Janosch


Janosch is a German children's author and illustrator.
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Biography

Janosch was born as Horst Eckert on 11 March 1931 in what was then Hindenburg in Upper Silesia to a family of mixed German and Polish origin, though he identifies his nationality as "Silesian". His mother was a pious Catholic, and his father a violent alcoholic.
After World War II, the family fled to West Germany. In the area of Oldenburg, Janosch worked in a textile mill. In 1953, he went to Munich, where he studied for some terms at the Academy of Arts, but broke off his studies eventually. Afterwards, he worked as a freelance artist. In 1960, his first book for children was published with George Lentz, a friend of his, who also persuaded him to take on the penname Janosch.
By 1980, he had published over 100 books for children in nearly 30 languages. Amongst his most recognisable characters is the Tigerente that appears in Oh, wie schön ist Panama and the stories around the little tiger and the little bear. He has also published several books for adults, in which he deals with his childhood experiences of growing up with an abusive father and a God-fearing mother, constantly recurring topics being friendship, family relationships, and the quest for the meaning of life.
Between 1953 and 1980 the artist lived in Munich, and then relocated to the island of Tenerife, where he currently resides.

Awards

Among others, he has received the following awards:

Works

In German, Janosch published until today about 150 books which in part were translated into 30 languages.Die Geschichte von Valek dem Pferd. Georg-Lentz-Verlag, Munich 1960.Valek und Jarosch. Georg-Lentz-Verlag, Munich 1960.Das kleine Schiff. Georg-Lentz-Verlag, Munich 1960.Der Josa mit der Zauberfidel. Georg-Lentz-Verlag, Munich 1960.'. Parabel-Verlag, Munich 1964.Das Auto hier heißt Ferdinand. Parabel-Verlag, Munich 1964,.Böllerbam und der Vogel. Middelhauve Verlag, Cologne 1968,.Cholonek oder Der liebe Gott aus Lehm. Georg-Bitter-Verlag, Recklinghausen 1970,.Lari Fari Mogelzahn. Beltz-Verlag, Weinheim 1971,.Leo Zauberfloh. dtv, Munich 1975,.Sacharin im Salat. Bertelsmann-Verlag, Munich 1975,.Update on Rumpelstiltskin and other Fairy Tales by 43 Authors. Beltz & Gelberg, Weinheim 1976,.Traumstunde für Siebenschläfer. Beltz-Verlag, Weinheim 1977,.Die Maus hat rote Strümpfe an. Beltz-Verlag, Weinheim 1978,.

Tigerente

The Tigerente is a children's book character created by Janosch. It is a little wooden toy duck on wheels, striped black on yellow, that is pulled around on a string by various characters of Janosch's books. It never has a line of dialogue, but still has become by far the most popular figure ever created by the author. The Tigerente has since appeared on a wide range of products including posters, postcards, high school art projects, buttons, mugs, socks, umbrellas, cutlery, and nearly every item of children's furniture imaginable. It has been the namesake and mascot of the German TV show Tigerenten Club, all without ever uttering a single line.

Adaptations

The story "Oh, wie schön ist Panama" was adapted into a contemporary opera under the title "Oh, the beautiful Panama" by Lin Wang. The opera was premiered at Deutsche Oper Berlin in 2013, and was a sold-out event.