De droom van Pepijn

We love reading the read-it-for-yourself book series "Dive into the Time of..." with our young monsters. The story De droom van Pepijn (Pepijn's Dream) is written by Dutch Author Monique van der Zanden, and the attractive illustrations in this book are made by illustrator Helen van Vliet. The books are so enjoyable because they tell wonderful stories about the times of long ago.

They also explain what the Netherlands looked like  and what the lives of children were about back then. Around the year 800, the name Netherlands didn't even exist yet! What is now our country was called the Low Lands. According to this book, it could just as easily have been called the Empty Lands, because there were hardly any villages let alone towns in this vacant area.
 

Children were allowed to play until they were about seven, after which they had to "help." Because if you wanted to eat, you had to grow your own food. Girls helped their mothers, learning housekeeping, and by the time they turned twelve, they were often already married off, wether they wanted or not. Boys had to learn a trade and were sometimes given away to a convent. That's what happened to Pepijn.

In this book, you'll read the story of Pepijn's life, which wasn't easy because everything revolved around church and prayer. The daily schedule was strict, and you had to stick to it exactly. It was not an easy life for anyone in these times, but most certainly not for children. But you also read how strong and clever children back then already were. Just read this book, it's truly beautiful!