Who doesn’t know the heroes and heroines of our childhood who enchanted us with their adventures, stories and songs? Whether from fairy tales, films or books, these children’s characters are an integral part of German culture and language. Not only do they reflect the values, dreams and fears of different generations, but they also give rise to many allusions, jokes and comparisons in everyday life. In this blog article, we introduce you to ten of the most important and popular children’s characters in Germany and tell you who they are and what makes them special.
1. Pippi Longstocking
Pippi Longstocking is probably the best-known character by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, who is also very popular in Germany. Pippi is a nine-year-old girl with red pigtails, freckles and incredible strength. She lives alone in Villa Kunterbunt with her horse Little Uncle and her monkey Mr. Nilsson. She has lots of fun and exciting adventures with her friends Tommy and Annika, who live next door. Pippi is brave, cheeky, self-confident and independent. She doesn’t follow the rules of adults and does what she likes. She is a role model for many children who long for freedom and imagination.
2. Max and Moritz
Max and Moritz are the main characters in a picture story book by Wilhelm Busch from 1865. They are two seven-year-old rascals who are constantly playing pranks and getting into mischief. They annoy the villagers, such as the teacher Lämpel, the tailor Böck, the farmer Mecke and the widow Bolte. Their pranks are often cruel and usually end in the death or injury of their victims. In the end, they themselves are turned by the miller Meister and processed into chicken feed. Max and Moritz may be evil, but they are also very imaginative and funny. They are a symbol of childlike resistance to authority and boredom.
3. The Sams
The Sams is a fantastic character from a book series by Paul Maar that has been published since 1973. It is a small, fat creature with a proboscis nose, blue dots on its face and red hair. He comes from another world and can grant wishes by giving away his dots. One day, he turns up at the home of the shy and unhappy Mr. Taschenbier and turns his life upside down. Sams is cheeky, loud, curious and hungry. He encourages Mr. Taschenbier to become braver, happier and more self-confident. It is a friend for everyone who longs for change and adventure.
4. Momo
Momo is the heroine of a 1973 novel by Michael Ende. She is a little girl with black hair and big eyes who lives in a ruin on the outskirts of a big city. She has no parents, but many friends whom she likes to listen to and help. She is threatened by the gray masters who steal time from people and turn them into slaves of haste. Momo stands up to them and saves the world with the help of a turtle called Cassiopeia and a mysterious master called Hora. Momo is a character who stands for the values of friendship, imagination and time. She is a reminder to adults who have forgotten what is important in life.
5. The Little Prince
The Little Prince is the main character of a book written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in 1943. He is a young prince who comes from a small planet where he has a rose and three volcanoes. He travels through space and visits various planets where he meets strange inhabitants, such as the king, the businessman, the geographer and the lamplighter. He finally lands on Earth, where he meets a fox and a pilot who teach him important lessons about life. The Little Prince is a character who stands for love, wisdom and childhood. He is a message to adults who have lost their hearts.
6. Heidi
Heidi is the heroine of a novel by Johanna Spyri from 1880. She is a five-year-old girl who lives with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. She loves nature, animals and her friend Peter, the goatherd. She is brought to Frankfurt by her aunt, where she meets Klara, who is ill and in a wheelchair. She befriends her, but she misses the mountains and falls ill. She eventually returns to her grandfather and takes Klara with her, who becomes healthy thanks to the fresh air and exercise. Heidi is a character who stands for joy, kindness and home. She is a role model for all those who long for simplicity and harmony.
7. Jim Button
Jim Button is the hero of a series of books by Michael Ende that have been published since 1960. He is a little boy with black skin who came to the island of Lummerland as a baby in a parcel. He grows up there with the locomotive driver Lukas and makes friends with the locomotive Emma. He experiences many adventures, such as the journey to China, the liberation of Princess Li Si, the fight against the dragon Mrs. Mahlzahn and the search for his origins. Jim Button is a character who stands for curiosity, bravery and friendship. He is a symbol of diversity and tolerance in German society.
8. Robber Hotzenplotz
Räuber Hotzenplotz is the villain of a book series by Otfried Preußler that has been published since 1962. He is a feared robber who wears a black mask, a red beard and carries seven knives. He robs his grandmother’s coffee grinder, which makes beautiful music, and kidnaps the fairy Amaryllis, who lives in a crystal ball. He is chased by the constable Dimpfelmoser, but he always manages to escape. He is outwitted by the children Kasperl and Seppel, who bravely stand up to him. The robber Hotzenplotz is a character who stands for mischief, suspense and humor. He is an adversary for all those who long for justice and fun.
9. Maya the Bee
Maya the Bee is the heroine of an animated series based on the books by Waldemar Bonsels. She is a little bee with yellow and black stripes who breaks out of the hive and explores the world. She meets lots of animals, such as Flip the grasshopper, Ben the dung beetle, Thekla the spider and Max the earthworm. She has many adventures, such as escaping from the hornet, rescuing the butterfly and searching for honey. Maya the Bee is a character who stands for curiosity, freedom and happiness. She is a friend to everyone who longs for nature and discovery.
10. Harry Potter
Harry Potter is the hero of a series of books by J. K. Rowling that have been published since 1997. He is an eleven-year-old boy who learns that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He makes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and becomes the arch-enemy of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord who killed his parents. He experiences many adventures, such as the search for the Philosopher’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, the Prisoner of Azkaban and the Goblet of Fire. Harry Potter is a character who stands for magic, loyalty and courage. He is an idol for everyone who longs for wonder and challenges.
Conclusion:
Why you should know these children’s characters if you want to learn German
You have now got to know ten of the most important and popular children’s characters in Germany. They are not only exciting and entertaining, but also educational and cultural. They show you how Germans think, feel and speak. They help you to understand and use the language better. They give you ideas to develop your own imagination and creativity. They make you a better and happier person.
If you want to learn German and really master the language, you also need to understand the allusions to these children’s characters that often appear in conversations, media or literature. They are part of German identity and history. They are a treasure that you can discover and enjoy.
Do you know these children’s characters? Which ones?
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