German Children’s Book Prize 2023: These are ten finalists

Shortlist
German Children’s Book Prize 2023: Little ghosts, wild animals and lots of imagination

A 32-member children’s jury will award the German Children’s Book Prize for the third time on October 14th in Nuremberg. A tricky task. How would you decide? These are the ten finalists.

Bookworms are a dying species. And things look bleak for the future too. According to the international primary school reading survey (Igloo) from 2023, one in four primary school students has problems with reading. Accordingly, there is less and less reading aloud in children’s rooms in this country. The bedtime story is increasingly left on the shelf. The stories for bookworms big and small are more colorful, exciting and imaginative than ever. In 2022, Stephanie Schneider and Stefanie Scharnberg won the title “Grimm and Carrots” the German Children’s Book Prize.

A jury has selected ten titles for the German Children’s Book Prize 2023, which will now face the expert eyes of 32 children from all over Germany. The German Book Trade Association has offered a total prize of 100,000 euros for the finalists.

And this is the shortlist for the German Children’s Book Prize 2023. Who will win the prize of 50,000 euros on October 14th in Nuremberg?

1. Kristina Heldmann: Alfred: Elephant since 1932

Toys that are passed down through generations are now a rarity. Which child today still takes care of the worn-out teddy bear that great-grandmother held in her arms every night 80 years ago? Things are different with Alfred, the wooden elephant. In 2022, the same Alfred will celebrate his 90th birthday. In nine decades, the colorfully painted wooden board with a trunk and ears has experienced many adventures, survived two world wars and brought a smile to the faces of many children. This is how the anniversary in Kristina Heldmann’s picture book becomes a colorful children’s party. Here’s the book.

2. Jochen Till: The most famous zoo school

ABC shooters know how exciting the first day of school can be. Things are even more chaotic in director Lernegern’s zoo school. Skottie accidentally ends up in penguin class. The little gorilla boy Gonzo loses sight of his excited parents in the hustle and bustle of his school day. And in general, a lot goes wrong in Jochen Till’s famous zoo school. Will Gonzo’s parents show up again? And what is there to eat in the zoo canteen? Questions upon questions in an animal-comic reading book for first graders and their parents. Here’s the book.

3. Sabine Bohlmann: Mrs. Honey and the secrets in the cherry tree

Because mom and dad often argue at home, nine-year-old Emma moves out. Your new home is a cherry tree. One day she receives a visit from Mrs. Honig. Together the two think about what to do with arguing parents. Sabine Bohlmann’s book is intended to give first-time readers a lot of fun browsing. The children are always rewarded with little stickers and wonderful illustrations. It’s about a topic that many children know from their own four walls. Here’s the book.

4. Annette Langen: Huuu-Berta – The smallest ghost of all

Ghosts are wrapped in white sheets and scare little children? What a crap. Huuu-Berta prefers to wear colorful clothes and scaring people is not her thing at all. That’s why she is the smallest in her family. It’s just stupid that Huuu-Berta still has a gap right there in her ghost ID card. So she has to surpass herself. Colorful illustrations, ghost recipes and stick-on stickers make “Huuu Berta – The Littlest Ghost of All” by Annette Laugen an ideal book to fall asleep and read for the first time. Here’s the book.

5. Lisa-Marie Dickreiter: Karlchen helps everyone, whether they want to or not

For many children, a holiday on the farm is the best holiday fun ever. But the city children Alban and Pippa have absolutely no desire for country life. And they don’t like animals either. There has to be something to be done, thinks little Karl and gives the two of them a little help. But the well-intentioned batch of stink bugs and the pot-bellied pig Umberto only get her into trouble with her mother. How can Karlchen take away her guests’ fear of animals? A fun and beautifully illustrated reading adventure for children ages 5 and up. Here’s the book.

6. Madlen Ottenschläger: Otto drives off

After “Metti Guinea Pig” In their new book, Madlen Ottenschläger and Stefanie Reich send the camper van Otto on an exciting holiday trip to Sweden. The children Juli and Gusti go on board with their parents, dog Anni and countless cuddly toys. No problem for jack-of-all-trades Otto, who also acts as a storyteller in Bullerbü to comfort little Juli. Otto and his guests experience an unforgettable summer holiday between cinnamon rolls, mysterious trolls and blueberry bushes. Here’s the book.

7. Kathleen Freitag: Valerie – Savior of Books

There should be many more who love reading like little Valerie. With her dog Sunday, the girl devours one story after another in her favorite books. During a reading night, Valerie meets the cuddly but somewhat clumsy book girl. He’s actually supposed to make sure that the book characters stay where they are, namely in the books. But two fairy-tale characters escape him – and Valerie is off on a fantastic adventure with her new friend. Double the fun for reading aloud and for the first reading exercises. Here’s the book.

8. Sophia Kimmig: Wild Animals in the City – The Nature Participatory Book

Wildlife biologist Sophia Kimmig is sending a wild city safari to take part in in the race for the German Children’s Book Prize 2023. In her nature hands-on book, young and old get to know the wilderness on their doorstep. How many wing beats does a bumblebee manage in one second? What’s on the menu at bats? Small puzzle games, stickers and surprising building instructions are sure to make many children’s hearts beat faster. Here’s the book.

9. Saskia Niechzial: Wilma Wolkenkopf

Wilma’s world is wild and bustling. The happy and fidgety girl stumbles through life full of good spirits. She tackles small and large adventures, spoons green Jell-O and whizzes around with her cat Watson. 32 colorful pages with imaginative rhymes and great drawings. A festival for bookworms and those who want to become one. In an extra, teacher and podcaster Saskia Niechzial gives parents a few little everyday tips. Here’s the book.

10. Kilian Leypold: Zari and Nivaan – The story of an escape

Kilian Leypold focuses on one of the saddest topics of our time in his new book. The siblings Zari and Nivaan have to leave their homeland headlong and try to find a new one with their uncle. Like millions of people around the world, they are embarking on the most dangerous journey of their lives. “The Story of an Escape” is a sophisticated and at the same time courageous children’s book about the loss of one’s homeland and the departure into a new life with an uncertain outcome. Nice: In a dictionary appendix, some terms are translated into different languages ​​of war-torn countries. Here’s the book.

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