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The Musicians of Bremen

The popular tale by the brothers Grimm is retold by Katrin Stangl with her intense illustrations, essential in their composition and sharp in their colours.

The themes of union, friendship, oldness and journey made this fairy tale a classic among traditional tales of all times and languages, both for children and adults at the same time.

Oldness suddenly arrives in the life of the protagonists (a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster) preventing them from spending their days at their owners’ service. In a such difficult situation, apparently without any issue, the four friends decide to undertake a journey to Bremen to have a new start and a new career as musicians. The unexpected encounter with the robbers will strengthen the companions’ union and will transform their journey in the discovery of a homely place to stay.

The whole book is made up of 2 colours, a smooth red and a full-bodied green, that create texts and images thanks to their combinations on the surface of the page.

The illustrations are handmade and then scanned in order to let them keep a concrete and palpable appearance, which is emphasized by the non-glossy paper of the book.

Katrin Stangl was born in 1977, she lives and works in Köln. She attended the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig and studied popular engraving in Brasil. Her books and illustration have been awarded prizes such as the “Hans-Meid-Förderpreis für Buchillustration” and the bronze medal at the contest “Schönste Bücher aus aller Welt” (Most beautiful books from all over the world).