For children aged four and up, author Najiba Abdellaoui read from her latest picture book Mir en de muusjes (en de mooiste mislukking ooit). Then it was time for action, because all children could take part in the workshop “Make your own muusje” (small muse) given by Yara Ruby, who illustrated the book.

In Mir en de muusjes, Mir has the most wonderful idea ever. But then the idea disappears. In search of his lost idea, Mir tumbles into the wonderful world of the 'muusjes' (small muses). Who are these nine extraordinary creatures? And what do they have to do with his idea? A story full of warmth and colour about creativity, courage and the magic of creating together.

Yara: ‘In the workshop, I explain how I illustrated the Muusjes and why they look the way they do. Each Muusje has a different creativity and character. The children then make their own Muusje using collage techniques and drawing or painting.’

This was a joint programme by Writers Unlimited Festival and Theater en Filmhuis Dakota as part of the Nationale Voorleesdagen (National Reading Days) 2026. Reading aloud is the most enjoyable and effective way to help children develop their language skills and vocabulary. During the National Reading Days, we turn this into a big celebration.

Najiba Abdellaoui is a writer and translator of children's books and a poet. Since August 2025, she is Tilburg's City Poet for two years. Her career as a poet began in 2000 when she won the El Hizjra Literature Prize and the Kunstbendeprijs. In 2008, her first children's book, Nasim en Natalie, which she wrote together with Pieter Feller, was published, and she won the Dutch Poetry Slam Championship. She has written children's books including Mir en de muusjes (4+), Lachen! (6+) and Het sleutelbos (10+). Najiba regularly gives workshops to children and young people to help them tell their own stories and write poems.

Yara Ruby is an illustrator working in Rotterdam. Her illustrations are characterized by their cheerful colors, a light sense of humor, her playful approach and quirky and lively characters. Her work is recognizable by the use of lines; she does not hesitate and usually keeps drawing without lifting her favorite tool: the pencil. Assignments include editorial illustrations for magazines and small businesses, designs for paper goods like prints and packaging, and drawings on windows of beautiful shops. You can also find her live drawing during events such as festivals, shop openings and educational programs. She also teaches drawing and painting to children during workshops. She illustrated the children's picture books Boumy by Elma Zijderveld and Mir en de muusjes (en de mooiste mislukking ooit) by Najiba Abdellaoui.


From 22 to 25 January 2026, Writers Unlimited International Literature Festival The Hague was to be found in theatres, libraries and schools throughout the city: from Theater aan het Spui, Filmhuis Den Haag, GR8 to Theater Dakota, Curaçaohuis, the Laakkwartier, Nieuw Waldeck, Schilderswijk and Ypenburg libraries, the Institute of Social Studies and De Haagse Hogeschool. With over 100 writers, poets, spoken-word artists and musicians from the Netherlands and abroad. With readings, prose, poetry, storytelling, spoken word, author interviews, topical talks, films and music.