KAREL APPEL uit de kapperszaak in de Dapperstraat

Karel Appel, one of the most renowned and colourful artists the Netherlands has ever produced, is the star of the latest children’s art book by Imme Dros and Harrie Geelen. The story tells how young Karel dreams of becoming a famous artist, not just a barber like his father. This is the fifteenth children’s art book issued by the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and Dutch publishing house Leopold. Karel Appel uit de kapperszaak in de Dapperstraat  is being published to accompany the Gemeentemuseum’s major new exhibition, Karel Appel – A Retrospective, on at the museum from 16 January to 16 May 2016. Harrie Geelen’s original illustrations for the children’s book will be on show in the Grand Café at the Gemeentemuseum.

Follow your dream: that is the message at the heart of this new children’s art book. When Appel is fifteen, he has to leave school. His father hands him a pair of scissors, a comb and a barber’s overall. But young Karel doesn’t want to be a hairdresser; he wants to be an artist. And he does everything he possibly can to make his dream come true. Karel Appel uit de kapperszaak in de Dapperstraat is for sale in the museum shop and all good bookshops throughout the Netherlands, price €14.99. Ever since 2010, the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag has been working hand in hand with publishing house Leopold on a series of art books specially designed for children and accompanying major exhibitions. 

Painting with Karel Appel
For children visiting the Karel Appel retrospective, the museum is offering a challenging activities booklet for kids aged six and over. There is also a unique museum lesson on ‘Painting with Karel Appel’ for primary