The Ballad of the Tightrope Dancer Felix Fliegenbeil Series: Poetry for Children Title: The Ballad of the Tightrope Dancer Felix Fliegenbeil Author: Michael Ende Artist: Henrike Robert Extent: 32 pp, 4/c throughout Format: 210 x 280 mm Pub. price: EUR 15,50 Pub. date: Spring 2011 German ISBN: 978-3-934029-41-5 Ages: 5 and up

Material available: German review copy

THE STORY:

Felix Fliegenbeil is the world`s best and most ambitious tightrope dancer, pushing himself to become even better – he constantly practises new stepps and tries new tricks dancing, jumping and spinning on always thinner ropes.

Michael Ende´s charming ballad tells the story of Felix Fliegenbeil´s life, his unremitting struggle to fulfill his dream – until, in the end, he surpassed himself.

Henrike Robert´s light-as-a-feather illustrations catch the miraculous story of the world´s most outstanding tightrope dancer in a unique and very poetic way.

THE AUTHOR:

Michael Ende (∗ 1927 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, † 1995 in Filderstadt-Bonlanden) was one of the most acclaimed imaginative authors of the 20th Century. He gained worldwide fame with his books „Momo“ (1973) and „The Neverending Story“ (1979).

THE ILLUSTRATOR:

Henrike Robert was born in Cologne (1964). She participated in various exhibitions and art projects and illustrated Hans Chirstian Andersens „The Little Match-Seller“. Today, she lives and works as an artist in Engelskirchen.