Pierre and His Friends, Van de Hulst

Pierre, sick and confined to bed, cannot play with other children. He must find his enjoyment in what he sees outside his window: the sky above and the canal below. Pierre discovers beauty in the daily sights and sounds that enter his open window and they become his companions.

One day Pierre hears strange noises coming from the canal. Young boys have come into the quiet canal, shattering Pierre's peaceful routine. They see Pierre in his window ana an unusual relationship develops between Pierre and the group of boys, as they come back again and again.

During a local holiday, Pierre receives a surprise visit from his companions, and in an exuberant ceremony he is made mayor of the city.

When the boys return to the canal several days later, Pierre's window is empty. Before he died, however, Pierre left a gift with his grandfather for each of his friends.

For ages 10 and up

W.G. Vandehulst is well known throughout Europe as a master storyteller. His stories have been read and enjoyed by young people for more than fifty years.

Pierre and His Friends is one of Vandehulst's classics. The close cooperation of author-father and illustrator-son has produced a truly memorable book which is sure to delight young and old alike.

Fiction for Children