White Ravens: hohler

3 books      

Germany (German) - 1993 - 89
Hohler, Franz (text)
Berthold, Matthias (illus.)
Dr. Parkplatz
(<Proper name>)
Ravensburg: Maier, 1992. 63 p.
(RTB Kinder- litaratur)
ISBN 3-473-51830-1
doctor - advice - outsiders/community - suc- cess/envy - helpfulness - imagination - children's book
Dr. Parkplatz is a doctor - of linguistics. The people in the village erroneously think that he is a medical doctor, however. Before he has made sense of this connection, he has already helped many of his visitors by giving good advice. Naturally without demanding payment. Thus he raises the ire of the medical profession and is supposed to leave the city, particularly after quite inexplicable occurrences are observed in his vicinity. - The cabaret artist Hohler attacks the predicaments of foreigners and outsiders with verve and success in this unextravagant book. (8+)

Germany (German) - 1996 - 85
Hohler, Franz (text)
Loosli, Arthur (illus.)
Tschipo in der Steinzeit
(Chipo in the Stone Age)
Ravensburg: Ravensburger Buchverlag, 1995. 190 p.
ISBN 3-473-34283-1
Dream - Reality - Time travel - Stone Age - Language
Chipo dreams that he lives in the Stone Age. Patiently and with much fantasy he tries to get to know the stone age men's a way of life, though it is very strange to him. In particular their language is incompatible with his own rich, modern-day vocabulary. Hence he turns to creating words by using (somewhat linguistic) techniques of onomatopieia to explain the advantages of cooking and the possibilities of modern technology to the cave men. This is a charming story full of wit and subtle connotations told in an easy-going, unconventional narrative style. (10+)

Special Mention - Germany (German) - 2001 - 82
Hohler, Franz (text)
Berner, Rotraut Susanne (illus.)
Wenn ich mir etwas wünschen könnte
(If I had three wishes)
München : Hanser, 2000. 30 p.
ISBN 3-446-19819-9
Girl - Dissatisfaction - School - Looks - Wish - Magic
Barbara feels she is ugly, bad at school and has no friends. One night, when a fairy actually grants her three wishes, this is what she comes up with: a pair of blue sneakers, a red pen and a parrot. It must have been a very clever fairy (even though she had to push a few sighs at such nonsense). For with her new shoes Barbara runs as fast as Erich – who becomes her friend. With her new pen she can write without care and mistakes – which wins her the favours of the class mates. The parrot pays her compliments which makes her more beautiful every day. What a wonderfully careless message for a picture book completely free of pedagogical pedantry: kids, get real and wish to your heart's content! Then – perhaps – secret wishes may come true all by themselves. Colourful pictures full of detail contribute to the cheerful overall impression of this book. (8+) ☼