Maike Siebold & Franziska Detlefsen

Elf Magic in the Bottle Garden

Wichtelzauber im Flaschengarten

Elves, wishes and a magical bottle garden

Five-year-old Tilda wants nothing more than to spend time with her parents – baking cookies, doing crafts, just being together. But Mummy and Daddy are too busy and Tilda feels alone.

One evening, she receives a mysterious package containing a sparkling bottle garden. No sooner has she fallen asleep than she finds herself in the middle of the elf forest in the bottle garden. The elves are celebrating the Night of Wishes, when they send their wishes to the stars – but the wish threads get tangled up!

With Tilda’s help, the gnomes learn to help each other to fulfil their heart’s desires. And when elf Fichtus comes to the human world with Tilda to bake cookies with her, the fulfilment of Tilda’s wish also seems within reach…

Südpol Verlag

Picture Book

Original title: Wichtelzauber im Flaschengarten
Age 3+
32 pp | € 16
hc | 220 x 310 mm
Publication: August 2025


Author: Maike Siebold
I
llustrator: Franziska Detlefsen

All rights available

Awards

“Even for families who don’t celebrate Christmas, this book is a wonderful way to brighten up the dark winter months a little with a few magical stories.” – Stiftung Lesen

“A truly lovely book to kick off the festive season, full of heart-warming moments, lovely illustrations and a story that shows just how special it is to make wishes come true together.” – Birte Heinsohn, Abenteuer Kindsein

“Although there are a few Christmas elements scattered throughout this children’s book, I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a traditional Christmas book. It’s much more than that, and it’s a book that should be read at any time of year. The message it conveys is beautifully woven into the magical atmosphere. The illustrations invite you to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of the elves.” – RPAHei, AJuM, the GEW’s Working Group on Youth Literature and Media

By the same author