| Jaap ter Haar | |
| Birth Name: | Jacob Everard (Jaap) ter Haar |
| Birth Date: | 25 March 1922 |
| Death Place: | Laren, Netherlands[1] |
| Awards: | |
Jaap ter Haar (25 March 1922 – 26 February 1998) was a prolific Dutch author of children's literature.
Early in his career Ter Haar worked for the Radio Netherlands Worldwide.[2] In addition to his day job, ter Haar made many radio plays for broadcaster NCRV featuring stories of the characters Saskia and Jeroen.[1] [2] These stories were later adapted and published as a book series.[2] When Radio Netherlands Worldwide no longer permitted employees to earn income outside of work, Ter Haar decided to become a full-time writer in 1952.[2] Out of financial necessity, he published many books over the course of his career.[2] In addition to the characters Saskia and Jeroen, he also wrote many book series featuring the characters Lotje, Eelke, and Ernstjan and Snabbeltje.[1] [2]
Ter Haar won the Nienke van Hichtum-prijs in 1972 for his book Geschiedenis van de Lage Landen.[2] He won the Gouden Griffel award for his book Het wereldje van Beer Ligthart.[2] In 1976 he won the Buxtehude Bull for the book Behalt das Leben lieb, the German translation of Het wereldje van Beer Ligthart by Hans-Joachim Schädlich.
Ter Haar's books have been illustrated by various illustrators, including Gerard van Straaten, Charlotte Dematons and Rein van Looy.[2] Other illustrators include Rien Poortvliet and Otto Dicke.[2]