Region: Germany

Materials from Germany

Crusade in Jeans

Fifteen-year-old Dolf uses a prototype time machine and gets stuck in the Middle Ages. Trying to find his way back to the twentieth century, he joins a children’s crusade of almost ten thousand children on their way to the Holy Land. Dolf helps the children defy the terrible mountains, conquer disease and fight evil knights. [...]

Other Descriptors: Europe, Fantasy, Netherlands, Science Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

An Elephant in the Garden

Lizzie and Karl’s mother is a zoo keeper; the family has become attached to an orphaned elephant named Marlene, who will be destroyed as a precautionary measure so she and the other animals don’t run wild should the zoo be hit by bombs. The family persuades the zoo director to let Marlene stay in their [...]

Other Descriptors: Europe, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Helpful Elves

When the lazy people of Cologne go to sleep, the helpful elves do all their work. They measure and saw for the carpenter, knead and mix for the baker, carve and chop for the butcher, taste and pour for the winemaker, and snip and sew for the tailor. But no one ever sees them. Until [...]

Other Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Europe, Fantasy, Picture Book » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Magic Wool

Activities with unspun sheep’s wool, also known as magic wool, offer a wide range of creative possibilities for both children and adults. In this book Dagmar Schmidt and Freya Jaffke combine their talents and experience, and show how to create beautiful pictures, as well as table-top scenes featuring figures and animals. They explain the process [...]

Other Descriptors: Europe, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Nonfiction » Leave a comment

Magic Wool Fairies

Unspun sheep’s wool, also known as magic wool, is a warm vibrant material, perfect for making these beautiful soft figures. Christine Schafer includes detailed instructions on making fairies and angels for every occasion: flower fairies for a seasonal nature table, fairies for birthday celebrations, guardian angels to watch over a crib and, of course, a [...]

Other Descriptors: Europe, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Nonfiction » Themes: » Leave a comment

Little Fairy Can’t Sleep

Faith, the little fairy, can’t get to sleep. It’s a lovely summer’s night and magic is in the air, so she flies off to see who else is still awake. Faith meets a mother fox and her young cubs, who can’t get to sleep, an elf father whose children can’t get to sleep, and the [...]

Other Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Europe, Fantasy, Picture Book » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

The Other Half of Life

A heartbreaking novel based on the true story of a World War II voyage.In May of 1939, the SS St. Francis sets sail from Germany, carrying German Jews and other refugees away from Hitler’s regime. The passengers believe they are bound for freedom in Cuba and eventually the United States, but not all of them [...]

Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Cuba, Historical Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Auslander

When Peter’s parents are killed, he is sent to an orphanage in Warsaw, Poland. But Peter is Volksdeutscher-of German blood. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he looks just like the boy on the Hitler Youth poster. The Nazis decide he is racially valuable. Indeed, a prominent German family is pleased to adopt such [...]

Other Descriptors: Europe, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Poland » Themes: , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Tom Thumb

A stunning collection of Grimms’ tales from bestselling author and illustrator Eric Carle! Eric Carle brings to life four tales written by the brothers Grimm with his gorgeous illustrations and charming retelling of the classic stories. These tales capture the interest and imagination of children and adults alike, showing that while we might wish and [...]

Other Descriptors: Europe, Folklore, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , » Leave a comment

Hansel and Gretel

A retelling of the well-known tale in which two children lost in the woods find their way home despite an encounter with a wicked witch who wants to eat them.

Other Descriptors: Europe, Folklore, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Themes: , , , , » 1 Comment