Clothes Make the Man Series: World Literature for Children Title: Clothes Make the Man Author: Gottfried Keller Retold by: Barbara Kindermann Artist: Sybille Hein Extent: 36 pp, 4/c throughout Format: 298 x 220 mm pub. price: EUR 15,50 Pub. date: Autumn 2004 German ISBN: 978-3-934029-17-0 Ages: 5 and up

Material available: German copy

THE STORY:

The Swiss novelist Gottfried Keller´s story, here charmingly narrated by Barbara Kindermann, tells about the fate of a poor taylor named Wenzel Strapinsky. Because of his elegant coat he is mistaken for a Polish count and courted by the rich. Trouble begins when the beautiful daughter of a well-respected citizen falls in love with him and Strapinsky does not find the courage to reveal his true identity. But what about the truth? Will Wenzel´s secret be found out? A real fairy-tale with a wonderful happy-ending.

THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR:

Gottfried Keller (1819-1890) is mostly known for his short-stories, which are among the best writings of the 19th century. His narration Clothes Make the Man is part of the second volume of „The People of Seldwyla“ and focusses on the not always apparent difference between appearance and reality. In this tangled tale Keller brilliantly succeeds in unmasking the hypocrisy of the middle-class.

THE ARTIST:

Sybille Hein, born in 1970 in Wolfenbüttel, has studied graphic arts at the Hamburg Academy of Art. Since 1999, she has been working full-time as an artist and illustrator of children‘s books and magazines. Sybille Hein is living in Berlin.