March is Children's Book Month! This year's theme is animals, and De Roma welcomes an author and illustrator of two special children's books featuring animals in the lead roles.

Senne Misplon will read from Mijn Team (Pelckmans, 2024) and Noëmi Willemen will bring her latest book Tot je weer thuis bent (Het Hannekesnest, 2026), illustrated by herself and written by Hanne Luyten.

My Team

Last summer, Lio the squirrel moved to the big city. Today is his first day at his new school. With a fearful heart and a trembling tail, Lio goes in search of new friends on the football field. But when Lio asks to play, the children are confused. They play boys against girls, but which team does Lio belong to?

In My Team, norms about boys and girls are called into question. This book is the ideal conversation starter for discussing ideas and prejudices about gender in a child-friendly way.

Senne Misplon, an expert in gender diversity, wrote this book inspired by his own experience as a trans man and primary school teacher.

Until you're home again

"I don't want things to change just like that!" cries Hettie the hermit crab angrily when she has to move to a bigger shell. 

A story about high waves and a little hermit crab. About wanting to hold on to what you know, but having to let go. About growing up, but preferring to stay small.

But above all, it's a story about searching... until you're home again.

Noëmi Willemen is an illustrator, historian and blogger on parenting and care. Together with author and publisher Hanne Luyten, she has published numerous children's books, including the well-known series about Wilma Wonder (Het Hannekesnest).

Copyright illustration: Julie Van Geel