Have You Forgotten that Baby Goats Exist
Hopeful poems about the big and small joys in life
This collection of 52 poems is a reminder to young and older readers alike that, however tough life can be, there are so many things around us that can spark joy. And what could be more joyful than a baby goat?
“I play a happy song,
give you a pear
chopped into little hearts,
gently run my fingers over your back, through your hair,
and suddenly think of the best reason
to get out of bed and dance to those notes.
Did you forget
there’s such a thing
as baby goats?”
Most poems in this new collection by Pim Lammers are about love, about things that brighten up life, about things that comfort us. Love for that great-aunt who’s becoming forgetful, for a best male friend who’s now a girl, enjoying spending mornings with dad, and plucking up the courage to say you’re in love. There’s a silver lining to everything.
Pim Lammers doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, describing them with sincerity, humour and optimism: from losing a mother to climate change and the refugee crisis. His work is characterised by a dedication to diversity, a defiance to be different and a belief that every day is worth living. Nadia Meezen’s charming illustrations add a delicate, dreamy touch to these gentle poems.
52 poems for readers aged 8 to 11
Light-hearted, hopeful poetry about life’s big questions
Beautifully illustrated by Nadia Meezen
Pim Lammers (b. 1993) is one of the most important and innovative voices in the Dutch-language children’s books landscape. Lammers won a White Raven award for 'De boer en de dierenarts', about the love between two men. Pim’s debut Het lammetje dat een varken is, featuring illustrations by Milja Praagman, came out in 2017 and won a Zilveren Griffel, making him the youngest ever winner of the award. In 2025, Lammers won another Zilveren Griffel for Een ongelofelijk grote, ongelofelijk gevaarlijke leguaan, a picture book about a little boy who is at first embarrassed by his ordinary family that turns out to be quite extraordinary. His work, which focuses on diversity, also includes books for young readers, 10+ and poetry .