Martin Hürlimann founded Atlantis-Verlag in Berlin in 1930. When he was looking for a picture book for his first daughter, he was disappointed with what was on offer and decided, together with his wife Bettina Hürlimann-Kiepenheuer, to publish children’s books himself. In 1939, the couple moved the publishing house to Zurich. Atlantis picture books became a benchmark, shaped by the ‘book woman’ who not only helped design her books down to the last detail, but was also active worldwide (IBBY, BIB).
Atlantis picture books set new standards in terms of content and graphics, with an emphasis on individual styles, such as Die zweite Arche (The Second Ark) by Heinz Janisch and Hannes Binder.
Despite their unusual ideas and illustrations, Atlantis picture books remain close to their audience: The works of the successful duo Lorenz Pauli and Kathrin Schärer regularly become bestsellers and delight children, booksellers and critics alike.
Lorenz Pauli & Kathrin Schärer Eggs in Daycare! Mouse Helps Out Mouse likes to help. The blackbird brings Mouse her eggs to look after. So do the bluetits, and then the woodpecker. Even the baby squirrels are allowed to come. The result is a colourful daycare centre. There is a lot going on! But it’s…
Lorenz Pauli & Kathrin Schärer The Place of Dear Things The badger cleans up his sett. What to do with the gameboard for which he has lost the instructions? And where to put the beautiful piece of wood that looks like a rabbit? The badger does not want to throw away the beloved things. They…