Beltz & Gelberg

The Publishing House and its History

The Beltz Publishing House was founded in 1841 in Bad Langensalza and has been publishing not only books for children and teens since 1971, but also non-fiction books and reference books, the social science program Beltz Juventa and specialized books and magazines covering psychology and education, including Germany’s leading magazine on psychology, »Psychologie Heute«.

In 1971, publisher Dr. Manfred Beltz Rübelmann founded the children’s and youth book program Beltz & Gelberg, which was directed until 1997 by Hans-Joachim Gelberg. In 1986 the paperback book series ›Gulliver‹ was founded and 2004 the most successful paperback picture book series ›MINIMAX‹ was added. In 2016 the Beltz Group celebrated their company's 175th anniversary. In 2002 the publishing group acquired the extensive book rights from Middelhauve and in 2012 all the titles from the Swiss picture and children’s book publishing house, Bajazzo.

Every two years the publishing group awards the Peter-Härtling-Preis. An independent jury selects the winner from unpublished children’s and youth book manuscripts. The winning manuscript is later published by Beltz & Gelberg.

Program

Beltz & Gelberg

The whole spectrum of children’s and youth literature ranging from picture and children’s books to teen and non-fiction books is covered by the publishing group. Many well-known and successful authors and illustrators published their first books by Beltz & Gelberg: Jutta Bauer, Peter Härtling, Nikolaus Heidelbach, Janosch, Klaus Kordon, Erwin Moser, Christine Nöstlinger, Mirjam Pressler, Rafik Schami, Axel Scheffler…

Over the course of 50 years, further names have been added to the list: Martin Baltscheit, Zoran Drvenkar, Christian Duda, Christina Erbertz, Wieland Freund, Doro Göbel, Lena Hach, Sybille Hein, Helme Heine, Stefanie Höfler, Jörg Isermeyer, Peter Knorr, Stephan Knösel, Labor Ateliergemeinschaft, Leo Lionni, Salah Naoura, Korky Paul, Alois Prinz, Gerda Raidt, Verena Reinhardt, Ingo Siegner, Philip Waechter, Katrin Wiehle, Martina Wildner...

Besides award-winning and popular picture books and novels for children and teens, small as well as bestselling series shape the program: Katrin Wiehle’s Naturwelt, the 100% sustainable book series for children aged 3, picture books by successful pair Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson, witty stories for first readers and to read aloud the »Eliot & Isabella«-book series by Ingo Siegner, the German editions of the bestseller fantasy series »Warrior Cats« by Erin Hunter, selected non-fiction books about nature and society.

Gulliver

In 1986 Gulliver was founded as a paperback program for Beltz & Gelberg. In the 35 years since it has developed into an independent program with a strong focus on the promotion of reading. One important prerequisite for children and teens to read at all, is the desire to understand and actively engage with texts. Children and teens that still need support when reading, find a wide range of books with topics that interest them but at the same time comply with their reading skills. That way they can gradually develop existing skills and create a sense of accomplishment. The program features novels and stories for 5-16 year olds, school readings and novels translated into »Einfache Sprache« as well as the series »Super lesbare Bücher« for children and teens with reading difficulties, who were so far unable to find enjoyable books for their age, interests and reading skills.

The Beltz|Der KinderbuchVerlag

At Beltz|Der KinderbuchVerlag (The Children’s Publisher), classics like »Der kleine Angsthase« which characterized the children’s literature scene of the former German Democratic Republic are re-published. Authors include Benno Pludra, Hannes Hüttner, Eva Strittmatter and Werner Heiduczek as well as the illustrators Werner Klemke, Gerhard Lahr, Ingeborg Meyer-Rey, Elizabeth Shaw and many more.