''Pinkeltje'' (known in English as Fingerling) is a fictional character from the eponymous children's book series by the

Dutch Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands ** Dutch people as an ethnic group () ** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship () ** Dutch language () * In specific terms, i ...

writer Dick Laan. Pinkeltje is a white-bearded

gnome A gnome () is a mythological creature and diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, introduced by Paracelsus in the 16th century and widely adopted by authors, including those of modern fantasy literature. They are typically depict ...

and wears a pointed hat and is as big as a pinky finger, hence its name, meaning "fingerling" (literally "little pinky") in Dutch. Twenty-nine books were published in a series between 1939 and 1977. The last four volumes appeared posthumously. A successful film was also released with the same title and based on the books.

Book series

The early stories focus mainly on Pinkeltje's adventures in the Grote Huis (Big House), inhabited by a father, a mother, a nameless boy and an unnamed girl (originally a boy and two girls). Pinkeltje doesn't appear to the residents, but is always ready to help them in silence. Later, the emphasis shifts to his adventures in Pinkeltjesland from where he originates and is married to Pinkelotje. In the last books, Pinkeltje emerges as a detective and helps solve crimes. The books have drawings of Rein van Looy. Other characters include the dog Wiebelstaartje; the cat Snorrebaard; and the five mice characters Knabbeltje, Grijshuidje, Zwartsnoetje, Kraaloogje and Langstaartje. Another Wolkewietje, a cloud, is as big as an arm. Although Pinkeltje is always helpful and friendly to everyone, he never shows to people because he does not know if he can trust them. The main exception is Mr. Dick Laan himself, to whom Pinkeltje appears and tells his adventures. The series included: #''De avonturen van Pinkeltje'' (1939) #''Pinkeltje en zijn vriendjes'' (1949) #''Pinkeltje op reis'' (1950) #''Pinkeltje in Artis'' (1952) #''Pinkeltje en het grote huis'' (1953) #''Pinkeltje op zoek naar Klaas Vaak'' (1954) #''Pinkeltje in

Madurodam Madurodam () is a miniature park and tourist attraction in the Scheveningen district of The Hague in the Netherlands. It is home to a range of 1:25 scale model replicas of famous Dutch landmarks, historical cities and large developments. The par ...

'' (1955) #''Pinkeltje gaat naar Pinkeltjesland'' (1956) #''Pinkeltje en de flonkersteen'' (1957) #''Pinkeltje ontmoet Wolkewietje'' (1958) #''Wolkewietje is ondeugend geweest'' (1959) #''Een grote verrassing voor Pinkeltje'' (1960) #''Pinkeltje en de raket'' (1962) #''Pinkeltje en de gouden pen'' (1963) #''Pinkeltje en de parels'' (1963) #''Pinkeltje en de aardmannetjes'' (1964) #''Lach jij maar, Pinkeltje'' (1965) #''O! o, die Wolkewietje toch'' (1966) #''Het grote avontuur van Pinkelotje'' (1967) #''Pinkeltje en de boze tovenaar'' (1968) #''Pinkeltje en de autoraket'' (1969) #''Pinkeltje en de ijsheks'' (1970) #''Pinkeltje en 10 spannende verhalen'' (1971) #''Pinkeltje en het gestolen toverboek'' (1972) #''Pinkeltje en het verdwenen kindercircus'' (1973) #''Pinkeltje en de spannende avonturen om de gouden beker'' (1974) #''Pinkeltje op zoek naar de maandiamant'' (1975) #''Pinkeltje en de Bibelebonse pap'' (1976) #''Pinkeltje op zoek naar de vurige ogen'' (1977) #''Pinkeltje in de

Efteling Efteling () is a fantasy-themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands. The attractions reflect elements from ancient European myths and legends, fairy tales, fables, and folklore. The park was opened on May 31, 1952. It evolved from a ...

'' (Studio Dick Laan; 2014) #''Pinkeltje in het

Rijksmuseum The Rijksmuseum () is the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch arts and history and is located in Amsterdam. The museum is located at the Museum Square in the borough of Amsterdam South, close to the Van Gogh Museum, the S ...

'' (Studio Dick Laan; 2015) #''Pinkeltje in het Dolfinarium'' (Studio Dick Laan; 2016) #''Pinkeltje in het Spoorwegmuseum'' (Studio Dick Laan; 2017) A special book ''Pinkeltje – het verhaal van de film'' was published in 1978 to accompany the film.

Book adaptations and translations

Starting 1995, the book series was republished in an adaptation by Suzanne Braam and new illustrations by Julius Ros. Translations of Pinkeltje have been made in

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, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish and Icelandic.

Film adaptation

'' Pinkeltje'' (1978) was produced by P. Hans Frankfurther, and includes Emmy Lopes Dias, Aart Staartjes, Wieteke van Dort, and Lex Goudsmit. A soundtrack was also released with vocals of Harrie Geelen and Joop Stokkermans.

References

{{reflist Book series introduced in 1939 Dutch novels 1939 novels Characters in children's literature Dutch children's books Series of children's books Gnomes in popular culture Dutch novels adapted into films Literary characters introduced in 1939 Male characters in literature