Switzerland (German)
102
Hartmann, Lukas (text)
Kaergel, Julia (illus.)
Leo Schmetterling (Leo Butterfly)
Zürich : Nagel & Kimche, 2000. – 62pp
ISBN 3-312-00888-3
Boy - Awkwardness - Wish - Fulfillment - Imagination - Identity
It is Leo's greatest wish to be a butterfly. One day, his parents even have to disentagle
him from an artificial cocoon fabricated from woolen strings. Fortunately, the little
birthday man is wise: he sets Jonas a few trials to solve and then, finally, he fulfills
his dream: Or did the other children only dream of seeing a beautiful blue butterfly? Be
that as it may, Leo's life has changed: He now knows what it feels like to float, even
without a butterfly's wings. With the help of this story young outsiders will understand
that it is possible to solve one's problems and to accept oneself with a bit of luck and
courage. (8+)
103
Hegewisch, Helga
Lilly und Engelchen (Lilly and little Angel)
Zürich : Atrium-Verl., 2000. – 319pp
ISBN 3-85535-937-7
World War II - Post war time - Young woman - Orphan - Adoption - Survival
Fleeing from the Red Army in 1945, Lilly saved an abandoned infant. Later, in Hamburg she
registered the baby as her sister Angelika. Her family manages to survive in the post war
period thanks to a good dose of ingenuity and good connections to the market.
Neighbourhood assistance is part of everyday existence – also towards a Jewish couple
– survivors of the Holocaust. But one day, the young Jewish woman claims Angelika as
her own foster child. Lilly has to make a decision. The book explores the lives of men and
women confronted with seemingly insoluble conflicts, (excessive) love of life and
desperation at chaotic times at a high level of linguistic and literary sophistication.
(14+)
104
Krauß, Irma
Rabentochter (Ungrateful daughter)
Aarau : Aare, 2000. – 192pp
ISBN 3-7941-4713-8
Adoptive child - Family conflict - Unwanted pregnancy
Corinna, now 16, was put up for adoption at the age of three and found parents and a
brother who wanted to provide her with an affectionate home. But Corinna knows nothing of
her mother, whom she adored as a little child and who, all of a sudden, walked out of her
young life. This uncertainty gnaws at her: she commits minor thefts, runs away from home
and counters her family's love with coldness. An unwanted pregnancy makes things worse
– but it seems as though life was taking a turn for the better. The author draws an
arresting and nuanced portrait of the inner strifes and outer living conditions of young
adults, fully aware of the contrasts and the variety of conflicts they have to face. (14+)
Special Mention
105
Limacher, Roland
Meines Vaters Haus (My father's house)
Zürich : Diogenes, 2000. – 138pp
ISBN 3-257-06229-x
Boy - Family - Rural life - Natural disaster - Death
A small family moves into an abandoned house by the forest. The house used to be an
orphanage:
40 children lived there, now there are only four people. But things soon change: the
grandmother, Hanna, a geologist, Oregano, a homeless man, and finally some of the former
inhabitants – by now grown up – all come to celebrate Christmas there. But the
wonderful times in the house by the forest come to a sudden and terrible end: the river
overflows and washes people to their death. This sad story is told from the perspective of
the only survivor. However, listening to him as he relates his memories to his children,
the reader will wonder at the overwhelming impression of comfort, happiness and love of
life one is left with. (14+)
106
Maar, Anne (text)
Mölck-Tassel, Bernd (illus.)
Pozor <proper name>
Zürich : Bajazzo-Verl., 2000. – [28pp]
ISBN 3-907588-16-9
Dog - Boy - Stature - Looking for a home - Training - Friendship
Pozor, the dog, is looking for a home with friendly people. But as he is so very big,
people are afraid of him. Luck turns his way when he meets tiny Lukas, who wants to join
the circus one day and trains guinea pigs in the meanwhile. When he gives a performance
with Pozor, the »ferocious animal«, and even puts his head between the dog's jaws,
everything is won: a home for Pozor, a strong friend for Lukas and a housekeeper for
Lukas's Mom. Because Pozor certainly is qualified: he can wash the dishes, do the ironing,
pass the vacuum cleaner. Life can be so beautiful! The pictures and the graphic design of
the book lead the way to a happy, somewhat quaint and quirky imaginary world. (5+)
107
Pausewang, Gudrun
Roller und Rosenkranz (Motor scooter and rosary)
Aarau : Sauerländer, 2000. – 219pp
ISBN 3-7941-4611-5
Granddaughter - Grandmother - Loneliness -Community - Creativity - Death - Love
Mimi has lost her parents in a car accident and goes to find her grandmother who knows
nothing of her existence. The strictly religious old lady lives in a little house and owns
a small, run-down shop of devotional objects. Mimi moves in, modernises the house with
youthful enthusiasm and great success, falls in love and seeks comfort, love and security.
When her grandmother dies after a fulfilled time spent together, Mimi has found her own
way. With great empathy, Gudrun Pause-wang describes an unusual, unconventional young
woman who does not capitulate to difficult personal situations on her quest for her
origins and her future. Maybe, this could be a way to reach across the generation gap.
(16+)
108
Tielmann, Christian (text)
Knappe, Joachim (illus.)
Wie Gutenberg die Welt bewegt : von der Kunst, Bücher zu machen
(How Gutenberg moves the the world : on the art of book-making)
Aarau : kbv Luzern, 2000. – 32pp
ISBN 3-276-00218-3
Gutenberg, Johannes - Book printing - Development - Spread
This attractively illustrated and well designed reference picture book extensively and
clearly informs the reader with words and pictures about the development of book printing.
Even though the possibilities of modern media are mentioned, the author expressively
focusses on the good, old book: it never crashes, it doesn't need electricity or access to
the net. A remarkable and knowl-edgeable contribution to the 600th birthday of Johannes
Gutenberg. (8+)
109
Waechter, Friedrich Karl (text/illus.)
Die Geschichte vom albernen Hans (The story of foolish John)
Zürich : Diogenes-Verl., 2000. – 92pp
ISBN 3-257-06232-x
Girl - Cat - Metamorphosis - Fool - Love - Trial - Rescue
A witch turns the entire court into cats. In a dream, the princess finds a way to lift the
spell: Foolish John, the youngest of three brothers, can help. Classical fairy tale
elements are put to use: the foolish, youngest brother who ends up marrying the princess,
trials, which seem unsolvable, but are overcome with the help of loyalty and perseverance,
the tower, emprisoning the princess, and, last but not least, many a great temptation
along the way. The author repeatedly confronts the reader with reversals and encodings of
these motifs, making this inventive story in the rare genre of a non-rhyming verse
narrative an amusing and entertaining read. (16+)