In this picture book, the Chinese author Wei Ji tells of a personal memory: the gardens are thriving and the green mountain valley in the middle of China seems almost like paradise. But in the midst of this splendour, it is time to say goodbye: The family we meet in the vegetable garden will soon move to the city, the father has found work there. What kind of life awaits them there?
The feelings of the three siblings fluctuate between anticipation, excitement and melancholy. They visit their favourite places again to say goodbye, meet up with their friends one last time. The artist Li Xiaoguang has captured both the emotions and the scenery magnificently with his woodcuts, which he worked on for two years.
→ More about the book
→ Reading sample
21.8.2023

With December comes the time for cosy reading hours, snuggled up with a good book. Whether for younger or older readers, we have put together a few seasonal tips and hope you enjoy reading them. You can now order all books via our webshop or from your favourite local bookshop or one of our partner bookshops.
→ To the tips for the festive season
4.12.2023

And are you looking for an autumn read or a lovely book present? – Our new catalogue is here! In this handy overview you will find many of our available books at a glance. Would you like to know more: As usual, you will find reading samples for all books, audios an other materials on this website.
A cardboard book for the little ones, bilingual picture books or graphic novels for teenagers (and adults too) – Baobab Books offers inspiring books for thought journeys, books to read aloud, books to marvel at ... Also included is our autumn novelty Damals, im Sommer: A stunning picture book from China.
21.9.2023

The long life of Tsai, who was born in 1930, is documented in the four-volume graphic novel «Tsai Kun-lin» by YU Pei-yun and ZHOU Jian-xin. The first volume, entitled Der Junge, der gerne las, tells the story of Kun-lin's childhood and youth. The second volume, Die gestohlenen Jahre, now fresh off the press, tells of Tsai's difficult years in prison camps – in the eyes of the regime, Tsai Kun-lin had read the wrong books. Kathrin Erdmann from ARD was on the prison island where Tsai Kun-lin was imprisoned and spoke to the author and illustrator of the graphic novel about their work. Listen and to her impressions and her conversation with Yu and Zhou in this report (German).
→ More about the books
→ Sample pages volume 1
→ Sample pages volume 2
17.11.2023

Our second podcast is also about human rights, justice and self-determination:
For the Kolibri directory, our editorial group examines children's and youth books for their quality with regard to the representation of different worlds. The basis for this is our catalogue of criteria. But how do young readers judge these books?
We invited pupils from a Basel secondary school class to review current books. For several weeks, they studied various graphic novels, discussed them in class and put their personal opinions on paper. A podcast produced by the students themselves documents their process and the formation of their opinions. Listen for yourself to what these young people think about current books:
→ Baobab Podcast No. 2
5.10.2023

Baobab Books presents an international and diverse programme of children's literature. Our books originate in many different places of the world, each is unique in its form, many of them award winning.
Our Rights Catalogue 2023 highlights some of the currently available foreign rights titles. Are you interested in translation rights? Do get in touch with us for further information or a meeting request for one of the upcoming book fairs.
→ More about our Foreign Rights List
29.9.2023

The book Hallo, Walfisch! opens up a view of the very direct relationship between the two main characters through the figures of the grandfather and the granddaughter. The two like each other more than anything, but still come into conflict with each other. At the same time, it is about understanding between the generations – for example, when historical events reverberate that the younger generation did not experience. The narrative from Latvia offers multi-layered perspectives and leaves room to explore the depths of meaning of history. The present teaching materials for primary school contain background information, didactic suggestions and numerous worksheets as copy templates.
The materials were developed in cooperation between the PH Bern and Baobab Books.
→ Teaching Materials «Hallo, Walfisch!» (in German)
→ Sample pages (in German)
22.9.2023

It is with great sadness that we have heard that Tsai Kun-lin passed away on 3 September at the age of 92. Born in 1930, Tsai's long life is documented in the four-volume graphic novel "Tsai Kun-lin" by YU Pei-yun and ZHOU Jian-xin.
The first volume, entitled Der Junge, der gerne las, tells of Kun-lin's childhood and youth. The forthcoming second volume, Die gestohlenen Jahre, tells of Tsai's ten difficult years in prison camp on the exile island of Lü Dao – in the eyes of the regime, Tsai Kun-lin had read the wrong books. In the third and fourth volumes, we learn about the rocky road to freedom. Tsai Kun-lin became a journalist, translator and comic publisher and actively campaigned for democracy and human rights in Taiwan until his old age. Now this important voice has fallen silent – but it can still be heard in the graphic novel Tsai Kun-lin.
6.9.2023

In the latest edition of Kolibri, a list of recommendations, we present recently published books for children and young readers. They all provide insight in different lifes, and they invite the reader to reflect on their own identity as well as on the one of others. These books are carefully selected by our editorial team and they may support teachers, librarians or parents when choosing books for children and young adults.
→ More about Kolibri
→ Order Kolibri
5.9.2023

The picture book Schneller Hase ist wieder erhältlich shines again in its colourfulness and richness of form of the Tingatinga painting.
The animals are thirsty, there is a lack of water. But the ravenous crocodile lurks in the river and does not want to share. It demands an offering to satisfy its hunger. For the big animals it is clear: the sacrifice must be a small animal. Hare is to be caught, but he runs away nimbly and takes refuge in a cave.
Even though rabbit, buffalo and lion have to fear for their lives, there is a great reconciliation in the end. And thanks to a clever idea from Hare, there is plenty of water for everyone.
→ More about the book
→ Reading sample
→ Audio
1.9.2023

Das Gänsespiel is a biographical account – in this case an autobiographical one: Anne-Ruth Wertheim, the child of Dutch parents, was interned in a Japanese occupation camp on Java in 1942.
Her book is a moving testimony to what it means not to lose humanity under the most adverse conditions.
Buch&Maus wrote the following about this testimony: «The picture book, which is suitable for children of school age but also appeals to adults, needs time to look at. It encourages conversation, research and reflection.»
→ More about Das Gänsespiel
→ Order book
26.7.2023

Lydia was born in Värna in 1843. The Estonian state as we know it today did not yet exist at that time. The territory was under the rule of the Russian Tsar. Lydia learnt German from her mother. Her father, in turn, worked as a teacher and journalist and founded the first daily newspaper in Estonian. Words, language, stories and poems became Lydia's passion. Early on, however, she also campaigned for freedom and self-determination – the Estonian people had been oppressed by foreign powers for centuries. Lydia Koidula did not live to see Estonian independence. But her works live on to this day.
Buchprofile writes: «It is a fine achievement of this children's book to introduce today's readers to this extraordinary female figure of the 19th century.»
→ More about the book
→ Reading sample
9.6.2023