"Congratulations, dear Maria Friedrich!" On the 100th birthday of the founder and publisher of dtv junior

Maria Friedrich (1922-2012) became a children's book publisher by chance. The development of dtv junior from 1971 to 1990 was her life's work. With the backing of the shareholder publishers, she established a successful children's book programme and set her own accents with series such as dtv pocket, dtv Lebensbilder or dtv Schreibschrift.

A special concern of her was the promotion of young illustration. While still a publisher, she began introducing students to illustration and the children's book market at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. Many illustrators expressed their gratitude for this commitment by donating originals or limited edition prints with personal dedications to Maria Friedrich. In this way, a considerable collection came together.

On the occasion of her 100th birthday, the family is donating Maria Friedrich's very personal collection to the International Youth Library, which is also a cross-section of German picture book illustration since the 1970s. A selection of the most beautiful pictures from this collection will be on display in the anniversary exhibition together with important book editions from the early dtv junior programme.

Exhibition opening on 4 July, 7 pm