Fresh, magical re-telling of the 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. Such gorgeous illustrations, 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)

Beautifully illustrated re-telling of Grimm's fairy tale, rats swarming through the streets of Hamelin Town, the colorful Piper who appears with a twinkle in his eye, and the greedy townspeople who lose their greatest treasure – the children. (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 travels back in time 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, and lived all his life in Germany. (Picture book)

In the aftermath of World War II, a young boy discovers he was rescued from the Nazi death trains and his birth mother has disappeared without a trace. An evocative, sensitive story of postwar Germany and the rebuilding of a country. (Chapter book)

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)

Take a trip through Munich old and new, ancient city gates, St. Peter's Church, the oldest church in Munich, walk 10 miles to look at everything in the Deutsches Museum, Oktoberfest, art museums, pretzels and sausages, the English Garden, and more. Whimsical illustrations, fun facts, this is a classic. (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)

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