Herr Dachs und seine erstaunliche Buchhandlung

by Paddy Donnelly, Katja Maatsch (Translator)

In Herrn Dachs' fabelhafter Buchhandlung gibt es Bücher für alle Tiere: Schmöker auf turmhohen Regalen für Giraffen, winzig kleine Büchlein für Mäuse und eine Tiefseeabteilung mit Lektüre für die Wasserbewohner. Aber als der kleine Fuchs Rory nach einer Geschichte fragt, in der es um Piraten-Tintenfische, Regenbogendrachen und Wunschbäume geht, muss Herr Dachs zum ersten Mal in seinem Leben sagen: So ein Buch gibt es nicht. Er schlägt dem betrübten Rory vor, das Buch selbst zu verfassen, doch Rory kann noch nicht schreiben. Und so tun sich die beiden zusammen und schaffen das fantasievollste Abenteuer, das sich Rory je erträumt hat.

Genres: Childrens, Books About Books, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

Paddy Donnelly is an Irish author and illustrator of picture books. Now living in Belgium, he works in a range of illustration styles and was shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards in 2018 and the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards in 2020. He wishes Pluto was still a planet.

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute bilderbuech peak!! Gonna buy this one as well.

[Frank Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieses Review bezieht sich auf die deutsche Edition, erschienen unter dem Titel "Herr Dachs und seine erstaunliche Buchhandlung" und der ISBN 3505153427 im Verlag Schneiderbuch.

Im „Bücher-Dachs“ gibt es jedes Buch. Jedes? Nein, denn der kleine Fuchs Rory sucht ein ganz bestimmtes Buch mit einer sehr eigenwilligen Handlung. Und ich kann ehrlich gesagt, die vereinzelten kritischen Stimmen überhaupt nicht verstehen, die sagen, dass der junge, schlaue Fuchs keine Ideen hat. Ganz im Gegenteil ist es doch sehr typisch für Kinder, dass sie die absurdesten Ideen großartig finden. Das ist doch ein entscheidender Wesenszug von Kindern.

Vor allen Dingen gibt es zudem viel zu entdecken, denn zuerst wird natürlich die Buchhandlung selbst vorgestellt, in der jedes Tier für sich passende Bücher findet. Ich fand den Witz treffsicher und gut gewählt, denn es macht sicherlich Spaß, zu verfolgen, welche Tiere sich welche Bücher kaufen.

Am Ende tun die beiden sich zusammen und schreiben letzten Endes das Buch, das es bis dato nicht gab, wobei der Fuchs zeichnet und der Dachs schreibt. Und nun frage ich mich, weshalb es Pädagogen gibt, die hierin keine Möglichkeit sehen, diesen Gedanken auf Kinder zu übertragen, ihrer Fantasie freien Lauf zu lassen und über eigene Bilder eine Geschichte zu erzählen.

[Debbie Pappe-Aldinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

I absolutely adored this book. It is such a sweet and heartwarming story that beautifully celebrates imagination, creativity, and the magic of books.

The idea of a bookshop tailored to animals — with tiny books for mice, tall shelves for giraffes, and even stories for underwater readers — is incredibly charming and full of delightful little details. When a young fox asks for a story that doesn’t exist yet, the message that stories can be created, not just found, feels both empowering and comforting.

What truly makes this book special, though, are the illustrations. They are absolutely beautiful: cozy, whimsical, and full of small elements that make you want to linger on each page a little longer. The artwork perfectly complements the gentle tone of the story and enhances the overall reading experience.

A lovely picture book for anyone who loves stories about books, friendship, and imagination. It feels like a warm hug in book form.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pe Aleea Porcului Furnicar se găsește o librărie numită 'Cărțile Bursucului' 🦡 Nu este plină de lecturi doar pentru specia viezurilor, ci pentru toate animalele, de la lei, la balene sau dinozauri 🦕 De cincizeci și doi de ani, unsprezece luni și nouă zile, librăria e condusă de un bursuc cam morocănos. Totuși, bursucul te ajută mereu cu orice carte ai vrea. Asta încearcă să îl roage și Rori, puiul de vulpe de la Croitoria 'Fox și Fiul' 🦊 El vrea o carte cu meduzele de pe Lună. Bursucul însă nu o are, însă micuțul vulpoi o dorește din toată inima 📚
Așa începe povestea despre prietenie, imaginație și bunătate scrisă de Paddy Donnelly, "Cărțile Bursucului" (trad. Andra Aprodu), despre care am scris mai multe într-un articol publicat pe blog 📚

https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2026/...

[Crystal E. Fall · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. I love how vibrant and playful this book was, with its bright colours, fun layouts and little background stories in the images - the book shop felt so alive, and the story itself was so sweet!

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting story of an unusual friendship between Badger, owner of bookshop and a little imaginative fox writing book together. The forte of this book are definitely the detailed illustrations which add to the story on their own and can be studied for ages. Sweet and charming read.

[The_J · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an exposition for kids on the Seussian motto: "If I can't find a Reindeer, I will make one." This is fine but I like it in the original Seuss better.

[Gabe Mellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the illustrations so much but this time the story made me fold 🥺 cause it can inspire children to write their own stories in their own unique ways ✨

[Christin Wichers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tolli!!! Schöne Illustration und eine tolle Geschichte über einen grummeligen Buchhändler und ein Kind voller Fantasie

[Steffi Ristic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieses Buch ist wunderschön illustriert, ich liebe die Bilder von Paddy Donnelly! Diese sind reich an entzückenden Details. Deswegen ist es genau richtig für meine Kinderbuchsammlung!
Die Geschichte ist auch ganz reizend!

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book about a bookstore and about stories in your head.


I read the earlier book set in the same world (Fox & Son Tailers) which I enjoyed but also found a tad weird. But I just couldn’t resist this one, I mean hello it is about a bookstore!

In this adorable book we go to Badger Books. Run by, as you may expect, a badger. His bookshop is one from the dreams. It doesn’t look that big but it is gigantic. With shelves going so high you need a big big ladder. With hidden nooks and crannies. With some signposts to help you find your way. There are BIG books and itty bitty books. Yup. Badger has something for each of his clients. From books for bugs (set on a small table with tiny bookstacks and a little light) to books for giraffes. It was just so much fun and I desperately tried tapping my book in the hopes I could visit Badger Books as well. I also want to read those worstsellers, that sounds like a hoot. I am curious what books those are.

Plus, I love how Badger loves his books and loves helping people. You need a book? He can help! Well, until Rory appears with a non-existent book.

And at first I liked Rory, I mean it was cute that he really wanted a story, but eventually he did get annoying. Badger doesn’t have the book. The book doesn’t exist. Don’t go everyday and bother that guy. He is busy at work and has told you NO. I am glad with how things were resolved in the end (Badger and Rory making the book), but I did think it was weird that the kid wanted to read the book, I mean, it is your story????? You know what it is about??? Hello??? Am I missing something?

The illustrations were fun. The animals were a bit weird at times for me, but the bookstore and the backgrounds at other places looked nice/pretty~

All in all, I had fun with this one. Just a shame about Rory. But at least the bookstore really makes up for it.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/