly, he also portrays a schoolmaster in ‘Abeltje’. Composer Gerard van Hulst contributed music to one of Annie’s verses, ‘The Woodworm’.
Annie MG Schmidt was born in 1911 in the charming village of Kapelle, Zuid-Beveland, Zeeland, laying the foundation for her prolific literary journey.
Though best known for her whimsical tales for children, Annie candidly admitted her ambivalence toward her target audience, famously stating, “I won’t kick them, but I’m not particularly fond of children.”
An iconic piece, ‘Dikkertje Dap’, tells the charming tale of a curious giraffe, showcasing Annie’s unique storytelling abilities.
Annie MG Schmidt holds a distinguished place among the fifty subjects featured in the renowned Canon of the Netherlands, solidifying her cultural significance.
A memorable moment in Annie’s life was a candid interview with the notable Ischa Meijer in 1992, where she shared insights into her creative process.
In the film adaptation of her work, actress Carice van Houten brought the character of Minoes to life, enchanting viewers with her performance.
The delightful song ‘On a Beautiful Pentecost Day’ originates from the musical ‘Delicious Lasts the Longest’, illustrating Annie’s lyrical prowess.
The 1977 musical ‘Foxtrot’, featuring lyrics penned by Annie, remains a beloved part of her extensive repertoire.
Annie was a smoker, a quirk reflected in her wax figure at Madame Tussauds, which was notably depicted with a cigarette in hand.
‘Yes Sister, No Sister,’ the captivating musical comedy TV series conceived by Annie MG Schmidt, aired from 1966 to 1968 and was later adapted into a feature film in 2002.
Among her notable works, ‘Pluk van de Petteflet’ stands out as one of Annie MG Schmidt’s beloved books.
Jip and Janneke, arguably Annie’s most iconic creations, have become a cultural phenomenon; their name is even synonymous with the term “Jip-en-Janneketaal,” describing the language of everyday people, as recognized in the Dikke Van Dale.
Kkertje Dap,’ revolves around a giraffe and has become a staple in Dutch children’s poetry, showcasing Annie’s ability to blend humor and charm in her works.
Annie MG Schmidt’s legacy is an intriguing tapestry of literary creativity, whimsical characters, and mischievous humor. Through her enchanting tales and delightful poetry, she has managed to capture the hearts of both children and adults alike, transforming the way children’s literature is perceived. Her stories remind us all to embrace our inner child and celebrate the imaginative nature of storytelling.
The Lasting Impact of Annie MG Schmidt
In recognizing the vast array of her contributions, one can appreciate that Annie MG Schmidt isn’t just a writer; she’s an institution. From musicals to children’s poetry, she has left an indelible mark on Dutch culture, shaping the landscape of youth literature in ways that still resonate today. Her whimsical style and poignant insights into childhood help us understand the importance of playfulness alongside serious subjects, making her an unparalleled figure in the literary world.
As we reflect on the enduring charm of Annie MG Schmidt, let’s cherish her works as both a celebration of childhood and a meaningful commentary on human experiences. Whether through the eyes of a messy little girl named Floddertje, a curious giraffe, or the tales of Jip and Janneke, Schmidt invites us into a world where laughter meets insight, and imagination knows no bounds. So, let’s honor her legacy by reading, laughing, and never losing that youthful spark—after all, as Annie would remind us, it’s perfectly fine to want to be eight forever.
Join me in celebrating the whimsical world of Annie MG Schmidt and the joy she continues to bring to readers of all ages!
Remarkable ability to combine fun with depth has earned her a revered place in cultural history. Her stories invite readers to explore the world through a child’s eyes, all while crafting narratives that resonate with a broader audience.
From her beloved characters like Jip and Janneke to her whimsical takes on everyday life, Annie MG Schmidt has carved a niche that continues to inspire generations. Her candid perspectives on childhood and her unapologetic honesty about her feelings towards children reveal a complex personality that undoubtedly contributed to her unique storytelling voice. By maintaining a playful spirit and embracing her inner eight-year-old, she reminds us all of the importance of imagination, laughter, and the occasional wink at the absurdity of life.
Annie’s contributions to the literary world extend beyond mere storybooks; they’ve influenced plays, musicals, and films, proving her versatility as a creator. Whether through the rhyming schemes of her poetry or the rich, engaging narratives of her novels, she managed to forge a connection that reaches beyond the confines of age. In doing so, Annie MG Schmidt has left us with a treasure trove of stories that continue to entertain, challenge, and delight readers of all ages.
In celebrating her legacy, we recognize not only a great author but also a playful provocateur of thought—ever urging us to look at life’s complexities through a lens of wonder, humor, and authenticity. So, let’s keep Annie’s playful spirit alive, remaining curious, imaginative, and ever willing to embrace the joy of storytelling.
