Helme Heine

Helme Heine, born in Berlin in 1941, is a German author and illustrator. He studied economics and art and spent twelve years in South Africa, where he worked as a director, set designer, and actor, co-founded a cabaret, and published a satirical magazine. His first book, “Elefanteneinmaleins,” was published in 1976. He became best known for his picture books and children’s books, especially the “Friends” series featuring Johnny Mauser, Franz von Hahn, and Fat Waldemar, as well as “Tabaluga” and “The Rabbit with the Red Nose.” He also wrote for adults and worked as a cartoonist, animator, and designer. His work received numerous awards, including the Grand Prize of the German Academy for Children’s and Young People’s Literature and the European Youth Book Prize.