Jet Boeke's Work

For over 30 years now, Jet has been making books about Tummy Tom. The first story appeared in 1978.

Jet starts with a writing a story-line, then makes the illustrations. Once those are done, she hands them to her friend Arthur van Norden, who writes the text for the books. Usually, one or two new books a year, sprout from Jet's creative brain.

Tummy Tom was inspired by Jet Boeke's own cat. However, her cat was white and since that would not go over well on TV, she made him orange. He died in 1994.

Jet also does illustrations for other writers, every now and then. Occasionally, a book from her is published which is not about Tummy Tom.

Dikkie Dik (or Tummy Tom as he is called in English) is the most famous cat in The Netherlands. His books are not only funny, but very educational as well. The escapades of this naughty orange cat have taught small children a lot.

His stories are still regularly read out loud on the Dutch version of Sesame Street. The Tummy Tom books are considered, and were declared the best-loved books, at the annual congress for Dutch day-care organizations.