5 AUSTRIAN CHILDREN'S AUTHORS ALL KIDS SHOULD KNOW

Today is the Austrian National Day. What better opportunity to introduce you to some amazing children's books authors from Austria! All of these authors have written many great books that have become modern classics.

Mira Lobe

VALERIE UND DIE GUTE NACHTSCHAUKEL

The one book probably all Austrian children know is DAS KLEINE ICH BIN ICH by Mira Lobe, a story about a little colorful creature who doesn't know who or what he is. Mira Lobe is the doyenne of her field in Austria, she wrote about 100 other children's books.

My personal favorite is VALERIE UND DIE GUTE-NACHT SCHAUKEL. Great rhymes and pictures about a little girl that doesn't want to go to bed and imagines being a captain, farmer, circus director, train engineer instead.

Ages 3 and up.

Heinz Janisch

ICH HAB EIN KLEINES PROBLEM, SAGTE DER BÄR

Heinz Janisch has been writing picture books and children's books since the 90ies. They all have a beautiful poetic language that appeal to parents for their beauty, and kids love, too. For his various books he has received many literary awards.

ICH HAB EIN KLEINES PROBLEM is the story about a bear, who wants to tell people of his problem, but nobody listens. Still, everybody knows what is best for him..

4 years and up

Ernst Jandl / Norman Junge

OTTOS MOPS

Ernst Jandl strictly speaking is no kids' books author, but an acclaimed poet, known for his experimental poetry. Kids love his poems (at least this one), they are funny, full of onomateipea (or Lautmalerei - so much easier to say and understand), perfect to read aloud!

OTTOS MOPS is about the dog otto and his owner. Sometimes the dog refuses to listen, other times he hides under the table when his looks for him on top...

5 years and up

Erwin Moser

JENSEITS DER GROSSEN SÜMPFE

Erwin Moser just died last week. He is known for his incredibly endearing illustrations in his picture books as well as his very authentic, honest and realistic children's books for older children that have become classics.

JENSEITS DER GROSSEN SÜMPFE is the later. It is about the seemingly endless summer break of Erich and Erwin, 10 years old, somewhere in the Austrian countryside. When they find a big pile of comics in a forlorn attic, they spend the days there, start dreaming of being with its comic hero somewhere in the jungle. But then the comics disappear and Erich and Erwin are plotting the revenge,,,

9 years and up

Christine Nöstlinger

KONRAD ODER DAS KIND AUS DER KONSERVENBÜCHSE

Another author probably every Austrian has read, is Christine Nöstlinger: she writes for children from about 6 years and up,

written with a good understanding for the sorrows and needs of children and teenagers with no obvious aim to educate them or push some morals on them. Most of her books are very realistic, depicting every day life instead of action, while never being boring or dull.

KONRAD ODER DAS KIND AUS DER KONSERVENBÜCHSE is a little different: Konrad is a rather unrealistic kid or rather he is different from all other kids. He was delivered by mail, is super tidy, always polite and conscientious. Frau Bartoletti didn't even order him and is actually annoyed by his need for tidying up. But when the factory offers her to return him, she changes her mind, she will keep him forever.

8 years and up