KOSMOS Verlag

The Publishing House and its History

Most people are familiar with KOSMOS science kits or such famous brands and award-winning products as ›Was blüht denn da?‹, ›Was fliegt denn da?‹, ›CATAN‹, ›EXIT®‹, ›Die drei ???‹ or ›Sternenschweif‹. Success creates commitment and motivation. Therefore, more than 700 authors develop our wide range of innovative products. It was a long way until KOSMOS became today’s modern media corporation. More than 200 years ago, in 1822, Johann Friedrich Franckh founded the Franckh’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. About 100 years later, the first books and science kits for children were published.

Today KOSMOS issues more than 1.500 books about nature, gardening, horse riding, pets, astronomy, fishing and hunting as well as over 350 board games and science kits. In Children’s and YA Fiction about 100 new books are published every year and there is something to suit everyone’s taste: suspenseful whodunits, magical fantasy as well as competent and inspiring non-fiction and educational books.

Program

A taboo in Children’s Fiction in the 1960s, they are now the distinctive feature of the brand: The black covers of the series ›Die drei ???‹ illustrated by Aiga Rasch, Silvia Christoph and Andreas Ruch. For over 50 years Justus, Peter and Bob have been solving crimes and inspiring long-time as well as new fans with a mixture of suspense, mystery and humor. Thus, ›Die drei ???‹ is the oldest and most successful YA-detective series in the German-speaking countries.

Over the past 20 years, ›Die drei ??? Kids‹ have developed their own devoted fan base: illustrated in a perky comic-style, aficionados from age eight and up are delighted. Equally successful are the good noses Kim, Franzi and Marie. As ›Die drei !!!‹ they took their readers by storm.

Since 2018 the popular detectives Tim, Karl, Klößchen and Gaby, TKKG in short, solve thrilling crimes at KOSMOS. What‘s special: As ›TKKG Junior‹ the four friends experience whole new exciting adventures for younger fans of the big city detectives. After all, their formula for success – friendship, action and adventure – still holds true more than 40 years after the release of the first stories.

In addition, the popular series ›Sternenschweif‹ has many enthusiastic admirers. The fans are whisked away into magical realms full of fairylike creatures by the protagonists Laura and her unicorn Sternenschweif.

The non-fiction program has a lot to offer for those who are curious about nature and eager to learn more. Which bird is nesting in that tree over there? What flower is in bloom on this field? Which star is sparkling in the sky and how did dinosaurs live? KOSMOS non-fiction books for children – including the successful series ›Kindernaturführer‹ – have all the answers. In 2022 this ›Kindernaturführer‹ series will be relaunched including a freshened up layout. In addition it will be produced with the certified cradle-to-cradle-method which is the most sustainable way to manufacture books.