Jong Nederland in vrijheid

Be happy and do your duty

'Be happy and do your duty' is the motto of this book for children that was published shortly after the Second World War. In Jong Nederland in vrijheid (1945), the misery of the war is briefly recalled, especially the daily worries such as food shortages and lack of fuel. After that, the joyful liberation is given full scope. Now boys and girls must show their best side and help rebuild the country. Mischief may have been necessary or overlooked during the war years, but now order must be restored.

Samuel Johan Matthijsse

Jong Nederland in vrijheid was written by Samuel Johan Matthijse. He was born on August 22, 1896 in Breukelen. In addition to his career as a teacher, he wrote textbooks for young people. He was best known for the series Open Vensters, of which many parts were published. He also wrote reading books, such as Het boek van Lies en Kees, published in four parts between 1946 and 1952. He died on November 9, 1984 in Nieuwkoop.

Jan Lutz

The illustrations in Jong Nederland in vrijheid were provided by Jan Lutz. He was born as Johannes Hermanus Lutz in Rotterdam on 11 November 1888. He mainly worked as a freelance illustrator of children's books and magazines. He also designed book covers for numerous publishers. His best-known illustrations are for De nieuwe avonturen van Pietje Bell. After the Second World War he made animal drawings for De grote dierentrek (1949) and De grote vogeltrek (1951) and the comic strip Wilko, de zoon van de Roofridder in Katholieke Illustratie (1954-1955). Throughout his working life he also accepted advertising assignments, whenever he could find the time. He died on 7 September 1957 in Laren.