Rolf Rettich

Rolf Rettich (1929–2009), born in Erfurt, was a German illustrator, children’s author and animated-film artist. Originally trained as a surveying technician, he became an illustrator largely through self-teaching. He illustrated books by authors including James Krüss, Astrid Lindgren, Christine Nöstlinger and Michael Ende, and also published works for which he provided both text and illustrations. Together with his wife, Margret Rettich, he created picture stories that were adapted for television, including for the German programme “Die Sendung mit der Maus.” His work received, among other honors, the Honorary Prize at the International Picture Book Competition; in 1997, Margret and Rolf Rettich received the Grand Prize of the German Academy for Children’s and Young Adult Literature.