Antonius Otto Hermannus (Toon) Tellegen (born in Brielle, November 18, 1941) is a Dutch writer, poet, and physician, known for his children's works, especially those involving anthropomorphised ants and squirrels. His writings are also enjoyed by adults, due to the amusing, bizarre situations that Tellegen creates, as well as their dealings with philosophical subjects.

Tellegen studied medicine at the University of Utrecht, and worked as a general practitioner in Amsterdam. After writing for many years mainly for adults, Tellegen switched to children's stories. His first children's book, written in 1984, was called Er ging geen dag voorbij: negenenveertig verhalen over de eekhoorn en de andere dieren. (Not A Day Went By: forty-nine tales of the squirrel and other animals). In these stories, the ant and the squirrel often play the lead role, and many of his stories touch on philosophical concepts.

Tellegen still writes today.

Prizes

1969 - ANV-Visser Neerlandia-prijs for Als moeder ergens ziek van wordt (When Mother Gets Sick of Something)

1988 - Gouden Griffel for Toen niemand iets te doen had (When nobody had anything to do)

1990 - Zilveren Griffel for Langzaam, zo snel zij konden (Slowly, as fast as they could)"

1992 - Woutertje Pieterse Prijs for Juffrouw Kachel (Ms. Heater)

1993 - Jan Campertprijs for Een dansschool (A Dance School)

1994 - Woutertje Pieterse Prijs for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen (Almost Everyone Can Fall Over)

1994 - Gouden Griffel for Bijna iedereen kon omvallen (Almost Everyone Can Fall Over)

1994 - Zilveren Griffel for Jannes

1997 - Theo Thijssenprijs for his complete works

1997 - Zilveren Griffel for Teunis (Evening)

1999 - Zilveren Griffel for De verjaardag van alle anderen (Everyone Elses Birthday)

2000 - Gouden Uil for De Genezing van de Krekel (The Healing of the Cricket)

2007 - Constantijn Huygensprijs for his complete works

Bibliography

[edit]Children's Books

1984 - There was no day passes. Forty-nine stories about the squirrels and other animals (Not A Day Goes By: Forty-nine squirrel and Other Tales of the animals) '

1985 - "I'm going on a trip," said the squirrel ("I'm Going On A Trip" said the squirrel). Amstelveen edition, Sunday Printers, at 45 exx.

1987 - When no one had anything to do (When nobody had anything to do Any)

1990 - The party on the moon (The Party on the Moon)

1991 - Maybe they were nowhere (nowhere Maybe They Were)

1991 - Miss heater (Ms. Heater)

1993 - Almost everyone was falling over (Almost Everyone Can Fall Over)

1993 - Jannes

1994 - My Dad (My Dad)

1995 - The anniversary of the squirrel (The Squirrel's Birthday)

1995 - Maybe they knew everything. 214 stories about the squirrels and other animals (Maybe They knew everything: 214 Tales of the squirrel and Other Animals) (Tellegen includes a CD where clause reads a number of stories)

1996 - Letters to anybody else (Letters to No-One Else)

1996 - The discovery of honey (The Honey Discovery)

1996 - The atrophy of the elephant (The Shrinking Elephant)

1996 - Evening (Evening)

1997 - Doctor Deter (Soap Doctor)

1998 - My adventures V. Swchwrm (My Adventures Through Swchwrm V) (first published as Children 's gift)

1998 - The birthday of everyone else (Everyone elses Birthday)

1999 - The healing of the cricket (The Healing of the Cricket)

2000 - They were still asleep (They're Still Sleeping)

2001 - Cake Book (Cake Book)

2002 - Is not anyone angry? (Nobody Has Mad?)

2004 - Suddenly the elephant (The Elephant Suddenly Turned On)

2006 - The loneliness of the hedgehog (The Loneliness of the Hedgehog)

2007 - Post for all (Mail for Everyone) (illustrations by Mance Post)

2007 - Animal Stories by Toon Tellegen & the changing tone quintet (Animal Tales by Toon Tellegen & the Variable Tone Quintet) (Audio CD)

2007 - I will never forget you (I'll Never Forget You)

2008 - Tomorrow was the party (Tomorrow Was the Festival). With illustrations by Ingrid Godon.

2009 - The departure of the ant (The Ant's Departure)

2009 - Everyone was there (Everyone Was There)

2009 - But not from the heart. Animal Stories farewell. (But Not From The Heart: Animal Tales about Fare Wells)

2009 - With heart and soul. Animal Stories for each party. (With Heart and Soul: Stories For Every Animal Festival)

2009 - A cheer. Pet Stories full of comfort. (Heart Ning Animal Stories)

2009 - After the heart. Animal Tales of friendship.

2009 - Get well soon. Animal Stories about illness and health.

2009 - Good night. Animal Stories about sleep and sleep.

2009 - Good trip. Animal Stories about departure and arrival.

2009 - Take heart. Animal Stories of sadness and loneliness.

[edit]Prose

1989 – Langzaam, zo snel als zij konden

1994 – Twee oude vrouwtjes (illustrations by André Sollie)

1998 – Dora. Een liefdesgeschiedenis.

2000 – De trein naar Pavlovsk en Oostvoorne

2000 – Enkele onwaarschijnlijke aantekeningen van Dante Alighieri bij het schrijven van zijn goddelijke komedie

2002 – Brieven aan Doornroosje

2008 – Een nieuwe tijd – Grafisch Nederland 2008, novelette

[edit]Poetry

1980 – De zin van een liguster

1981 – De aanzet tot een web

1982 – Beroemde scherven

1984 – De andere ridders

1985 – Ik en ik

1987 – Mijn winter

1989 – In N. en andere gedichten

1991 – Een langzame val

1992 – Een dansschool

1994 – Tijger onder de slakken

1998 – Gewone gedichten

1996 – Als we vlammen waren

1997 – Over liefde en over niets anders

1999 – Er ligt een appel op een schaal. Anthology

2000 – Gedichten 1977-1999. Collected poems.

2000 – Kruis en munt

2001 – De een en de ander

2001 – Een man en een engel. Uitg. Landgraaf, Herik; circulation of 399 copies.

2002 – Alleen liefde

2002 – Wie A zegt. Gedichten

2004 – Minuscule oorlogen (niet met het blote oog zichtbaar)

2004 – Daar zijn woorden voor. Anthology. Edition by Rainbow pockets.

2005 – ...m n o p q...

2006 – Raafvogels

2008 – Hemels en vergeefs

[edit]Drama

1966 – Jimmy Walker. Debut.

1980 – Wespen

2007 – Leven met een onbekende.

2009 - Twee oude vrouwtjes.