Katie of Heilbronn Series: World Literature for Children Title: Katie of Heilbronn Author: Heinrich von Kleist Retold by: Barbara Kindermann Artist: Christa Unzner Extent: 36 pp, 4/c throughout Format: 298 x 220 mm Pub. price: EUR 15,50 Pub. date: Spring 2006 German ISBN: 978-3-934029-19-4 Ages: 7 and up

Material available: German copy

STORY:

More than 200 years ago, a highly respected armourer named Theobald lived with his daughter Katie in Heilbronn. He loved his child, who was pretty, kind and obedient. All this changed after her 15th birthday when suddenly she seemed bewitched and even left her dear father. Theobald suspected a man behind the change. Indeed, Katie had fallen in love with a knight, but before the happy ending she gets a taste of court and has to overcome the jealousy and intrigues of her influential rival.

THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR:

Heinrich von Kleist (1777-1811) quit his studies in physics and mathematics after only one year. He also did not like his service in the pruissian administration and moved to the city of Dresden, where he wrote his most important dramas. Kleist has always been considered one of Germany´s most influential playwrights. But he never got a grip on his life and in 1811 he committed suicide.

THE ARTIST:

Christa Unzner, born in 1958 near Berlin, has studied graphic arts. After her graduation, she worked for a public relations company. At the same time she illustrated her first books. Since 1982, she has been working full-time as an artist and illustrator in Berlin.