This spring we will celebrate Amsterdam 750 in class. More than 60,000 primary school students, from group 1 to group 8, will receive their own book as a gift. A unique souvenir of the celebration of Amsterdam's 750 years. And lots of reading pleasure.
With this reading gift, students will discover their city in a new way: its history, special places, the various festivals in the city, and the many Amsterdammers who live there.
Students and teachers from grades 1 to 4 will receive the read-aloud book Feest in Amsterdam, written by Amsterdam native Ellen Brudet and published by Leopold. A colorful collection of stories that celebrates the diversity of Amsterdam. Ellen Brudet will read from the book at various OBA locations and visit schools. A lesson plan will also be available with the book.
Everyone in grades 5 to 8 will receive the activity book Mijn jarige stad, written by Jan Paul Schutten and published by Pavlov. A wonderfully colorful book with “about three trillion funny facts about the city, five real Amsterdam heroes, fantastic stories, and plenty of things to make you think, all with a touch of Amsterdam nonsense.” The playful structure of the book encourages students to think about the history and future of Amsterdam. With this cheerful activity book, teachers can creatively and educationally focus on the city’s anniversary in their own classrooms.
Additionally, teachers of grades 5 and 6 can request a free lesson module to have the children write their own story about Amsterdam. The highlight will be a creative writing lesson in the classroom, taught by a real children’s book author!
On May 16, the books will be unveiled with a festive event. On May 20, 21, and 22, the books will be distributed to all schools in the city. The book is suitable for use in the classroom and also for enjoyment at home afterward.
More information can be found here. Teachers of grades 5 and 6 can already book the free lesson module and lesson from a children’s book author here.
Broad Administrative Consultation
Amsterdam’s primary schools are united in the Broad Administrative Consultation. They initiated a unique gift for all students and their teachers, celebrating Amsterdam 750 across all schools.
Publisher Leopold
Leopold is an Amsterdam-based children’s and youth book publisher, celebrating 100 years of publishing books like the Frog picture books and the timeless adventures of Tonke Dragt. The read-aloud book is written by Ellen Brudet, who previously wrote Bij ons thuis and Overal Feest.
Publisher Pavlov
Pavlov creates unique, tailor-made books. They previously produced editions commissioned by the Rijksmuseum (Family Guides), Artis, and to celebrate 100 years of the OBA (How to Become a Super-Amsterdammer). The book Mijn jarige stad was developed together with teachers and students from various schools.
Both books have been made possible with support from: the Zadelhoff Cultuur Fonds, City of Amsterdam, APG, Rederij P. Kooij, Amsterdam 750, Broad Administrative Consultation Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Museum, and the Public Library of Amsterdam.
The School Writer
The School Writer has been offering interactive lesson programs and inspiring training on reading and writing for all primary schools for 15 years. With a key role for professional children’s book authors, their goal is to make every child language-strong. In honor of Amsterdam 750, they developed a special lesson module for grades 5 and 6 classes across Amsterdam. In this lesson module, students work on one page from the book Mijn jarige stad. They write a story about the future of the city, together with a children’s book author. This lesson module is made possible by Rotary Amsterdam and the OBA. More information can be found on The School Writer’s website.
