# The best German-language children's books of all time

The classics from Germany, Austria and Switzerland that generations learned to read with, from Kästner and Preußler to Michael Ende.

- 4 votes · 18 items
- Jun 2, 2023 · Johanna Winkler
- https://even.best/en/l/2594/the-best-german-language-children-s-books-of-all-time

## Top 18

1. **The Neverending Story** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Michael Ende, 1979. Bastian and the land of Fantastica.
2. **Emil and the Detectives** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Erich Kästner, 1929. Children chase a thief across Berlin.
3. **The Little Ghost** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Otfried Preußler, 1966. A night ghost who wants to see the sun.
4. **Heidi** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Johanna Spyri, 1880. A girl in the Swiss Alps.
5. **Momo** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Michael Ende, 1973. A girl against the grey men who steal time.
6. **Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Michael Ende, 1960. An island, a locomotive and big adventures.
7. **The Robber Hotzenplotz** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Otfried Preußler, 1962. Kasperl and Seppel against the robber.
8. **The Little Witch** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Otfried Preußler, 1957. A young witch who wants to be good.
9. **Lisa and Lottie** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Erich Kästner, 1949. Twins swap places.
10. **Krabat** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Otfried Preußler, 1971. A miller's boy in a magic mill.
11. **The Flying Classroom** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Erich Kästner, 1933. Christmas at a boarding school.
12. **Grimms' Fairy Tales** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Brothers Grimm, from 1812. Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White.
13. **Annaluise and Anton** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Erich Kästner, 1931. Friendship across class lines.
14. **Max and Moritz** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Wilhelm Busch, 1865. Seven pranks in verse.
15. **Struwwelpeter** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Heinrich Hoffmann, 1845. Cautionary tales for children.
16. **A Week Full of Saturdays** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Paul Maar, 1973. The first book about the Sams.
17. **The Crocodiles** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Max von der Grün, 1976. A children's gang and a boy in a wheelchair.
18. **The Little Water Sprite** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Otfried Preußler, 1956. A young water sprite explores his mill pond.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.