Gideon Samson (b. 1985) dreamed of being a professional footballer but instead became a writer, like his mother. And what a writer he is. His debut Niks zeggen! (Don’t Say Anything!, 2008) about bullying was an award winner and he became the youngest-ever winner of a Zilveren Griffel (Silver Pencil) for De hemel kan wachten (Heaven Can Wait, 2009). This was followed by Met je hoofd boven water (Keeping Your Head Above Water, 2010) and the sensational Zwarte Zwaan (Black Swan, 2012). Black Swan was awarded a Silver Pencil, both Eilanddagen (Island Days, 2016) and his picturebook debut Alle dieren drijven (All Animals Afloat, 2017) were awarded a Vlag en Wimpel (Flag and Pennant) and Overspoeld (Flooded, 2014) a Golden Frame. Gideon’s newest book, Zeb. (2018) was awarded the Golden Pencil 2019 and a Silver Paintbrush.
Author Photo © Jitske-Schols