Kinder- und Jugendliteratur#

Children´s and Youth Literature: the first literature that may be defined as children´s literature emerged in Austria in the Age of Enlightenment. Periodicals for children and several adaptations of Robinson Crusoe were published, the so-called "Austrian Robinson" written by K. Temlich in 1791 became highly popular. Moral doctrines were stressed in the 19th  century magazines for young people. The work of L. Chimani (1774-1844) is good example, which shows the moral and patriotic aspects of the time. In the Romantic period the first Austrian folk and fairy tales and myths were published. Around 1900 great efforts were made by the literary educator H. Wolgast from Hamburg to establish a youth literature movement. The development of children´s and young people´s literature was supported and encouraged by the Wiener Volksbildungsverein and the "Oesterreichische Jugendschriften-Rundschau" (founded1904), the City of Vienna Schools Council and the Catholic Teachers Association. Before and after World War I non-expensive artistically designed books were published like "Volksschatz" (from 1911) and "Gerlachs Jugendbuecher" (from1900). Another important publication was the "Wiener Klassenlektuere", which comprised about 100 volumes, mainly works by famous authors of the 19th  century and published between 1920 and 1930. Children´s books focusing on history and geography were published.

After 1945 books about animals and nature were particularly popular. At the same time the children´s books written by A. Umlauf-Lamatsch (1895-1962) and illustrated by E. Kutzer continued to be popular: "Die Schneemaenner" (The Snowmen), "Hannerl in der Pilzstadt" (Hannerl in the Mushroom Town), etc. Later authors like V. Ferra-Mikura, M. Lobe, F. Hofbauer, E. Berger and F. Habeck became popular writers of children´s books. Gradually political and social problems were also discussed in children´s literature; books like "Sadako will leben" (Sadako wants to live" (1961) by K. Bruckner (1905-1982) were pioneer works in this field. The authors representing more recent Austrian children´s and young people´s literature try to avoid a bossy tone but help children find solutions to their problems. Their style is characterized by the use of clear and unequivocal language, local features, authenticity and by a direct appeal to the young reader´s emotions. The most important representatives are: G. Bydlinski, T. Brezina, W. Harranth, L. Mayer-Skumanz, E. Moser, C. Noestlinger, K. Recheis, R. Welsh, B. Frischmuth, F. S. Sklenitzka, J. Treiber, R. Thueminger and B. Buechner.

There are various institutions, organisations, publications and prizes aiming at promoting children´s and young people´s literature in Austria: the "Oesterreichische Jugendschriftenkommission" (Austrian Young People´s Literature Commission), the "Studien- und Beratungsstelle fuer Kinder- und Jugendliteratur." (Research and Counselling Centre for Children´s and Young People´s Literature), the "Kinderfreunde", "Oesterreichischer Buchklub der Jugend" and the "International Institute for Children´s Literature and Reading Research"; there are also, a number of Austrian literary prizes and awards: Children´s Poetry State Prize (Kinderlyrik-Staatspreis), Award of Merit (Wuerdigungspreis), National Children´s and Juvenile Book Award (Kinder- und Jugendbuchpreis) and Children´s Book Award of the City of Vienna (Jugendbuchpreis der Stadt Wien); and the literary journal "Tausend und ein Buch" (A Thousand and One Books). The most important publishers of children´s and youth books are: Oesterreichischer Bundesverlag, the publishing houses Annette Betz, Breitschopf, St. Gabriel, Herder, Jugend & Volk, Jungbrunnen, Dachs, Neugebauer, Picus, Styria and Tyrolia. In Austria between 200 and 300 children´s books and young people´s books are published per year.

Literature#