This is the book I read recently on a train journey. This book is a love letter to tree and forest. Our mother nature is a real wonderland that it breaks my heart to read about deforestation in Borneo and Amazon. We are part of the nature and we will surely die without forest. Nevertheless, …
“A donkey, old and tired out,Is of no use, there is no doubt.” The four old and unwanted animals decided to go to Bremen and become musicians there. A timeless Grimms’ fairy tale. This English adaptation of the story bring new light to it. Kestutis Kasparavicius’ illustration is my favourite. A donkey, a dog, a …
“You made it (Grießbrei) yourself?” Barbara asked her husband Walter Schmidt.“What do you think? Helmut?” Barbara’s husband replied. Helmut is their dog.“You made semolina soup (Grießbrei) for me?” Barbara asked again. This conversation in my currently reading made me laugh. I think, for Barbara, either Helmut the dog or Walter Schmidt the husband cooked were …
Von guten Mächten wunderbar geborgen (DE)By loving forces wonderfully sheltered (EN) This is one of the most demanded songs for funeral, wedding and new year worship service. And the song text is written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4 February 1906 – 9 April 1945), a German anti-Nazi theologian. He was arrested in April 1943 by the …
The big Ravensburger songbook by Cornelia HaasDas große Ravensburger Liederbuch von Cornelia Haas This book belongs to my 10 months old friend, I have a look into the book during a visit. The first page is inviting us to guess a song from the illustration. Dear German friends, do you know which song could it …
Today’s goal accomplished, finished reading this book. “Don’t cry, you’re still alive.” by Kirsten Boie is about the life of 3 teenagers after 2nd world war in war torn Hamburg, Germany. I need some time to let my mind rest before I can write a proper book review for this book. The book’s title says: …
Tomorrow is Ascension Day, it is also father’s day in Germany. The tradition is fathers are gathering together and have some good old beer. This cheerful picture underlying a serious problem of alcoholism. Not to mention how the domestic violence victims feel on this day. But it is up to you to define the father’s …
Anna Beer inspecting the lives of eight exceptional women composers in Western classical music. It starts with Francesca Caccini (1587 – 1641) and ends with Elizabeth Maconchy (1907-1994). Beer’s narrative style is clear and vivid, it was nearly impossible to put down the book once I started to read it. Gender inequality reflected at best …
Ai Qing Selected Poems (EN)Translated by Robert DorsettAi Qing Schnee fällt aus Chinas Erde Gedichte (DE)Aus dem Chinesischen übertragen, kommentiert und mit einem Nachwort versehen von Susanne Hornfeck Ai Qing (1910- 1999)Ai Qing is a Chinese poet that I respect, but his writing style is not necessarily my favourite. There are still some of his …
Christian Morgenstern (1871 – 1914) was telling us a story where ducks were skating on a frozen pond. He also asked us a question: “Where did the ducks got their ice skate? The ducks are not rich at all!” Do you have a clue? I guess little children are going to love the poem selection …