The Book of Everything

Amsterdam, 1951. Thomas Klopper is aged 9, nearly 10. He sees things others don’t see – a
hailstorm in summer, tropical fish in the canals, a plague of green frogs…and Jesus. And in his
diary, The Book of Everything, he writes his greatest hope for the future: ‘When I grow up, I’m
going to be happy.’
Thomas’s father is severe and sometimes violent, trying to insulate his family from the world
outside their strict Christian faith. Mr Klopper says the bible is the book of everything that
matters.
Thomas’s odd imagination is his way of dealing with his secret misery. He finds strength through
his down-to-earth chats with Jesus, his love for Eliza-with-the-leather-leg, and the support of
rebellious bike-riding, trouser-wearing Auntie Pie and neighbourhood ‘witch’ Mrs. van
Amersfoort. She shows Thomas the power of music and books, and he learns that happiness
begins with no longer being afraid