Children's Books

Imagine a child asks you to read them a book. You grab the current best-selling children's book off your shelf and start reading. As the child snuggles against you, you read them rhymed stories of children who burn to death, starve to death, get their fingers chopped off - all, of course, accompanied by bright, colorful illustrations depicting such details. (By the way, did I mention that this book is intended for three to six year olds?) This world renowned book is none other than the 19th century German classic Der Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann. Translated into English as Slovenly Peter by Mark Twain, this book has also been translated into 34 other languages.

The creation of Der Struwwelpeter

Heinrich Hoffmann, a doctor, who was disappointed by the selection of children's books available at his time, penned and illustrated this book in 1844 for his three year old son as a Christmas gift. It was published a year later under the original title Lustige Geschichten und drollige Bilder mit 15 schön kolorierten Tafeln für Kinder von 3–6 Jahren (Funny Stories and Whimsical Pictures with 15 Beautifully Coloured Panels for Children Aged 3 to 6).

Stories in Book

The book contains nine short stories about misbehaving children and one about a rabbit with a hunter's rifle. The stories have a very strong moralistic tone to them: because of misbehavior, the children suffer terrible consequences and in two of the stories, the children even die. (To view the book online complete with pictures see Der Struwwelpeter)

Influence of Der Struwwelpeter

Der Struwwelpeter has had so many spinnoffs made from it, so many in fact, that there is a term for this: Struwwelpeteriaden. Everything from musicals, plays, popular songs from rock bands, book adaptations such as Die Struwwelliese, Struwwelhitler have been written. Even some character names in the book have become staples in German speech, such as Zappelphilipp (to describe an overactive child), Suppenkaspar (a child who refuses to eat his food) and Hans-Guck-in-die-Luft (an absent-minded child).

If you haven't read this book yet, just be happy you didn't read it as a child. Most people either love it or hate it. Either way, this classic is part of German culture that will continue to delight and frighten generations to come.

See also:
Complete German Version of Der Struwwelpeter
Excerpt of Der Struwwelpeter - Die Geschichte vom wilden Jäger (with an English translation and comprehension exercise.)