The Fantastic Adventures of Baron Munchausen

by Heinz Janisch, Aljoscha Blau (Illustrator)

Munchausen is the father of all fantastic liars, and as such, he is part magician and entertainer and part scoundrel—but a charming one, of course! Here, in simple language, Heinz Janisch retells the best-known Munchausen stories with humor and playfulness, making for a lighter and more whimsical presentation than usual. These retellings are mixed with never-before-heard adventures that were supposedly found only recently among the long-lost possessions of the well-known Baron of Lies. Could it be that new Munchausen material only recently came to light? Or might Janisch be playing with us, weaving more magic and mischief into Munchausen as he goes along, compounding the tallness of these already tall tales? Only Janisch knows for sure, but it hardly matters, given the thrill and pleasure of the stories he has to relate. Aljoscha Blau illustrates Munchausen's fabulous journeys and exciting adventures with gorgeous imaginative pictures that are sure to entrance both children and adults. Heinz Janisch was born in Austria in 1960 and studied German literature in Vienna. He has published numerous books, including many children's titles, which have been translated into more than twelve languages. He was nominated for the 2009 Lindgren Memorial Award and has been nominated for the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2008 he received the Austrian picture book award. He lives in Vienna. Aljoscha Blau was born in 1972 in St. Petersburg and has been living in Germany since 1990. He studied art in Hamburg, has received several awards, and has exhibited his works in Paris, New York, Hamburg, and Bologna. He lives in Berlin with his wife and two children.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Heinz Janisch is an Austrian author of children's books.

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this book had been longer! It made me want to dig out my old book of Baron Munchausen stories and read it again. I wasn't thrilled with the illustrations here. For example, the illustration for the first story showed the people on the street wearing clothing from the 20th century while the Baron was wearing his 18th century outfit. There were other anachronistic outfits in other pictures. Nevertheless, I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a good tall tale!

[Kathryn]

I read a few of the stories here but wasn't wowed by them. It's pretty long for a picture book (I'm not even sure how much children would enjoy the tales) and I have so many other books to read that I'm not going to finish this. But, the illustrations are interesting and I could see where some people might enjoy the tall tales.

[Mh Weyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was familiar with the Baron Munchausen. He is a definite tall-taler who has done everything under the sun in a most fantastical way. (at least he claims to have). The exaggeration in these stories is loads of fun and even younger kids will pick up on the fact that it is a tall tale.

[Richard Joya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Silly, Aljoshcha Blau's lovely illustrations only make the absurd stories that much more silly. I told the story of how the horse got stuck on the church steeple and laughed when someone asked me if that really happened.

[Joanne Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

freaking love Baron Munchausen. beautiful art work.

[Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures of a rather hyperbolic and creative baron are fascinating. This book offers a few more tales from this unusual hero. I enjoy the lovely illustrations that accompany the clever and highly imaginative one-page stories, that blend seamlessly into the legends already told of this great lord. This feels like a new treasury to introduce children, and adults, to this character. Delightful vignettes to be used as bed time stories, hopefully, one's own imagination is fed and fired to add even more.

[Christine Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retells Baron Munchausen's boastful account of some of his incredible adventures around the world, including riding a cannonball during a spy mission and entering a whale's mouth to hear a musical concert. www.hcpl.net

Tall Tales

[Donalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blau's detailed illustrations and Janisch's clever retellings bring legendary German folk hero and liar, Baron Munchausen to life.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of fantasies to infuse great dreams into the heads of young explorers and eccentric crayon virtuosos.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining.

[Anna Nesterovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose it is a very ungrateful job to write old tales in a new way. The adventures of Baron Munchausen came to my life thirty years ago and are here to stay, incorporated into my perception of the world. This book... I am not quite sure what to think of it. "When I am cut, I endure, but when supplemented, it becomes intolerable." It was the only book about Munchausen in the library though, so I picked it up to read to my son. And he enjoyed it. But as it happens, tomorrow we'll have an older book, written by Rudolf Erich Raspe and illustrated by Gustave Doré. We'll see which one he likes more. Though this will also be in English and the English spelling of Baron Münchhausen's name jars me.