Mr. Benjamin's Mysterious Suitcase

★ 2017 3x3 International Illustration Award (Picture Book Category) Silver Medalist
★ Selected for the 2017 Biennial of Illustration Bratislava
★ Shortlisted for "Germany's Most Beautiful Books" 2017
★ Featured in Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
★ Featured in Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung
★ Featured in Switzerland's Neue Zürcher Zeitung
★ Featured in The New York Times
★ Monthly cover artist for Germany's authoritative children's literature magazine Eselsohr
★ Selected as "Book of the Month" by the Institute for Youth Literature, Vienna, Austria
★ Selected for "The Best Seven Books for Young Adults" by Germany's Focus magazine and German public radio

★★★ A shining star in the picture book world from Taiwan, with the Chinese edition proudly launched! ★★★

Let this picture book show you how to talk to children about history, humanity, and freedom.

Pei-Yu Chang from Taiwan, despite completing her first children's picture book in German, uses a mysterious suitcase to lead children into a crucial chapter of human history…

Mr. Benjamin is a philosopher who loves to think and whose mind is always full of brilliant ideas. However, one day, his country decides to round up all those with unique ideas. So Mr. Benjamin seeks Mrs. Fittko's help, embarking on a great escape plan over mountains and valleys… and he insists on carrying a heavy suitcase.

What exactly is inside Mr. Benjamin's suitcase? Why is he willing to risk his life to protect this mysterious suitcase? Did he finally succeed in crossing the border and reaching a land of freedom?
 

Features of this book:

[The first Taiwanese picture book author to create in German, with a striking debut] Author Pei-Yu Chang's first attempt, creating the picture book "The Mysterious Suitcase of Mr. Benjamin" (Der geheimnisvolle Koffer von Herrn Benjamin) in German, her non-native language, has already seen English, Portuguese, and Chinese translations, among others, released successively, making her a highly anticipated new talent.

[A unique refugee theme, drawing parallels between ancient and modern humanitarian concerns] Based on the true story of German philosopher Walter Benjamin escaping Nazi persecution, it depicts a story of pursuing truth and freedom during a time of war, filled with courage and compassion along the way. Connecting to the unresolved refugee issues of today, it offers a thought-provoking theme that sets it apart from typical children's books.

[Mixed media creative techniques, bringing mysterious and surreal imagery] Using mixed collage and paper-cutting techniques, combined with hand-drawn pastel and pencil styles, amidst bright colors and prominent character designs, it creates a lively tone that seems at odds with the heavy historical truth, yet also reveals an absurd sense of helplessness within a surreal atmosphere.