Revised colored new editions of 'Jim Knopf' will be released on February 24, 2024
Revised colored new editions of 'Jim Knopf' will be released on February 24, 2024
The Thienemann Verlag has made changes to the two volumes of the colored edition of "Jim Knopf" in cooperation with the heirs of Michael Ende. These changes include, among other things, the painting of the N-word and adjusting the drawing of Jim Knopf. The revised colored new editions of the books will be released on February 24, 2024 in Thienemann Verlag. The decision to delete the N-word and reduce stereotypical descriptions was made to prevent children from taking these linguistic elements into their everyday vocabulary. This should be done in the sense of Michael Ende, who was known as cosmopolitan, respectful and always known for the children.
Both "Jim Knopf" volumes tell of the friendship between different people, the acceptance of the stranger and the overcoming of supposed hostilities. Michael Ende created a counter image of the National Socialist ideology in these adventure stories, with which he was confronted in his youth. The books are written and illustrated in a language and with pictures that children can also understand.
The n-word was deliberately put in the mouth by Michael Ende, in order to point out its lack of cosmopolitanism. Nowadays such use can be considered discriminatory. The same applies to the equation of black and dirty skin, which ended as a stylistic device to emphasize the close connection between Jim Knopf and the locomotive guide Lukas.
The illustrator F. J. Tripp exagrated all figures in his iconic drawings for the "Jim Knopf" books, including Jim Knopf itself. Jim Knopf's drawing in the revised colored new editions was adjusted in consultation with the heirs by F.J. Tripp. The changes relate to the colored editions of the books already published in 2015.
It is emphasized that the expenses with the original black and white original illustrations are available unchanged. In the future they will contain an indenting afterword.
In a survey among readers of "Jim Knopf", a majority spoke out to make the changes. The publisher has therefore decided to add an classified introduction to the books to explain the historical context and also to stimulate the discourse on racist stereotypes in children's literature.
Thienemann Verlag is one of the oldest publishers in Stuttgart and has a long tradition in the publication of child and youth literature. Michael Ende's books, especially "Jim Knopf", are known worldwide and still find many readers today.
Table:
In the following table you will find a summary of the changes in the revised colored new editions of "Jim Knopf":
deletion of the n-word | Both volumes |
revision of the drawing of Jim Knopf | Both volumes |
classified epilogue | original editions |