What adventures await when a mischievous little Dutch mouse named Klaas pays a visit to his Opa at the Century Home in Orange City? Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy the twists and turns when Klaas embarks on a scavenger hunt in a 125-year-old historic home.
Orange City, Iowa – The children’s book “Klaas and the Century Home” is being released by the Orange City Dutch Heritage Boosters (DHB) on November 25, just in time for the holiday season.
The story focuses on Klaas, an adorable, yet slightly mischievous mouse, whose adventures in the Century Home unfold during a visit to his Opa who lives there. The children’s tale follows the little mouse’s invitation from his Opa to learn more about Dutch culture, as well as history of the house and the families who lived there. From the minute Klaas drops in through the mail slot, to the last page where he learns a special lesson, his adventures are sure to please.
The charming story was written by DHB board members Janie Van Dyke, Kim Starkenburg and Ann Minnick. “We are so excited for both children and adults to join Klaas on his adventure through the Century Home,” said author Janie Van Dyke.
Members of the DHB board, which owns and maintains the Century Home, were looking for a way to celebrate the home’s 125th anniversary in 2025. “We thought it would be fun to share the stories of the home and Orange City with the next generation. We are educators who love books, and so the story of Klaas was born,” said Van Dyke. The delightful, full-color watercolor illustrations are by local artist Hope Geissert. The storybook includes a glossary of Dutch words and is available to order on Amazon by searching the title.
Books will also be available for purchase during the Sinterklaas Celebration at the Orange City Town Hall on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. and at the Dutch Heritage Boosters booth at the Orange City Christmas Market on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Watch the DHB Facebook page for additional details.
About the Dutch Heritage Boosters:
The Dutch Heritage Boosters is a volunteer group organized in 1986 to promote and maintain the Dutch heritage early settlers of Orange City brought to the town. The group maintains the 1880s era Little White Store and The Century Home built in 1900. They also sponsor Sinterklaas Dag each December, as well as the Dutch Heritage Walk and the Parade of Flags during Tulip Festival. The volunteer group may be best known for the poffertjes they make and serve from The Little White Store each Tulip Festival and on other special occasions. In 2024, the group brought an exclusive tulip – Oranjestad DHB – to the United States. For more information, visit their website at dutchheritageboosters.com.
About the Illustrator – Hope Geissert:
I love every avenue of creativity I can find in this beautiful world.
In middle school my grandma noticed my affinity for the arts and started giving me lessons in painting. We made oil paintings together and I will always cherish this time together and the technical foundation it gave me as an artist. Fast forward to college and I chose Art as my major. I loved taking every art course I could get my hands on and ended up with a triple emphasis major consisting of graphic design, fine arts, and art history.
Throughout my time as a student in both high school and college, I had the opportunity to create a wide range of art to grow my skillset. I explored oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting as well as drawing, sculpture, photography, and web design. Watercolor has always been dear to my heart and one of my strongest skill areas so I chose this medium to bring Klaas and the Century Home to life. I am currently an Art Director at Staples Promotional Products which has allowed me to grow my digital creative skillset. This gave me a unique ability to work with my art in a digital form as well.
My family loves to celebrate our Dutch heritage and I’ve grown up around the Tulip Festival celebrating it every single year of my life. It’s something that’s dear to my heart and gave me a personal investment in bringing this story to life. I have a one-year-old son who got to wear his first Tulip Festival costume this year. His costume and the images I took of him at the festival served as my inspiration for designing Klaas and all his movements throughout the book.
Opa’s representation in the book is inspired by my own Grandpa Kramer. Opa is a lively mouse who’s seen participating in many activities throughout the book much like my own energetic Grandpa.
My goal in illustrating this story was to pay homage to the beautiful details of the Century Home. I sought to represent it accurately and respectfully while infusing a bright and lively color palette that makes children’s books so fun. I hope
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