!!!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 19%%sup th/%  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 
19%%sup th/%  century and published between 1920 and 1930. 
Children´s books focusing on history and geography were 
published.

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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.

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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
R. Bamberger, Jugendlektuere, 1965; V. Boehm and H. Steuer 
(eds.), Theorie und Praxis der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur 
in Oesterreich, 1986; Almanach zur oesterreichischen Kinderkultur, 
1991; Lexikon der o
esterreichischen Kinder- und Jugendliteratur, 1994.


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