Pinkeltje


Pinkeltje is a fictional character from the eponymous children's book series by the Dutch writer Dick Laan. Pinkeltje is a white-bearded gnome and wears a pointed hat and is as big as a pinky finger, hence its name, meaning "fingerling" in Dutch. 29 books were published in a series between 1939 and 1977. The last four volumes appeared posthumously. A successful film was also released with the same title and based on the books.

Book series

The early stories focus mainly on Pinkeltje's adventures in the Grote Huis, inhabited by a father, a mother, a nameless boy and an unnamed girl. Pinkeltje doesn't appear to the residents, but is always ready to help them in silence. Later, the emphasis shifts to his adventures in Pinkeltjesland from where he originates and is married to Pinkelotje. In the last books, Pinkeltje emerges as a detective and helps solve crimes. The books have drawings of Rein van Looy.
Other characters include the dog Wiebelstaartje, the cat Snorrebaard and the five mice characters Knabbeltje, Grijshuidje, Zwartsnoetje, Kraaloogje and Langstaartje. Another Wolkewietje, a cloud is as big as an arm.
Although Pinkeltje is always helpful and friendly to everyone, he never shows to people because he does not know if he can trust them. The main exception is Mr. Dick Laan himself, to whom Pinkeltje appears and tells his adventures.
The series included:
  1. De avonturen van Pinkeltje
  2. Pinkeltje en zijn vriendjes
  3. Pinkeltje op reis
  4. Pinkeltje in Artis
  5. Pinkeltje en het grote huis
  6. Pinkeltje op zoek naar Klaas Vaak
  7. Pinkeltje in Madurodam
  8. Pinkeltje gaat naar Pinkeltjesland
  9. Pinkeltje en de flonkersteen
  10. Pinkeltje ontmoet Wolkewietje
  11. Wolkewietje is ondeugend geweest
  12. Een grote verrassing voor Pinkeltje
  13. Pinkeltje en de raket
  14. Pinkeltje en de gouden pen
  15. Pinkeltje en de parels
  16. Pinkeltje en de aardmannetjes
  17. Lach jij maar, Pinkeltje
  18. O! o, die Wolkewietje toch
  19. Het grote avontuur van Pinkelotje
  20. Pinkeltje en de boze tovenaar
  21. Pinkeltje en de autoraket
  22. Pinkeltje en de ijsheks
  23. Pinkeltje en 10 spannende verhalen
  24. Pinkeltje en het gestolen toverboek
  25. Pinkeltje en het verdwenen kindercircus
  26. Pinkeltje en de spannende avonturen om de gouden beker
  27. Pinkeltje op zoek naar de maandiamant
  28. Pinkeltje en de Bibelebonse pap
  29. Pinkeltje op zoek naar de vurige ogen
  30. Pinkeltje in de Efteling
  31. Pinkeltje in het Rijksmuseum
  32. Pinkeltje in het Dolfinarium
  33. Pinkeltje in het Spoorwegmuseum
A special book Pinkeltje – het verhaal van de film was published in 1978 to accompany the film.

Book adaptations and translations

Starting 1995, the book series was republished in an adaptation by Suzanne Braam and new illustrations by Julius Ros.
Translations of Pinkeltje have been made in English, German, French, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish and Icelandic.

Film adaptation

was produced by P. Hans Frankfurther, and includes Emmy Lopes Dias, Aart Staartjes, Wieteke van Dort, and Lex Goudsmit. A soundtrack was also released with vocals of Harrie Geelen and Joop Stokkermans.