Struwelpeter: Merry Stories and Funny Pictures

Heinrich Hoffman's classic cautionary tales for children was first published in German in 1844, with this English edition following four years later in 1848. It has remained a popular childhood favourite ever since.

The tales tell the stories of children whose disobedience or bad habits lead them to a sticky end. No childhood is complete without characters like Shock-Headed Peter who never cuts his fingernails or combs his hair, or Suck-a-Thumb or Fidgety Philip?

The comically gruesome fates which befall the children is partly what makes Struwelpeter so appealing to young listeners.