The Boy Who Lost His Voice
with Ellen van Schoten (Illustrator)
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Pub Date Oct 27 2026 | Archive Date Dec 9 2026
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Description
A singing voice is something magical—a gift that can enchant the world. But what happens when it disappears?
For Willem, an eleven-year-old boy from Delft, Netherlands, that question becomes all too real. When his voice is suddenly lost, he sets out on a quiet, searching journey that leads him far from home—across the sea to England and Wales.
Along the way, he wanders through ancient streets and encounters magnificent old buildings and historic places, brought vividly to life through 130 original black-and-white drawings, illustrated by Ellen van Schoten.
The Boy Who Lost His Voice is a poetic tale of loss and wonder, where images and words intertwine, and where the search for a voice becomes a journey into imagination itself.
A Note From the Publisher
Ellen has been drawing her entire life. From the age of thirteen to eighteen, she took drawing lessons at Debutade in Hoorn, her birthplace. In 2024, she decided to pursue her art more seriously: she launched her own website, began digitising her work, and started focusing on storytelling through imagery.
Storytelling runs in her blood. Her father would invent new tales every night at bedtime, nurturing her love of fantasy, rhythm, and imagination. These cherished memories inspired her to begin writing and illustrating her own stories.
The Boy Who Lost His Voice is her debut book as an illustrator and storyteller—a poetic journey through familiar places in Delft, England, and Wales, where image and text intertwine to create a rich, immersive experience.
Advance Praise
“The Boy Who Lost His Voice is a wonderfully charming and beautifully written and crafted book that combines storytelling, history, music and art in a truly original way. [...] Ellen van Schoten's exquisite original drawings bring every scene vividly to life, adding another layer of beauty and imagination to an already captivating tale. A delightful celebration of music, place, and self discovery.” — Oliver Tarney, composer
"Author and illustrator Ellen van Schoten brings her artistry to a deceptively simple story that evolves into a coming-of-age parable that requires its readers to make connections that unearth a more complex tale." — Readers' Favorite
"Ellen van Schoten creates a heart-warming story of a young boy’s adventure to find his missing voice. Her lively writing and stunning illustrations in The Boy Who Lost His Voice light up Willem’s journey through enchanting places. Van Schoten’s charming style combines images and words for an exciting, magical experience. The book’s appealing and heartfelt presentation makes it an essential addition to any collection!" — Sonja Koch, author of Bookends of Life
"Part travelog, part allegory, The Boy Who Lost His Voice is a delightful story which starts in Delft, in the Netherlands and takes the reader through various cities in England and Wales. Beautifully illustrated by the author, the reader is pulled into the story of Willem, the boy who lost his voice, and his travels in search of it. A truly enchanting book." — Russell Gerney, author of The Methuselah Project
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798901745120 |
| PRICE | $15.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 176 |