Fresh, magical retelling of a Grimm's classic, a poor shoemaker has only enough leather for one pair of shoes, but overnight, the shoes are beautifully made. Who are the mysterious cobblers – tiny elves. So gorgeously illustrated, you'll want a pair of elf-made shoes. (Picture book)

In this wonderfully illustrated Grimm’s fairy tale, a young prince leaves his castle to follow Iron Hans, a wild man living in the forest. While guarding a magic spring, the boy’s hair turns to gold, but Iron Hans sends the prince into the world to learn what it's like to be poor. A spirited adventure, striking illustrations steeped in rusty brown and golden light. (Picture book)

A worn-out old donkey runs away to set up his own band. He meets up with a broken-down dog, an aging cat, and an old rooster. When the animals surprise a bunch of robbers in the forest, it's a humorous outcome! (Picture book)

Fabulous fantasy, by German author Michael Ende. Bastian Balthazar Bux plays hooky from school to curl up with an antique book, but as Bastian reads further and further, he becomes part of the neverending story. And only Bastian and his imagination can save Fantastica. (Chapter book)

In the Middle Ages, Hildegard of Bingen was the most famous woman of her time – she was a composer, a scientist, a writer. From the time she was a little girl, she had divine visions, and these visions flowed into her music and writings. Marvelous illustrations, like a glowing medieval manuscript. (Picture book)

It’s 1095, and Anna’s family lives in a town along the Rhine River. Anna longs to escape her home life, and looks forward to visits in nearby Worms, until the Crusaders arrive. Anna’s story is filled with rich scenes of daily life, an exceptional window into medieval Germany. (Chapter book)

1212, Spiers. Present day Rudolf Hefting time travels to the Middle Ages, arriving in the Children's Crusade, bound for Jerusalem. Rudolf helps lead the children's army, as they forage for food, cope with illness, and cross the Alps. Vividly brings to life the Middle Ages in Germany. (Chapter book)

Johann Sebastian Bach is a totally home-grown German composer. He grew up, wrote his music, had 20 children, lived and died in Germany. (Picture book)

You'll want to listen to his music too. Here's a super story interwoven with the best of Bach:
Mr. Bach Comes to Call

When you visit Germany, go to a concert with music by the incomparable German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. In the meantime, kids can drift off to sleep listening to the "Emperor Concerto" or "Für Elise." (Audio CD)

And, read about Ludwig as a child: Ludwig van Beethoven

Summer 1961. Heidi is like other teenagers in East Berlin, except everything is about to change completely. Her parents cross safely to West Berlin, but Heidi and her grandmother are still in East Berlin on the day the wall goes up. An exciting novel that brings to life the Berlin Wall crisis. (Chapter book)

History of the Berlin Wall – when and why was the Wall built, where did the concrete wall go through Berlin, what was the "forbidden zone," the Berlin Wall comes down and the city is reunited. (Chapter book, photographs)

Siena Bernstein's dad is German, but spending spring semester in Munich is a new experience for her – trying to speak German, eating bratwurst in the Viktualienmarkt, checking out the Marienplatz, excursions to Neuschwanstein castle, and a cute boy named Stefan. (Chapter book)

Fun facts about the people and places of Germany today – from animals (wild boar), clothing (lederhosen and dirndls), food, famous people, sports (soccer is the most popular), yearly festivals, to zuckertuete (a gift on the first day of school). (Picture book)

"Firsts" from Germany – the first automobile, frankfurters and hamburgers, inventions such as the printing press and alarm clocks, shampoo and cologne, poodles and Dachshunds. (Picture book)

Delightful illustrated overview of daily life and German words – home (meine Mutter, mein Vater), school, free time, snacks and desserts, skiing, camping, Karneval holidays and each page is accompanied by German words and pronunciation guide. (Picture book)