Into the Great Wide Open

Jacques Vriens, illustrations Pallieter Hutschemakers

A heart-warming story about the life of badgers

Master storyteller Jacques Vriens delivers another masterpiece With beautifully detailed illustrations by Pallieter Hutschemakers

Young badgers Bas and Bes would like nothing more than to go out and about, but mom and dad think they're too young for that, as there are dangers in the outdoors. For now they are told to stay inside. Disobedient, one day they secretly sneak out of the badger’s den. With their own eyes, they see the forest is full of dangers: that great owl, lurking around, or the dog who shows up all of a sudden. Bas wants to return home, but Bes has no fear.

Slowly, the badgers get acquainted with the great outdoors, but then it turns dark and they can’t find their den anymore. And from the great chestnut tree, danger is looming… Will they return home safely?

Jacques Vriens wanted to be an actor, a writer or a teacher when he was a kid. Eventually, he ended up doing everything. He has won many prizes, including multiple Griffels, the Archeon Thea Beckmanprijs and the Prijs van de Nederlandse Kinderjury.

Pallieter Hutschemakers was born in a family of artists and studied illustrative design and painting in Maastricht, where he also lives and works.