Leo Timmers in New York Times Top Ten Best-Illustrated Books List

Timmers secures top ten spot again

Illustrator Leo Timmers secured a spot in the New York Times top ten best-illustrated children’s books with the English version of ‘Kiki en ik’, BRUZZ reported.

The Genk-based author and illustrator learned of the recognition when his United States publisher called him unexpectedly. “Ze vroeg of ik een momentje had om te bellen. Ik wist totaal niet waarom ze mij wilde spreken.”

Timmers previously entered the list in 2019 with ‘Aap op straat’, as noted by TV Limburg. Yet he may write the award from the New York Times and New York Public Library on his list of achievements for the second time.

‘Kiki en ik’ follows a young girl and her horse, featuring the horse as the narrator as the pair explore landscapes together, according to TV Limburg. Timmers has been releasing picture books since 1999.

Two years of doubt and dual techniques

Timmers spent two years working on the book, a process that involved stepping out of his comfort zone. The story combines two distinct artistic styles on alternating pages.

"Eigenlijk zijn het 2 boeken in elkaar," Timmers told BRUZZ, explaining that the first half uses black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings while the second half features large acrylic paintings.

“Zijn zwart-witte pen-en-inkt-stijl benadrukt de expressiviteit van de paardenverteller en de kleinere momenten die de blijvende band tussen Kiki en haar paard vormen,” the New York Times described of the artistic approach.

Timmers works on new book while traveling

Timmers said that foreign publishers have translated his work into more than 43 languages. He is currently traveling while working on a follow-up book that will require more time.

“Vorige keer dacht ik echt dat het een once in a lifetime-ervaring was,” Timmers told BRUZZ regarding his second appearance on the list.

During his interview with VRT NWS, Timmers was waiting for his flight to New York, because the award ceremony takes place there next week.

Frequently asked questions about Leo Timmers

Which book earned Leo Timmers his first New York Times award?

Timmers first entered the top ten list in 2019 with his book ‘Aap op straat’, according to TV Limburg.

How many languages has Timmers’ work been translated into?

His catalog of roughly twenty children’s books has been translated into more than 43 languages worldwide, BRUZZ reported.

What techniques does ‘Kiki en ik’ use?

The book combines black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings with large acrylic paintings, forming two distinct styles within one volume.