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Die Heinzelmännchen
When the lazy people of Cologne go to sleep, the helpful elves do all their work. They measure and saw for the carpenter, knead and mix for the baker, carve and chop for the butcher, taste and pour for the winemaker, and snip and sew for the tailor. But no one ever sees them. Until one day the tailor's wife becomes curious ...This classic picture book is based on a poem by August Kopisch (1799 1853), who specialised in re-telling popular legends. It is brought to life with humorous illustrations by Beatrice Braun-Fock (1898 1973). Printed on thick, quality paper, it features delightful cut-out sections on every page of each of the elves' heads.
Hardcover
About the author
August Kopisch
58 booksIn 1815 he began studying painting at the Prague academy, but an injury to his hand damaged his prospects of success as an artist, and he turned to literature.
After residences in Dresden and Vienna Kopisch proceeded in 1822 to Italy. At Naples he became close friends with the poet August von Platen-Hallermünde; and when out swimming he and the painter Ernst Fries discovered the "Blue Grotto" of Capri.
In 1828 he settled at Berlin and was granted a pension by Frederick William IV of Prussia, who in 1838 conferred upon him the title of professor.
In 1847 he moved to Potsdam and wrote an account of royal residences there and in the neighborhood.
After residences in Dresden and Vienna Kopisch proceeded in 1822 to Italy. At Naples he became close friends with the poet August von Platen-Hallermünde; and when out swimming he and the painter Ernst Fries discovered the "Blue Grotto" of Capri.
In 1828 he settled at Berlin and was granted a pension by Frederick William IV of Prussia, who in 1838 conferred upon him the title of professor.
In 1847 he moved to Potsdam and wrote an account of royal residences there and in the neighborhood.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 31, 2025
Although Floris Books' The Helpful Elves thankfully never does attempt to claim that it is meant to be a literal translation of August Kopisch' mid 19th century German folklore poem Die Heinzelmännchen zu Köln (and I do wish that the city of Cologne had actually been mentioned in the English language title), and thus basically and yes truthfully states that its presented text is indeed a prose adaptation and thus only based on Kopisch' original verses, I for one (and being quite familiar with the original and having absolutely loved said poem as a child, when it was repeatedly read to me), do tend to find that this adaptation, while adequate in thematics and story details (about why there are now no more helpful elves in Cologne, Germany, why the citizens of Cologne now have do ALL their work and chores themselves), is narratively and textually speaking at best rather mundane and really not all that special, not at all poetic and not really even remotely fun anymore (and no, I am NOT in fact claiming that Die Heinzelmännchen zu Köln should have been translated rather than being featured in adapted prose, simply that the adapted prose narrative itself is lacking in style and expression, or rather expressiveness, that the adapted prose leaves more than a bit to be desired in its set-up and general presentation).
And for me, the main and recurring source of frustration and annoyance with The Helpful Elves is namely that with the anonymous prose version as it is presented by Floris Books, the rhythm and resulting sense of entertaining diversion of the German language original poem, the fact that within Kopisch's verses, many active verb forms and delightful onomatopoeia are continuously featured, that there is almost a songlike and very much dance like quality to the poetry, that all is sadly rather completely textually lost here, and that really, even as an adaptation, as a prose rendering of Die Heinzelmännchen zu Köln, The Helpful Elves reads stagnantly, unflowingly, awkwardly, with no poetry, no lyrical qualities whatsoever presented (basically just an almost list like and tedious account of what has transpired, of why Cologne now no longer has its traditional "Heinzelmännchen" its erstwhile oh so helpful elves). And therefore, while I do appreciate that the story of Cologne's "Heinzelmännchen" has now been presented to and for English speaking readers, and that the traditional and indeed lovely illustrations by Beatrice Braun-Fock have actually and appreciatively been retained, have been used in this version, in Floris Books' The Helpful Elves (which I do in fact fondly remember from my childhood, as my grandparents had a picture book of the original poem, of Die Heinzelmännchen zu Köln, featuring precisely Beatrice Braun-Fock's illustrations), I can and will only consider two stars at best for this adaptation, as at least for me personally, the text, the narrative, rather majorly falls short and flat and just does not in any way retain August Kopisch' magic, his delightful sense of rhythm, of playful movement.
And while I would actually NOT in any way claim that The Helpful Elves should not be read (and frankly, if one is not familiar with the original German poem, perhaps the adapted prose narrative would be sufficient and perhaps even much enjoyable, although I still think that the latter could have been rendered a bit more interestingly, flowingly and entertainingly), if you are in any way fluent in German (on an intermediate or above level), to absolutely and ONLY consider the original poem by August Kopisch (which is also and in fact quite easily and readily available for free download online at Project Gutenberg etc.) and to consider The Helpful Elves, the prose adaptation by Floris Books of Edinburgh mainly for the bright and lively, colourfully descriptive accompanying illustrations (as Beatrice Braun-Fock's pictorial renderings do sweetly augment the original poem with colour and light, and do in fact gloriously also mirror the rhythm of August Kopisch's original poem, and much much more so than with regard to the adapted prose narrative featured in The Helpful Elves).
And for me, the main and recurring source of frustration and annoyance with The Helpful Elves is namely that with the anonymous prose version as it is presented by Floris Books, the rhythm and resulting sense of entertaining diversion of the German language original poem, the fact that within Kopisch's verses, many active verb forms and delightful onomatopoeia are continuously featured, that there is almost a songlike and very much dance like quality to the poetry, that all is sadly rather completely textually lost here, and that really, even as an adaptation, as a prose rendering of Die Heinzelmännchen zu Köln, The Helpful Elves reads stagnantly, unflowingly, awkwardly, with no poetry, no lyrical qualities whatsoever presented (basically just an almost list like and tedious account of what has transpired, of why Cologne now no longer has its traditional "Heinzelmännchen" its erstwhile oh so helpful elves). And therefore, while I do appreciate that the story of Cologne's "Heinzelmännchen" has now been presented to and for English speaking readers, and that the traditional and indeed lovely illustrations by Beatrice Braun-Fock have actually and appreciatively been retained, have been used in this version, in Floris Books' The Helpful Elves (which I do in fact fondly remember from my childhood, as my grandparents had a picture book of the original poem, of Die Heinzelmännchen zu Köln, featuring precisely Beatrice Braun-Fock's illustrations), I can and will only consider two stars at best for this adaptation, as at least for me personally, the text, the narrative, rather majorly falls short and flat and just does not in any way retain August Kopisch' magic, his delightful sense of rhythm, of playful movement.
And while I would actually NOT in any way claim that The Helpful Elves should not be read (and frankly, if one is not familiar with the original German poem, perhaps the adapted prose narrative would be sufficient and perhaps even much enjoyable, although I still think that the latter could have been rendered a bit more interestingly, flowingly and entertainingly), if you are in any way fluent in German (on an intermediate or above level), to absolutely and ONLY consider the original poem by August Kopisch (which is also and in fact quite easily and readily available for free download online at Project Gutenberg etc.) and to consider The Helpful Elves, the prose adaptation by Floris Books of Edinburgh mainly for the bright and lively, colourfully descriptive accompanying illustrations (as Beatrice Braun-Fock's pictorial renderings do sweetly augment the original poem with colour and light, and do in fact gloriously also mirror the rhythm of August Kopisch's original poem, and much much more so than with regard to the adapted prose narrative featured in The Helpful Elves).
April 4, 2024
5/5
Ich liebe diese Geschichte einfach
Ich liebe diese Geschichte einfach
February 14, 2022
Eine sehr süße Geschichte für die Arbeit im Landeskundeunterricht mit den Kleinsten. 😀
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews