20 book gift ideas for the whole family

An unusual crime thriller for adults

The book begins like a detective story - 13-year-old Rebecca disappears during a hike in a village in central England - but it is much more than an ordinary thriller. The author tells everyday stories about the lives of the villagers over the course of 13 years, centred around the search for the missing girl. The story is written very unconventionally, in short sentences and an unagitated narrative tone. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, I find the novel extremely readable. Éva Berger, Secretary of the Parenthood Foundation

To read aloud: Stubborn unicorn makes everyone laugh

The unicorn child could actually have a perfect life in the heart forest, where even the stones are made of pink plush and there are no worries. The only problem: it doesn't feel like it. Whether it's school, washing or eating - the unicorn says «no». It won't even touch sugared clover. The NO unicorn, as it is now known, just wants to be left alone and not hop around as happily as all the other unicorns. So the NO unicorn breaks out, meets a raccoon who doesn't listen, a dog who doesn't care about anything and an absurd princess. In this picture book, Marc-Uwe Kling manages the balancing act of appealing to children in equal measure with a cute story and parents with amusing puns. And the moral of the story: being stubborn is totally okay. Bianca Fritz, Head of Online Editing

For in-depth conversation under the tree

This pink box with question cards is not strictly speaking a book, but it can be found in bookshops. And they could really spice up your Christmas celebrations.
The crux of the matter with people you've known for a long time - and you've known your mum the longest - is that you hardly ever ask them any questions. You imagine that you know everything about this person - and so you miss out on important developments and stories that have shaped this person and are shaping them today.
I gave my mum these cards and we only had 15 minutes at the station to try them out. But even in those minutes, I learnt a lot of new things. There were even tears of emotion.
I thought it was a bit of a shame that the questions were only meant to go in one direction. But with a little creativity, mum can quickly find a suitable question for her daughter. So a real recommendation. The cards are also available for conversations with grandma. Bianca Fritz, Head of Online Editing

For me: Bullet journaling - so much more than drawing calendars

I work on the Internet all day long. Is it any wonder that I long for paper? I switched to a bullet journal back in 2017. And found it quite cumbersome at first. This constant writing down of dates and drawing of overviews, which are all already there in a «normal calendar». And it never looked really nice, like all the professionals on YouTube. At the same time, I loved being able to combine a notebook and a calendar and really personalise what I need at any given time. Without being restricted by pre-printed forms.
But I only really understood the treasure that lies in bullet journaling when I read the book «The Bullet Journal Method» by bullet journal inventor Ryder Carroll. He shows us how to use the handwritten calendar to constantly reflect on where we are, what we think and where we want to go. A bullet journal not only slows us down when it comes to planning the coming month, it also helps us to live more consciously overall so that we don't constantly ask ourselves «where has the time gone?». Anyone who keeps a bullet journal knows this. They have used their time consciously and can look it up at any time. This reflection can include enchanting paintings, vintage washi tape and stamps. But they don't have to. An ideal gift for anyone who always has too little time and yet never knows what they have done. Best given with a dotted notebook in a double pack. Bianca Fritz, Head of Online

Pippi Langstrupf celebrates Christmas

Our two little rascals are big Pippi fans. They especially love this story. It takes place on Christmas Eve and is about Pelle, Bosse and little Inga. The three of them are all alone because their mum has unexpectedly had to go into hospital. It almost seems as if this is going to be the saddest Christmas they have ever had. But luckily there is Pippi Longstocking. She rides up the stairs on her horse, brings presents and even has a Christmas tree with her. And they dance with it until the beams bend! A book for children who know and love the adventures of Pippi Longstocking. And for parents who want a little story to explain why Christmas is the festival of love. Nik Niethammer, Editor-in-Chief

Tomte and the fox

For me, Tomte Tummetott's stories are some of the most beautiful children's books ever. Our children snuggle up tightly in their blankets when we read them to them - and become very devout. Especially with «Tomte Tummetott and the Fox»: when night falls and everyone is asleep, Tomte, the little elf with the long white beard and red cap, emerges from his hiding place. To protect the people and animals. But on this winter's night, Mikkel, the hungry fox, sneaks across the farmyard. But Tomte has an idea ... For children who like beautifully illustrated books. And for parents who want to give their children bright eyes and red cheeks when they read to them. Nik Niethammer, Editor-in-Chief

Always that Michel

The children's book character Michel from Lönneberga was created when Astrid Lindgren was looking after her three-year-old grandson. When the boy screamed at the top of his lungs, Astrid Lindgren asked him if he knew what Michel had been up to. He had to sit still to hear the stories. So Lindgren told the boy about Michel again and again and later wrote the story down.
Michel lives with his family in Smaland in southern Sweden. He is five years old and as strong as a little ox. With his blue eyes and blond hair, you could almost mistake him for an angel - when he's asleep. When he's not sleeping, he has more nonsense on his mind than any other boy in Sweden or perhaps even the whole world!
«Always this Michel» is the complete edition and contains the stories «Michel in the Soup Bowl», «Michel must make more little men» and «Michel puts the world to rights». For all children who like rascal stories. And for parents who like to be reminded of their own childhood, when things weren't quite as regimented and organised as they are today. Nik Niethammer, Editor-in-Chief

For myself: Relaxation on the train with Eckhart Tolle

I have discovered the somewhat old-fashioned charm of audiobooks. When I'm on the train early in the morning on my office days, I've been feeding my mind with content that does me good for a while now instead of answering emails, scrolling up and down Instagram or getting annoyed by the lack of manners of individual passengers. Eckhart Tolle's audiobook is one of my favourite acoustic train companions.
I probably don't need to introduce the author at this point. Tolle was born in Germany, looks a bit like a hobbit and is considered a great teacher of wisdom all over the world. The 78-year-old suffered from depression for years, from which he was saved by a kind of spiritual awakening at the age of 29. Tolle discovered how he could tame his negative thoughts.
In this audiobook, Eckhart Tolle addresses the question of why we find it increasingly difficult to savour the moment and be in the here and now in these fast-moving and stimulus-flooded times.
In this audiobook, he presents a simple exercise programme on how we can stop hovering between yesterday and tomorrow and take the time to really relax. Claudia Landolt, lead author

For my eight-year-old son: The coolest prince

All my boys have or had a great love of knights' castles and armour. My eldest's godmother had the brilliant idea of going in search of the knight comic she loved so much as a child. She got hold of them in an English antiquarian bookshop and gave her godson, my son, one or two volumes every Christmas - until the collection of 26 volumes was complete. Now my youngest enjoys these books, which are dedicated to Prince Valiant.
We read them to him every evening and he has practically taught himself to read with these books. Prince Valiant is a Viking prince from Thule, a legendary kingdom in the far north, set in Norway in the comic. After his father Aguar is banished, Ironheart arrives as a boy at Arthur's court, the even more legendary castle of Camelot, in the year 425. He becomes squire to the knight Gawain and later Knight of the Round Table. His singing sword helps him in many battles against the Saxons, Huns and pirates. He is married to Aleta, a ruler of the so-called neighbouring islands. However, the two only find each other after various odysseys and eventually have five children. Aleta is Eisenherz's equal and appears to be a strong, equal partner in life.
The father of this comic series is the American illustrator Hal Forster, who drew an episode of this fantasy story once a week from 1937 onwards. After the series was only available in antiquarian bookshops for a long time, there is now a complete German edition.
Incidentally, it is also very exciting for adult fantasy fans (Hello, «Game of Thrones») - including some amorous entanglements, which gave the illustrator the opportunity to make quite frivolous allusions. Claudia Landolt, lead author

For my sports-loving teen: «If you give it your all, you can't blame yourself»

My eldest son is a sporting ace. First he played football, then handball, and in between he ran through all the forests in the canton as an orienteering runner. Now there is only one thing for him: basketball!
He is also an avid reader. That's why I like to give him biographies of sportsmen and women to go with his favourite sport. When there was only football for him, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's biography: «I, Zlatan» became his bible. I'm afraid it rubbed off a bit - even today he sometimes quotes «Ibra» when he's in a particularly good mood: «I can't believe how perfect I am.» Okay.

This year, I'm putting the recently published biography of Dirk Nowitzki, the 2.13 metre tall German NBA basketball star, under his Christmas tree. Nowitzki became champion with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 and recently retired. His retirement speech really impressed my son. The special thing about Nowitzki as a player, he explained to me, was that «Döööörk» didn't just wait under the basket to shoot the ball, no, Nowitzki dribbled and then shot.
Today, professionals copy his tricks. Nowitzki's biographer and author Norbert Pletzinger - a kind of shining light among sports biographers - writes in his biography: «Basketball since Nowitzki was different from basketball before him: more agile, more variable, less predictable, finer, more refined. The game was more international and cosmopolitan.»
International, worldly and super successful: three attributes that my teenager would certainly claim for himself. Claudia Landolt, lead author

For my husband: I cycle, therefore I am

What do you give a person who loves cycling, devours strategy books and hates shopping, unless it's in a bike shop? Exactly: a book that combines all of these things. «Why I went out to buy milk and came home with a bike» is the title of Jochen Mai's book, and the title alone is likely to enthral many a cycling and endurance sports manager.
Jochen Mai cleverly analyses the dilemmas and typical errors of reasoning that we repeatedly fall into when we want to make a decision.
For some, the title may seem a little corny. But certainly not for male cyclists. Nothing embarrasses them. Their only body adornment is usually the mud-look decorative stripe down the centre of their backs, created by the absence of mudguards. What's more, they are totally into the offside and shout hurrah! And why not? Instead of riding on good roads and preferably not uphill, they like to do the opposite and pay twice as much for a top-class fully bike. Great, will do, darling. Claudia Landolt, senior author

A classic against nightmares

When Princess Sleepy Little has bad dreams, it means a national crisis for Slumberland. If you join her royal father on a fantastic journey to find a solution to the problem, you'll bring home a little helper. One that transforms every child's bed into a safer place to sleep. And can also (re)discover the great storyteller Michael Ende in the process. On the 90th birthday of the late author, this classic - brilliantly illustrated by Annegert Fuchshuber - is warmly recommended to all parents of young children. Benjamin Muschg, Head of Production

For the cool niece with English flair

The US bestseller «Three Women» by Lisa Taddeo has hit like a bomb. The book is not yet available in German, so this gift is all the cooler for someone who enjoys reading in English and likes to be at the forefront of the discussion when it comes to a modern, real-life tale of female lust and sexuality. Florina Schwander, editor

For the newborn godchild:

This book by Oliver Jeffers is a must for all parents of newborns who enjoy books. The children's book «Here we are» shows the fictional baby in the book the world and welcomes it with beautiful illustrations. Florina Schwander, editor

For your loved one

Everyone in and around Zurich's Kreis 3 district knows Motti, either from the book by Thomas Meyer or from this year's hit film. Now there's a sequel in book form: Wolkenbuch's daring rendezvous with the spy. A great gift for a loved one. To read to each other or borrow as soon as your loved one has finished. Florina Schwander, editor

Lindgren for all

Who knows someone who doesn't like Astrid Lindgren's stories? Exactly. The anthology with the stories of Pippi, Madita, Michel, etc. warms every heart, big or small. Florina Schwander, editor

Magic from the Märlitram

This children's book still makes my eyes water the umpteenth time I've read it: the story of Mia, who gives her ticket for the Märlitram to another boy and is then invited to the Märlitram by Father Christmas himself, touches me. And my children too. Florina Schwander, editor

Lotta is addictive: For children of primary school age

«Everyone's reading this now.» With these words, my parents-in-law's neighbour pressed a children's book into my hand last summer. «My Lotta Life» was written on the green cover. I started reading it and laughed out loud. The story is told from the perspective of 10-year-old Lotta, who talks about her turbulent pre-pubescent childhood life, about the dog Anton that Lotta wants so much, about her teacher Mrs Kackert, her two «idiot brothers» and, of course, about her best friend Chayenne. What makes it special: The story is told in both text and illustrations, playful, fast-paced but not overloaded, as it is in black and white.

Launched in 2012, the books about the big animal fan Lotta have become bestsellers. «My Lotta Life» is like a good series. You can never stop reading it. Fortunately, there are now 15 volumes. Evelin Hartmann, Deputy Editor-in-Chief

«The history of bees»

«More than Honey» - at the latest since this documentary film from 2012, we know what would happen if bees were to die out. In 2017, another much-discussed and acclaimed book on the subject was published: «The Story of the Bees» by Maja Lunde takes a look at China in the year 2098: There are no more bees, and countless people have to pollinate all the flowers by hand every year, a very laborious and energy-sapping task. The worker Tao is one of them. She wants to offer her young son Wie-Wen a better life, but then Wie-Wen mysteriously disappears.
The book also tells the story of the English biologist and father of eight, William, who is in the midst of a life crisis in 1852. His previous research has failed, his only son causes him nothing but grief and he pays little attention to his brightest daughter Charlotte. But then he begins to think about the perfect beehive.
Another leap in time to another continent: in 2007, beekeeper George from Ohio has to watch as his bees become fewer and fewer - and he can do nothing about it.
Maja Lunde skilfully interweaves these three family stories and poses the existential question: What would the world look like if there were no more bees? An important book that fortunately leaves the reader with a perspective at the end. Evelin Hartmann, Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Six crime thrillers without a grubby investigator

If you like the Swiss author Martin Suter, as I do, you know what to expect: a straightforward narrative style, charmingly packaged with witty dialogue. The Allmen series delivers exactly that. It scores with its crime thriller touch, which manages almost without bloodshed or grubby investigators with private problems.
On the contrary: the main character Johan Friedrich von Allmen, Allmen for short, is an art-loving bon vivant. He loves luxury hotels, his customised cashmere suits from his London tailor and beautiful women. Style is in the dandy's DNA. The only flaw: the Zurich privateer is bankrupt and now has to get inventive.
With his Guatemalan assistant Carlos, he discovers a lucrative market niche in the art world that is not entirely legal. This soon leads him into adventurous turbulence. For Suter fans and especially thriller lovers who appreciate an easy read. The sixth «Allmen» was published this year. Irena Ristic, online editor

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