5 Questions for … Sigrid Zeevaert

Sigrid Zeevaert has enjoyed a remarkable 40-year career as a freelance author. Since her days as a student at RWTH, she has written an impressive selection of children’s and young adult books, as well as radio programs, plays, and screenplays. Her work has reached readers around the globe, with many of her books translated into multiple languages and honored with prestigious awards, including the Zurich Children’s Book Prize, the Sankei Children’s Book Award (Japan), and the Friedrich Bödecker Prize for her life’s work. Sigrid Zeevaert began her journey as an elementary education student at RWTH.

1. What is your current professional role, and what tasks define your daily work?

For nearly 4 decades, I’ve worked as a freelance author, specializing in children’s and young adult literature, as well as radio, children’s theater, and children’s films. I also write general fiction. My days are filled with writing—ideally every day—and I often travel for readings and workshops across the German-speaking world.

2. To what extent did your time at RWTH Aachen inspire you to pursue your current career?

My teacher education and German studies at RWTH were instrumental in shaping my career, as they gave me countless opportunities to connect with, analyze, and develop a keen awareness of language and literature through different approaches. A pivotal moment was writing a preliminary version of my first book, “Max, mein Bruder,” as part of my thesis—an experience that paved the way for my career as a writer and set me on the path to self-employment. The theoretical section of my thesis, which involved reflecting on the writing process, was also highly valuable to me for my future work.

3. What is your fondest memory of your time at RWTH?

I cherish the opportunities for exploration, cultural and political learning, and the many community initiatives that defined my time as a student. There was a spirit of innovation, critical engagement, and collaboration that went beyond academics—a student life truly shaped by critical thinking and active participation, and sometimes even a willingness to step in uninvited.

4. What are your plans and goals for the future—professionally and/or personally?

I aspire to continue this work for many years to come by pursuing projects that challenge and fulfill me, while hopefully staying connected to younger generations.

5. You have been writing children’s books since your student days. Have the themes you explore in your books changed over the years?

Most of my books are told from the perspective of young people, exploring the pivotal moments and experiences—both joyful and challenging—that shape our lives. While the stories are almost always realistic, the themes have both evolved and remained constant over time. Children and teens have always had a unique lens on the world and the future, but it’s clear that their perspective today is very different from what it was 20 or 40 years ago. This generation faces tremendous challenges and is already wrestling with big questions. I’ve also found that history resonates deeply with them. Here, literature is uniquely positioned to breathe life into the past, reaching young readers on both an intellectual and emotional level where dry facts often fall short. At its heart, my work is about strengthening young people’s sense of self, encouraging empathy, and embracing differences. The ways we can tell stories of life and coexistence are endless—but for me, it’s essential that my writing has depth and strives for honesty. The element of literary artistry is also central to my work, and I hope it will always remain an important part of what I do.