Lena Zeise

How the Cat Came to Us

Wie die Katze zu uns kam
Of Cats and Men.

Egyptian deity or shipboard mouse catcher, heroine of fairy tales and myths or beloved pet: it is impossible to imagine our lives without cats! For many thousands of years, they have had a place in our homes, yards and hearts. We accompany the cat on its foray through world events - from the hearths of our Stone Age ancestors to its celebrity appearance in millions of YouTube clicks .
This book gives a fascinating account of the many ways those velvet paws came to us - and have stayed until today! Innovative comic strips complement the informative text and animate the stories of these whiskered protagonists in an entertaining way.

Lena Zeise

Balto and Togo - The Run to Nome

Balto & Togo
Alaska, 1925. In the dead of winter, an epidemic has taken hold in the small city of Nome. Isolated as it is by snow and ice, the only way the city can obtain much-needed medication is by dogsled.
For 650 miles dog drivers and their teams of sled dogs, depending completely on each other, fight heavy snow and ice storms in a race against time. The “Serum Run to Nome”, as this real event became known, captured the world’s attention well beyond the Alaskan border.

Lena Zeise’s retelling and illustrations of this true story of wilderness survival makes a breathtaking tale of companionship, courage and the unique bond between the dog drivers and their teams.
Mehrdad Zaeri, Werner Holzwarth

Winter of the Squirrel

Der Winter des Eichhörnchens
The Happiness of Not Finding!
Squirrel is young, and life is beautiful! Gathering nuts, burying them, and having a good winter - no problem at all!

Then, squirrel grows old. Gathering nuts and burying them takes a lot of energy. Finding the nuts again is an even bigger problem - especially when one forgets what one was looking for! It's enough to make a squirrel tired, a little sad, even angry!

Then, everything starts to make sense again.

Mehrdad Zaeri's magical illustrations invoke the inner life of a squirrel. A positive parable of life in this picture book story written by Werner Holzwarth.
Kathrin Wolf, Isabel Kreitz

In an Old House in Berlin

In einem alten Haus in Berlin
In 1871 the Schwartz family, keeper of a pharmacy, proudly moves into their new house – a house that will showcase German history and everyday life in Berlin for the next 150 years. We follow the family through five generations and witness with them the days of Empire and World Wars, and the building, then the fall, of the Wall. And throughout, we see the constant activity of its children: Karl and Martha, Ursula and Peter, and Laura and Ben. We look on as the events of the wider world shape their own lives.

Detailed pictures teeming with activity and informative captions make history easier to grasp, and bring Berlin to life!
Henrike Wilson: Ganz schön langweilig!
Henrike Wilson

Pretty Darn Boring!

Ganz schön langweilig!
A little bear trots through the forest and isn’t quite sure where to go. He’s bored and
no one has time for him- everyone’s busy. At last, he lies down on the forest floor
and decides to do nothing- absolutely nothing. And even though he isn’t occupied,
lots of things are happening. Slowly but surely he begins to feel calm and his senses
begin to awaken. He begins to pay attention to the sounds around him and to feel,
see, sense, and discover more and more. His head feels free, his curiosity is
awakened, and lots of new ideas begin to come to him. Entertained and restored, he
starts off on his next adventure.
In a time in which even kindergartners need weekly planners and everyone always
has something to do (at least on a tablet or the like), Henrike Wilson remembers the
value and necessity of boredom and free, unstructured time, and pays homage to
these with vivid visuals. The ability to enjoy aimless time can be so fulfilling.

Rights sold to China, USA, Spain, Italy

Henrike Wilson

Squirrel Finds a New Home

Eichhörnchen zieht um
It’s springtime! Squirrel wakes up from its winter sleep full of energy and purpose, and is amazed to see flowers in front of its usual nest opening. How can that be? Flowers in the middle of the treetops? Mouse knows: a storm blew the
tree over last night. So squirrel has to find a new place to live! Squirrel’s garden companions offer to share their homes.

That’s nice, but squirrel needs a cozy place of its own, so the search begins for a new home in the most beautiful tree in the garden – and there, squirrel finds a delightful surprise!

This is a story of helping hands and friendship, garden creatures and the magic of springtime, in a warm-spirited, richly illustrated new book by Henrike Wilson.
Henrike Wilson

Felix and His Monster

Felix und sein Monster
Monster Alert!

Felix would be content with life, and with himself, if he just weren't so afraid! He often has this feeling that something scary is lurking ahead. He gets spooked easily and then he worries about what the other kids will think of him. Then one day he gets into a terrible rage about this fear he can't shake. He takes it out in wild scribbling on a piece of paper. What's left is a monster! A super-cool monster!

Henrike Wilson writes with great sensitivity about finding the courage to face one's fears. A book about courage and friendship - and a very special monster!
Henrike Wilson: Fünf Nüsse für Eichhörnchen
Henrike Wilson

Five Nuts, Squirreled Away

Fünf Nüsse für Eichhörnchen
It's fall! The leaves whirl in the wind and the squirrel is beginning to stockpile nuts for the winter. So far, five nuts have been gathered. The squirrel wants to hide them where no one will find them. It does so with great enthusiasm and finds excellent hiding spots. However, it was working with such zeal that it, unlike the reader, didn't notice that other animals were watching the whole time. When winter comes and everything's covered by a thick blanket of snow, the cheerful little squirrel tries to gather its nuts—only to find that the first four have apparently grown legs and escaped! Luckily the fifth and best nut (the one with the tiny hat!) is still there in its fantastic hiding place.
So it's no problem that the other animals helped themselves to his supply.
A book about the art of finding pleasure in what you do have instead of worrying about what you don't. But this is also a story about garden animals and the changing of the seasons, with all its many marvels—lovingly told with atmospheric illustrations by Henrike Wilson.

Rights sold to China, Denmark, France, Spain and Korea

Henrike Wilson: Ich war einmal abends...
Henrike Wilson

I Was Sitting in My Room One Night...

Ich war einmal abends...
„I was sitting in my room one night, all snug and comfy, when there was a knock on
the door. Now, who might it be …. my friend!“
Now, that’s as snug and promising a beginning to a never-ending book as one could
wish for, isn’t it? The bear gets a visit from the fox, who is in turn visited by the
hare, the squirrel goes to see the hare and is visited by the owl. And the owl? Well,
the owl is comfortably ensconced in her wing chair knitting happily away until
Kingdom come. But who could ever be in need of such a long scarf as this? Well, if it
isn’t her friend, the big brown bear, whom we’ve already met at the very beginning!
Henrike Wilson’s cosy pictures tell a story that is no less exciting for being simple,
and which never really comes to an end. Not only will the readers enjoy guessing
who it might be now knocking on the door, but they’ll be amazed at what all those
animals of the forest will get up to of a night, how and where they live, and how glad
they are to have their friends over. This is a great book about friendship, and about
the art of storytelling - you couldn’t ask more for a bedtime story!

Right sold to China, Faroe Islands, Hungary, Korea, The Netherlands/Belgium, Slovenia and Spain

Silke Vry, Claudia Lieb

The Dinosaur at the Rock. The Adventures of the First Bone Hunters.

Der Dinosaurier im Fels
Who discovered Tyrannosaurus rex?

A twelve-year old girl stands alone on the rough cliffs of southern England and taps rhythmically with a hammer against the rock; two renowned scientists compete for a discovery in a »fight to the bones«; one day, a young adventurer peeks into the empty eye sockets of a Tyrannosaurus rex... this book tells the suspenseful stories of the first fossil hunters. At a time when most people still believed that the Earth was just a few thousand years old, and few imagined that giant prehistoric lizards once ruled the planet, these hardy pioneering researchers were literally prying dinosaur bones out of the rock – and proving just the opposite to a skeptical world.
With many illustrations, fossil and research profiles, and appendices.
Silke Vry, Martin Haake

Sunken Cities, Forgotten Cultures Great Archeologists and their Discoveries

Verborgene Schätze, versunkene Welten
What could be more exciting than to bring remnants of bygone times-buried cities, archaic cultures, ancient treasures- to light?

This large nonfiction book takes us along into the exciting world of archaeology. The lively narration invites us to join the scholars on their journey and learn everything about the most significant archaeological finds of the past 500 years, including the discovery of the Mayans, the ancient sports stadium Olympia, the grave of Tutankhamen, and the Terracotta Army in China. We run into many of the people who laid the groundwork for modern archeology (Heinrich Schliemann, Robert Koldewey, and Johann Winckelmann) and learn about the pioneering archaeologists of today (Thor Heyerdahl and Franck Goddio). The adventurous stories behind these great discoveries also familiarize us with the exciting excavation techniques used in the process. The large-format, collage-like illustrations help us delve even deeper into the adventure of archeology.

Rights sold to Romania, China and Korea

Julie Völk

A Time When Wishing Still Helped

Zur Zeit, wo das Wünschen noch geholfen hat
Grimm's Fairy Tales as seen by artist Julie Völk - A Magical Masterpiece

This selection of stories unites familiar and beloved tales with a few others that deserve to be discovered anew. Julie Völk guides us through enchanted waterways, through thick forests and breathtaking mountain landscapes; she shows us magical gardens and pauses while we marvel at secret cottages and mighty palaces.

There are strange creatures to discover, along with clever girls and boys; witches playing tricks, and yes, even the Devil is at work. Just as the tales themselves enter our dreams, make us shiver and sometimes cause us to laugh out loud, the illustrations cast their own spell. In numerous vignettes and colorful larger scenes, Julie Völk presents the stories anew in her own unique style. She references the familiar while calling our attention to new details. This treasury of stories becomes, in the best sense, a gift to all - children will discover countless details, and in the red-and-white vignettes they will "read" the stories on their own; more seasoned readers will be surprised by new perspectives. The pictures, like the stories, allow us to travel back in time, but they remain modern and fresh. The unique environment created by these intimate, yet powerful pictures will enchant young and old alike.
Julie Völk: Wenn ich in die Schule geh
Julie Völk

Going to school

Wenn ich in die Schule geh
A girl and her little brother leave to go to school. Because the walk feels shorter and more fun with a larger group of people, they gather more and more children along the way. The reader is lucky enough to meet all of these different people and their equally different homes.
 
The path to school leads through a springtime birch forest to the river where the fishing family lives, past the farm, past the fields leading towards the city, past the auto repair shop, the circus tent, the bakery, and the pet shop, until it finally ends at the school. And the teacher? Oops – he overslept and is in a big hurry. Anyone who sets off down the path again will see him rushing off to school in the background.
 
Julie Völk’s illustrations depict the appeal of changing landscapes and the colourful diversity of people. Without the use of text, they show the importance, social function, and fun of going places on foot.

Rights sold to Brazil (Portuguese Worldwide)

Julie Völk
Kleine Schwester, große Schwester
Ada is still small. Small ears, small nose, small hands, small feet. Just like a little sister. And as it is with little sisters, their little heads are full of big ideas. On Monday, Ada decides that she would rather be a little elephant. With a big trunk. On Tuesday, she wishes she had the matching elephant ears to go with it, and so it continues merrily through the week. But suddenly, when something goes wrong for Ada the elephant, she's gone or is she?
Julie Völk tells the story of two sisters in clear, reduced images with bright color accents. In doing so, she cleverly combines "pretend play" with the relationship between the two. As clear and focused as the story is, as strong is the homage to play and the childlike imagination.
Julie Völk

Rainy Dragon Days

Drachenregentage
How a Cozy Rainy Day Led To an Exciting Trip to Dragonland

Actually, Toni and the dog wanted to spend the rainy day on the sofa - with pillows and cocoa and books. Then the doorbell rang and in walked Fred, an elegant dragon and a great friend, carrying an umbrella. Fred needed to pee, but Toni's loo was much too small for a dragon. What to do? Toni and the dog offer suggestions, but none of them seem right for a dragon with style. After all, who has ever seen a dragon peeing against a tree? No one! Fred has to deal with it, because it's becoming urgent. So he sweeps up his friends and sets them on his back for a flight to Dragonland, where there are magnificent floating pagodas . . .

Julie Völk's atmospheric picture worlds are not just an homage to cozy rainy days. The artist manages to tell a witty dragon adventure story while addressing a need that we all, not just dragons, sometimes have when we need to find a private place to go.

Sold to Brazil and New Zealand (English World Rights)

Einar Turkowski: Aus dem Schatten trat ein Fuchs
Einar Turkowski

Out of the shadows stepped a Fox

Aus dem Schatten trat ein Fuchs
“Out of the shadows crept a fox”... this is how Einar Turkowski's new masterpiece begins. For the first time ever, he combines his unique pencil drawings with colour. He takes the viewer on a search for happiness in his very own visual language. The fox roams through the night and a bird of paradise joins him. Both are colourful, both are looking for something, and neither one is quite sure where he’s going.
The landscape sometimes seems enchanted and reassuring, other times forbidding and threatening.
The night is still young, still long. But the more it advances, the more power it gains. The wanderers are close to losing heart and close to giving in to the dark mood. But the colour has been waiting to be found. It shows itself and gives the fox new courage for facing life. And the bird? He too finds his place and enchants us with his sad songs.
Einar Turkowski

The Moon Flower

Die Mondblume
In an old stone house on an island, there lives a man. Every day he traces the meandering paths, steep steps and hidden corners of his garden. One evening, in his favorite place in the garden he discovers a new plant. The man is eager to know what kind of plant it is, but he can’t find the plant in any of his gardening books. He nurtures and cares for the plant, and it begins to grow and sprout leaves, then one day it produces a huge bud. The man waits patiently for the bud to open.

He keeps the plant company at tea-time, and even puts on a play for it. But the bud stays closed – until the night of the full moon . . .

Einar Turkowski’s delicate penciled masterpieces reveal even the tiniest detail. Even though the pictures are in black and white, they are rich with nuance and they suggest a richly poetic world that transports and amazes the reader.
 

Rights sold to Italy, Taiwan, China, South Africa, Sweden, Spain (Spanish and Catalan), Belarus and Turkey

Kirsten Traynor, Carim Nahaboo

Leaving Home

Der große Schwarm
A Field Trip with the Bees!

Henrietta is a scout, a so-called field bee. Though she spent her youth inside the hive working, now she has a big responsibility outside - she has to find a new home for the bee colony! The colony has grown too large for the many worker bees to survive. And so Henrietta leaves home with a huge swarm --thousands of her sisters. But where will the bees find a new home?

Dive into the fascinating world of bees and join them on their journey! Bee expert Kirsten Traynor knows lots of amazing stories about a largely unknown part of these fascinating insects' lives. Accompanied by wonderful illustrations, these stories bring the bee colony to life.
Karsten Teich: Paul und Opa fahren Rad
Karsten Teich

Grandpa goes for a bike ride

Paul und Opa fahren Rad
Paul is spending his summer holiday with Grandpa in the country.
Grandpa’s great – but life in the country sure isn’t! No Internet, no cinema – Grandpa doesn’t even have a car! But then the two find a red folding bicycle in a ditch on the side of the road. They work together to fix it up. The tires need to be patched and the chain oiled, and of course it needs working brakes and a bell. Paul also has to get a helmet.
Finally they’re ready and Paul and Grandpa ride uphill and downhill on the path to the lake.
Not even a flat tire can stop them now!
In this heartwarming and humorous picture book, children learn all the essentials about owning and riding a bicycle. It’s a grandfather and grandson holiday adventure for bike-lovers great and small!

Rights sold to Slovenia and Russia

Karsten Teich: Paul und Opa zelten
Karsten Teich

Grandpa goes camping

Paul und Opa zelten
Paul is on vacation with grandpa in the country. Grandpa's house is so cozy! Paul doesn't like to go outside. There are all kinds of things that prick and sting thistles, nettles, insects. Besides, the sun is shining way too much! But when the house is suddenly full of wasps, the two seek refuge in the nearby forest with their tent. A whole new world for Paul! What are the strange pegs for? How do you make a fire for
dinner? And why is it so quiet in the forest?
A new fun adventure with Paul and Grandpa, where children learn a lot about nature and everything about camping!
Jens Sparschuh, Julia Dürr

Jakob's Shell

Jakobs Muschel
When Jakob holds his shell to his ear, he hears the sound of the ocean. And when he closes his eyes, he can even see it. One day, while he’s sitting on the jungle gym between the apartment buildings, who shows up but Jonas — Jonas the cool kid with the expensive tennis and sharp tongue who always picks on him. Quick as a flash, Jonas swipes Jakob’s shell.
While Jonas takes one look down and, frightened of falling, holds on tight with both hands, Jacob closes his eyes, listens to the reclaimed shell, and suddenly he can see him: Jonny the pirate, the notorious thief of the high seas. With that wart on his nose, he sure looks a lot like Jonas. A storm closes in and the pirate ship goes down. Unfortunately not all of the pirates can swim. Does Jonas know how? A humorous story about little tough guys, big dreamers, and the power of the imagination.

(One might consider changing the names to more similar English spellings: Jacob, Jonas, Johnny)
Jens Sparschuh, Julia Dürr

Julia and Her Little Great-Grandfather August

Julia und ihr kleiner Urgroßvater
Why Great-Grandfather August Wears Blue and White Socks and Can Dance Like a Champion

When Julia arrives in Gross Neuendorf, August is waiting for her at the bus stop. Joyfully he tosses his hat into the air. "We'll do something special every day!" he says happily. Julia likes to sit on the bench in August's workshop watching him as he works. August tells her about earlier times - like when he was a ferryman on the river. Sometimes Tim comes to visit. Then they all go fishing. When August gets tired, Julia sits on his bed and tucks him in. Back in school, Julia's thoughts often return to August. One afternoon in October Julia and her mother return to Gross Neuendorf. Lying on the hat rack is a cross with a bow . . .

A lovely story about the things that bind together the very young and the very old.
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Ilka Sokolowski, Sophie Schmid: Wir feiern durch das ganze Jahr
Ilka Sokolowski, Sophie Schmid

Celebrating Throughout the Year

Wir feiern durch das ganze Jahr
The Great Book of Holidays and Traditions

What does “Rosenmontag” have to do with roses? When is “the Tag des Buches”? Why do Christians celebrate Christmas? The answers to these and many other exciting questions can be found in this colorful non-fiction book for the entire family: across 112 elaborately illustrated pages, it offers a wealth of background information and suggestions for the nicest regional, national, and international holidays and traditions. Included are arts & crafts tips, recipes, poems, and folk wisdom for the most important Christian, Jewish, and Muslim festivities. Old and new traditions throughout the year are waiting to be rediscovered and celebrated.

This is a lovingly designed manual for browsing through. It’s perfect for families, schools, and preschools. With this book, almost every day is a holiday!
Ilka Sokolowski, Janine Czichy

Discovering the Wadden Sea

Wildes Leben im Watt
With a seemingly endless horizon, the
rhythmic roar of breaking waves, fresh sea breezes and tangy salt air, it’s no wonder that the Wadden Sea -- part of the North Sea –
is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. On shore and under water, on the tidal wash, on
the dunes and in the air, there is a teeming diversity of life everywhere.
With vivid and lifelike illustrations this nature book introduces readers to the wide variety of Wadden Sea lifeforms and their respective habitats: the tiny North Sea shrimp, the swift Arctic tern, the nimble harbor seal, and countless others.

Many of these creatures can be spotted during a shore hike or while wading in the Wadden. The book tells where and how to look for them
Ilka Sokolowski, Janine Czichy

Wild Life on the Meadow

Wildes Leben auf der Wiese
The Meadow is Alive - And How!

Have you ever seen a meadow up close? Then you know that it's full of things that creep, crawl, and buzz! But meadows are home not only to insects and spiders, but also birds, mammals and reptiles. Do you know, for example, where a harvest mouse builds its nest, or how long marmots sleep?

This non-fiction book for children shows us very special meadows like the Alm and the fascinating Feuchtwiese. We learn about meadow orchards, alpine meadows, pastures, swamps, wildflower meadows and wildflower strips. Every meadow is home to its own special plants and animals. Short descriptions and lifelike drawings brings us closer to the varied life of the meadow. And several viewing tips help us identify one hidden animal or another!

And for someone who wants to grow their own meadow, there are tips for laying one out - even a small wildflower meadow on the balcony!
Frank Schwieger, Janna Steimann: Erik, der Wikingerjunge
Frank Schwieger, Janna Steimann

Eric, the Viking Boy

Erik, der Wikingerjunge
A farm on the Baltic Sea, ca. 950. Erik‘s brother Leif, who took off on a Viking voyage months ago ready for adventure and hungry for loot, still hasn‘t returned. Erik sets off
for the big Viking port He- deby in search of his brother, but no one there has heard any news of Leif or his ship, the Whale Rider. Just as Erik is beginning to give up hope, a
dragon ship appears on the horizon.

We accompany Erik on his journey and learn what the Viking community looked like, which gods they worshipped, why the raids they led with their fast ships were so
successful for such a long time, and why they loved hair combs. We attend a Viking feast, watch a ship being built, and look over the shoulders of merchants and craftspeople.
An atmospheric non-fiction picture book about these legendary northeners and about the successful outcome of an adventurous journey. With impres- sive illustrations and
exciting information about the life and culture of Vikings, who, contrary to their reputation, were not only menacing pirates but also farmers, merchants, seafarers, and
explorers.
Frank Schwieger, Anne Bernhardi

Richard at the Knight's Castle

Richard auf der Ritterburg
The year is 1189 and we are in the deepest Middle Ages - a time of knights, castles and peasants. Eleven-year-old Richard is a peasant boy and lives with his family in a small village. Richard's parents are serfs of the knight Kunibert, and they are barely getting by. One night the village is attacked by robbers and the family's four pigs and chickens are stolen. A catastrophe! How are they supposed to pay their taxes and get through the winter? Then Richard has a bold plan: he'll go to Knight Kunibert and ask him for help. Secretly, he sneaks out of the house and sets off. On the way he meets wandering bathers, journeymen on the road, monks, jugglers and pilgrims - and Agnes, Kunibert's daughter! Agnes, who is anything but a spoilt damsel, decides to help Richard. An exciting medieval adventure begins!
With many illustrations and factual information about the Middle Ages.
Frank Schwieger, Anne Bernhardi

Julia in Ancient Rome

Julia im Alten Rom
A suspenseful paper chase through the Eternal City

In the year 64 CE, eleven-year-old Julia is on a mission. In the metropolis of Rome, which is home to millions, she must locate Daniel Maltinus, the one doctor who can save her severely ill father. What follows is a race against time that takes Julia from her home in exclusive Esquilino to the senators at the Roman Forum, to the Subura, the poor people's quarter, and then to the Emperor's Palace. With Julia leading the way, we learn about the lives of the ancient Romans, the history of their immense Empire, and the famous landmarks of the ancient city: the temples, theaters and baths, the Circus Maximus and the Gladiator School. We even meet Emperor Nero himself!
Christiane Schwabbaur, Henrike Wilson

Happy Penguins

Pinguin im Glück
Joy is Contagious!

It's the scene at the Pole: a penguin standing. Here comes another, wearing a scarf. Then another, with a cap. They stand together that way as the winter wind blows. Then comes another, passing all the others by. One that follows its beak and clearly has a goal in mind. That runs and does a cannonball splash into the blue water, just for fun! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Luckily, joy is contagious, and pretty soon all the penguins are romping around in the water, splashing and snorting. We'd love to join them.
It's hard to imagine a funnier, more focused depiction of a transformation from gloom into pure joy and happiness. Warning: it's contagious!
Christine Schulz-Reiss, Claudia Lieb

World Religions

Das Hausbuch der Weltreligionen
Why do Hindus worship plants and animals? Why do Buddhists practice yoga? Why don‘t Jews switch on electric light on a Sabbath? What do Christians celebrate when they take the Eucharist, and what is written in the Quran? Each of these five major religions is a colorful world of its own, opaque and mysterious for outsiders. This opulently designed book bids us enter these worlds and affords a vivid picture of their contents and peculiarities.
Written in a gripping, plastic manner, it reacquaints the reader with what he thought he knew, providing in-depth analyses as well as background information about these alien faiths, showing in the process that, for all their differences, these major religions have a lot in common.
Multiple award-winning illustrator Claudia Lieb has devised a breathtaking visual language which is bound to turn this book into a bibliophile gem.
Stephanie Schneider, Henrike Wilson: Tambo, der kleine Elefant
Stephanie Schneider, Henrike Wilson

Tambo der kleine Elefant Midi-Ausgabe

Tambo, der kleine Elefant
Stephanie Schneider, Henrike Wilson: Tambo, der kleine Elefant
Stephanie Schneider, Henrike Wilson
Tambo, der kleine Elefant
Tambo is thoroughly fed up with always being the smallest. After all, he’s an elephant! He will prove to everyone how big he is. He will scare a tiger away! He and his friend the bird prepare the courage test. But no one shows up, not even a tiger. With drooping ears, Tambo sadly trudges back to the herd. There they all are, the big elephants. And there’s his Mom. Big and grey and dear as always. Next to her, a newborn elephant baby looks at Tambo full of curiosity. Now Tambo feels all the way down to the end of his trunk how wonderful it is to be a needed and looked up to as an older brother. And he thinks it’s grand that he’s no longer the littlest in the herd!

Rights sold to Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, China Also available as a boardbook edition!

Lena Kathinka Schaffer: Wir gehen zur Schule!
Lena Kathinka Schaffer

We Go To School! From Kenya to America

Wir gehen zur Schule!
When children in Germany go to school, they walk; ride a bike, scooter, or skateboard; come by bus or public transport; or their parents or guardians bring them with the car. But in some parts of the world, it's very different! Some children come by sled or by boot and sometimes even ride horses to school. In some regions there is no school building at all: classes take place outdoors or in a clay hut, with children aged six to sixteen all together.
 
In this book, we accompany children from different countries and cultures on their way to school. We see where they live, what they eat, and even what happens in their classrooms. School is an exciting thing for children all over the world, no matter if you're in Papua New Guinea or India, Switzerland or Argentina, America or Kenya—or even at the edge of the North Pole!
 
This informative, colorfully illustrated non-fiction book teaches preschoolers and primary school students a bit about how children in other cultures live and learn in a fun and engaging way.
Dirk Reinhardt

Train Kids

Train Kids
The 14-year-old Miguel leaves his village in the Guatemalan mountains to find his mother. Years ago, she left him and his sister Juana to work in the United States. She has stayed in this far-away land for many years, never coming back, although she has been promising to do so again and again. But Miguel doesn’t want to be put off anymore. He needs to find out about his mother’s disappearance. Has she stopped loving him and his sister?
With a heavy heart Miguel leaves his sister behind and starts out on a long northbound journey. At the Mexican border he meets others who have the same destination: mysterious Fernando, little Ángel, smart Jaz and silent Emilio. They decide to take a chance together. All of them are driven by their longing for the people they have lost and by their hope for a better life.
Freight trains are the only way to cross Mexico. And soon Miguel and the others realize that they are part of a much bigger trek rolling northbound. Thousands of people are travelling as blind passengers on the trains, facing many risks. One false step when jumping on the train, one unattended moment on the roof, one careless slumber at night and their lives might be over. Corrupt police men and greedy robber bands are hunting them. They are suffering from thirst and hunger, from the heat in the jungle, the coldness in the mountains and the drought in the desert.

Rights sold to Mexico, Spain (Spanish and Catalan), Japan and Slovenia

Dirk Reinhardt

Over the Mountains and Over the Sea

Über die Berge und über das Meer
Every year in spring, the nomads stop by Soraya's village on their way to their summer home in the Afghan mountains. Accompanying them is Tarek, who knows sheep better than anyone else and is a wonderful storyteller. But this year Soraya waits for him in vain. According to an old tradition, as the seventh daughter in her family, she was raised as a boy and was able to move freely and attend school. But as a 14-year-old, she has reached the age where she should be living as a girl again in the quiet of her home. In fact the Taliban has, in no uncertain terms, mandated that she do so. They have also threatened Tarek and expect him to put his excellent animal tracking abilities to work for them. The nomads' plight worsens dramatically. Tarek and Soraya can see no other way and each journey out into the world, without knowing where the other is or what they're doing. Unexpectedly, they cross paths in the mountains.
Stepha Quitterer, Claudia Weikert

Pepe and the Octopus - Escape from the Waste Mafia

Pepe und der Oktopus auf der Flucht vor der Müllmafia
Let's Escape The Waste Mafia!

An eleven-year-old boy and an octopus are on the run from the waste mafia. Men in magpie-blue suits, brutal profiteers, want to get rid of the octopus, which the sea animals have sent out to convince people to stop dumping their plastic waste into nature and to ban plastic altogether.
A wild, constantly surprising and funny chase halfway around the world, a thrilling road trip, realistic environmental thriller and a story of an extraordinary friendship.

Linguistically witty, fast-paced, original and told with a modern sensibility – the new story by Stepha Quitterer is a must-have for all young fans of James Bond and Indiana Jones!

Stepha Quitterer

A Beginner's Guide to Improving the World

Weltverbessern für Anfänger
Mina’s school announces an essay competition: A Beginner’s Guide to Improving the World. Really!?
First prize – a trip to Tallinn, Estonia
– goes to the class with the most enthusiasm for the subject. That leaves Mina cold at first. But then her grandma goes into a nursing home and all of a sudden it’s clear where a person could have a clear impact on someone’s
daily life.

So Mina organizes a nursing home visiting service – not an easy assignment for a class that even the school psychologist avoids.
What’s more, she has to deal with toxic classmates, a failed romance, boring teachers and her parents’ split-up.
After a rough start, what follows is a total surprise, not just for Mina . . . !
This bold and pitch-perfect debut novel by Stephanie Quitterer sets off ideas like fireworks.
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk: Der kleine Seehund und das Meer
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk

The Worls of Seals

Der kleine Seehund und das Meer
It is spring and a tiny seal is born on a deserted sandbar in the shallows. Shortly after its birth, it enters the water and joins the other seals. Everything is so new and exciting! It meets all the different sea creatures from the starfish to the porpoise and learns how to dive and catch delicious herring. The baby seal soon becomes an elegant swimmer and skillful hunter, ready for new adventures.

In the appendix, readers great and small can learn about where to watch seals, how to behave around them, and what can be done to protect these precious animals.
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk: Schau mal, ein Marienkäfer!
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk

Look, A Ladybug!

Schau mal, ein Marienkäfer!
Look! Who’s crawling over there?
In the first rays of springtime sunlight, a ladybug is emerging from its hiding place. From this point on we accompany this living good luck charm through the year. We observe its development from larvae to __ and to fully-grown beetle, learn that the little insect is good at defending itself from predators, and come to understand why the ladybug likes to spend time with gardeners. We can even peek under its polka-dotted wings!

Under the fold-out pages there are lots more facts about the seven-pointed ladybug and its colourful relatives.

With fold-out pages
With a discoverer’s journal and fact sheet
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk: Ich bau dir ein Haus, kleine Wildbiene!
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk

I Build You A House, Wild Bee!

Ich bau dir ein Haus, kleine Wildbiene!
Along with the first flowers of spring come the wild bees, looking for just the right place to raise their young.

In this richly detailed nonfiction picture book, readers of all ages will learn about the mason bee and its growth from egg to adult, about the life of other wild bees like the bumblebee, and the important role wild bees play in nature. Between the covers of this book there is much to discover about the life cycle and diversity of wild bees, relatives of our familiar honeybee.

At the conclusion of the book there are step-by-step instructions for building a nest platform for wild bees so the reader can watch them up close.
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk: Schau mal, eine Schnecke!
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk

Look, A Snail!

Schau mal, eine Schnecke!
Hey, a snail shell! Children love discovering snails, those little climbing acrobats who carry their own houses on their back. In this book, we follow a land snail on its slow journey through the garden: what does it eat? How do little snail babies grow up? And what’s all that slime for?
Among the fold-out pages is lots more exciting and fascinating information about the land snail and its relatives.
We learn what a snail king is and why snails can creep upside-down and even over razorblades without getting hurt.

• With many fold-out pages
• Comes with a snail explorer’s journal
• A lovingly illustrated nonfiction picture book about a seemingly inconspicuous animal with astounding abilities
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk: Ich bau dir ein Haus, kleiner Igel
Bärbel Oftring, Jana Walczyk

I build you a House, little Hedgehog!

Ich bau dir ein Haus, kleiner Igel
A hedgehog roams through Hannah and Paul's garden! How exciting! The children want to know more about the little spiny animal and its way of life: What does it like to eat? Are they allowed to feed it? What does it do in autumn and winter? And when are the baby hedgehogs born? In this richly illustrated picture book, young and old readers can learn all about this endangered native wild animal.

The flaps reveal exciting information about the hedgehog and how you can protect it. With the step-by-step instructions at the end of the book, readers can build a house to shelter a hedgehog all year round.
Bärbel Oftring, Theresa Schwietzer: Bären
Bärbel Oftring, Theresa Schwietzer

Bears

Bären
In this non-fiction picture book, we follow a female bear through the seasons - foraging, hibernating, and raising her offspring.
Along the way, we learn about the distribution of brown bears, about the bear's body and food, and what to watch out for when in an area frequented by bears. And what to do if you actually encounter a bear.
On panoramic gatefold pages we learn everything about bears - and what conditions are necessary for bears and humans to coexist.
The book is conscientiously researched by biologist Bärbel Oftring and accurately and beautifully presented by Theresa Schwietzer.

Bärbel Oftring, Theresa Schwietzer: Wölfe
Bärbel Oftring, Theresa Schwietzer

Tracking Wolves

Wölfe
While this is cause for delight among many nature lovers, it's cause for concern and fear for others. The wolf has grown unfamiliar: this beautiful native animal was forced out of our forests for many years. How can we rethink our relationship to wolves now that the number of wolf packs in Germany and neighboring countries is increasing?
Following the belief that understanding is the
way to conquer fear, this atmospherically illustrated fact-based book introduces the reader to the life of a family of wolves.

We trace the footsteps—or paw prints—of a young wolf, see how a wolf pack is initially formed, learn about life within the pack, and experience how the next generation of wolves leaves the pack and sets out on its own. Inside the large-format flaps there are attractive infographics and texts that explain facts about wolves' biology and how to interact with them.

With 10 large flaps that open in all directions
Contains many facts about the biology, life, and behavior of wolves, as well as maps that show its habitats in Germany and Europe.

All rights available

Bärbel Oftring, Isabel Müller: Schau mal, eine Spinne!
Bärbel Oftring, Isabel Müller

Yuck! Spiders!

Schau mal, eine Spinne!
“Gross, a spider!” Gross? Really? Take a closer look. Spiders are actually fascinating and have very special abilities.
In this lovingly illustrated nonfiction picture book, children can observe how a garden spider spins her artful web, how she goes hunting, mates, and lays eggs- and how, finally, the tiny spider babies hatch and are taken by the wind on a long journey.
The foldout pages hide even more interesting information about the garden spider and its eight-legged relatives: how can you tell the difference between males and females?
What is a spider web actually made of? The book includes a discoverer’s journal that invites young readers to do their own spider research.
Maja Nielsen, Sophie Schmid

Maria Sibylla Merian

Maria Sibylla Merian
The Famous Naturalist - Profiled for Children

In 1699 Maria Sibylla Merian travels to the tropical rainforest in Surinam. Accompanied only by her daughter Dorothea, she commences her great ambition: observing and drawing insects in every stage of their development. For years, Sibylla has been fascinated by the way caterpillars transform into gorgeous butterflies. This book recounts the childhood of the famous artist and naturalist; of her courageous journeys into ancient forests, and of the origin of her stunning books that even today have no equal.

Simple text boxes contain facts and background details appropriate for young readers. Lively illustrations stimulate our interest in the magical world of insects and the life of an unusual, self-confident woman.
Maja Nielsen

The Tunnelbuilder

Der Tunnelbauer
Berlin 1961: Things couldn't be better for Achim - he has his Abitur in the bag, a place at university is
secure and Chris, the girl he secretly loves, seems to like him too. But everything changes overnight with the building of the Wall, the GDR regime takes a tougher tone. Distrust, persecution and arrests are the order of the day. When one of his friends ends up in prison, Achim makes a difficult decision he must get out of East Berlin and leave everyone he loves behind. Once on the other side, he does everything he can
to help people escape from the GDR. Together with other helpers, he digs tunnels from West to East Berlin in constant fear of being discovered by the Stasi and full of hope that one day he will see Chris again.
A gripping novel about the legendary tunnel escapes from the GDR, based on a true story.
Maja Nielsen

A Crime in Eden 1919

Tatort Eden 1919
From Breckerfeld to Berlin! The 17-year-old Biko can hardly believe his luck. He actually got into the famous Artistenschule, a training academy for circus performers in Berlin! An old suitcase in the lost and found at the Artistenschule sends him 100 years back in time to a tumultuous time in Berlin – the era of the First World War, the November Revolution, and the murder of Rosa Luxemburg.
A Crime in Eden in 1919 – a genuine political crime story begins. But modern-day Berlin is also very exciting: As the son of an African, Biko is presumed to be one of the many refugees who've arrived in the city. And all of a sudden, he finds that there is much more at stake than his dream of being a performer ...
Daniel Napp: Das schlaue Buch vom Büchermachen
Daniel Napp

How to Make a Book?

Das schlaue Buch vom Büchermachen
This picture book brings us behind the scenes in the process of bookmaking. Daniel Napp, himself a successful author and illustrator of picture books such as Dr. Brumm
or Bauer Beck, depicts all of the steps in the process of making a book. By the last page, the reader ends up with a finished product. With this book, even small bookworms and bibliomaniacs can come to understand the meaning behind words like “proof” and “imprimatur” and to grasp what editors, manufacturers, printers and booksellers go through to bring us a beautiful new book.

Rights sold to Brazil, Belgium/Netherlands, China, Japan and Korea

Thomas Müller: Ein Jahr mit den Störchen
Thomas Müller

A Year with the Storks

Ein Jahr mit den Störchen
Who doesn’t know and love this elegant red-stockinged bird? In many countries the stork is considered a bearer of good luck. In this illustrated nonfiction book we get to know “Master Adebar” very well as we accompany him on his journey through the year: we see how he builds his nest on the roof of the barn in springtime and how he then raises the hatched chicks with his mate. Then we tag along with the young storks as they fly to Africa for the winter and accompany them a couple of months later on their dangerous return home.
With expert, feather-light brushstrokes, Thomas Müller acquaints us with the lives of this large and beautiful bird. The narrative section is supplemented with additional valuable information about black storks, cranes and herons.

Rights sold to France, Denmark, The Netherlands/Belgium, Spain, China and Latvia