North South Publisher

What North South Publisher does

NordSüd Verlag AG is an independent Swiss children's book publisher founded in 1971 and headquartered in Zürich, with a German representative office (NordSüd Verlag GmbH) in Munich for EU regulatory compliance. The company produces high-quality illustrated picture books, classics, fairy tales, and bilingual/multilingual editions under sub-brands including Hörfux (free downloadable audiobooks) and bilibri (bilingual audiobooks), with a catalog exceeding 60 active titles spanning toddlers through older children. Core product franchises include Kleiner Eisbär by Hans de Beer (translated into 30+ languages since 1987), Der Regenbogenfisch by Marcus Pfister (with a Nov 2025 Augsburger Puppenkiste cinema adaptation), and the Mäuseabenteuer series by Torben Kuhlmann, supported by recent award-winning releases such as Der Wortschatz (Leipziger Buchfink 2025) and Herr Leopold.

The business generates revenue through three primary streams: physical and digital book sales priced in EUR (Germany/Austria) and CHF (Switzerland) ranging from approximately €7-€30, foreign rights and subsidiary-rights licensing (translation, theatrical adaptation, reading-aloud permissions), and a Swiss Federal Office of Culture Strukturbetrag structural grant for the 2025-2028 period. Distribution runs through DACH-region bookstore and retail partners supplemented by an owned e-commerce storefront, while a Foreign Rights division handles international licensing. Marketing combines a trade catalogue and bookseller previews, the Bandengeschichten monthly newsletter, social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), a DACH blogger network, and a robust live-events program (readings, illustration workshops, theatrical co-productions) at bookstores, libraries, and theaters. Leadership consists of Herwig Bitsche as Verleger und Geschäftsführer (Publisher and Managing Director).

Name

North South Publisher

Legal name

NordSüd Verlag AG

Website

https://nord-sued.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NordSüd Verlag AG is an independent Swiss children's book publisher (founded 1971, Zürich) producing illustrated picture books, classics, fairy tales, and bilingual editions for families and educators across the DACH region and international licensing markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Picture Book Publishing (MPAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humor, Gift & Specialty Format Books (Journals, Coloring, etc.) (MPAJAAAN), Children’s Nonfiction Publishing (MPAJAFAE)

Keywords

• Children's book publishing
• Picture books
• Illustrated children's literature
• Bilingual picture books
• Audiobook production

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: NordSüd Verlag generates revenue through the sale of physical and digital children's books, audiobooks, and companion materials (puzzle books, craft templates, posters, postcards, folding boxes, advent calendars, advertising materials) via bookstore partners, online retail, and its own website. Pricing is set for German (EUR), Austrian (EUR), and Swiss (CHF) markets.
2. Foreign Rights / Licensing: The company actively licenses its book catalog for translation into foreign languages (Foreign Rights division), theatrical adaptation (Nebenrechte), reading aloud permissions (Bücher vorlesen), and print reproduction permits (Abdruckgenehmigungen), generating international licensing and royalty revenue.
3. Structural Funding: The publisher receives a structural grant from the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (Bundesamt für Kultur) for the period 2025-2028.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

NordSüd Verlag AG is an independent Swiss children's book publisher that produces and sells illustrated picture books, fairy tales, and classics for young children (ages 0–12). The publisher curates a catalog of award-winning original titles and adaptations featuring internationally recognized characters (Kleiner Eisbär, Der Regenbogenfisch, Mäuseabenteuer, Heidi) and complements the printed books with free audiobooks (Hörfux), bilingual editions (bilibri), pedagogical companion materials, and licensed adaptations including theatrical productions and film.

Product overview

NordSüd Verlag AG is a Swiss children's book publisher headquartered in Zurich that produces picture books, illustrated children's literature, and audio-visual content. The core offering consists of their full program of picture books across categories including bestsellers, seasonal titles, fairy tales, classics, and Swiss-specific content. Key sub-brands include Hörfux (free downloadable audiobooks) and bilibri (multilingual picture book series). The publisher is known for internationally recognized character franchises including Der Regenbogenfisch (The Rainbow Fish), Kleiner Eisbär (Little Polar Bear) by Hans de Beer, and the Mäuseabenteuer (Mouse Adventures) series by Torben Kuhlmann featuring titles like Lindbergh, Armstrong, Edison, and Einstein. Recent notable releases include Der Wortschatz (award-winning vocabulary book by Gugger & Röthlisberger) and Herrn Leopold. The company also offers promotional materials for retailers, licensing services for rights, and hosts events including readings and workshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• bilibri: Bilingual audiobook series for multilingual learning
• Hörfux
• BilderBuchBande
• Mäuseabenteuer

Products and services

• NordSüd Verlag Picture Book Catalog (Gesamtprogramm) The publisher's complete catalog of children's picture books covering bestsellers, new releases, seasonal titles (Christmas, Easter), fairy tales, classics, Swiss titles, toddler books, foreign language editions, and educational content. Sold via bookstore partners and the publisher's own e-commerce storefront to families and institutions across the DACH region.
• Hörfux Audiobooks Free downloadable audiobooks accompanying selected picture book titles, allowing children to listen to stories read aloud. Audio downloads are accessed via codes found inside the imprint of each corresponding physical book.
• bilibri Bilingual Picture Books Multilingual picture book series with audio downloads available in multiple languages, supporting language learning and bilingual education for children and multilingual families.
• Mäuseabenteuer (Mouse Adventures) Series Torben Kuhlmann's acclaimed series of illustrated picture books featuring a small mouse on fantastical journeys (flight, the moon, underwater treasure hunts, and time travel). Titles include Lindbergh, Armstrong, Edison, and Einstein.
• Der Regenbogenfisch (The Rainbow Fish) Marcus Pfister's internationally beloved picture book about the Rainbow Fish who learns to share, with multiple spin-off books, board books, and merchandise. One of the publisher's flagship titles.
• Kleiner Eisbär (Little Polar Bear) Hans de Beer's beloved picture book series following Lars the little polar bear's adventures. Translated into 30 languages, with collected editions and companion titles.
• Heidi Book Line
• Der Wortschatz (The Vocabulary) Award-winning picture book by Rebecca Gugger and Simon Röthlisberger about Oscar who discovers a treasure chest full of words. Winner of the Leipziger Buchfink 2025 and multiple other awards.
• Brüder Grimm – Die schönsten Märchen (Collector's Edition)
• Die fabelhafte Geschichte von Herrn Leopold, der schweben konnte
• Events & Workshops (Veranstaltungen)
• Foreign Rights / Licensing Service
• Read Aloud Permission Service (Bücher vorlesen)

Quantifiable outcome

• Kleiner Eisbär (Lars) by Hans de Beer: 23 editions and 30+ language translations since 1987
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Theater Mummpitz, NürnbergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater Mummpitz in Nürnberg produces a theatrical adaptation of 'Der Dachs hat heute schlechte Laune' with German sign language interpretation, performed in July 2026. This represents a cultural/theatrical adaptation of NordSüd content.
• Theater RüsselsheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater Rüsselsheim produces 'Der Dachs hat heute schlechte Laune' in November 2026 as a theatrical performance with music and wit.
• Oh! Lese- und Geschichtenfestival, OttensheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Oh! Lese- und Geschichtenfestival für Kinder und Jugendliche in Ottensheim, Austria, hosts an illustration workshop with Katja Seifert for her book 'Auf in die Berge!' in July 2026.
• Augsburger PuppenkistecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Augsburger Puppenkiste (Augsburg Marionette Theater) produced a Der Regenbogenfisch film adaptation released in November 2025. The website prominently features this upcoming cinema release as a major publisher event.
• Stiftung LesenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStiftung Lesen (Reading Foundation) is cited as a supporter of NordSüd's literacy mission. Dr. Jörg Maas of Stiftung Lesen provided a quote endorsing 'Der Wortschatz' for promoting reading enjoyment among children.
• NordSüd Blogger Network ('Blogger:innen')minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNordSüd operates a dedicated blogger network for family and children's literature bloggers in the DACH region, featuring a dedicated section on its website (Blogger:innen) and regular blogger coverage for new releases.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Annette Betz Verlag: Vienna-based children's book imprint of the Ueberreuter group with a strong illustrated picture book list. Directly comparable in target audience, bilingual content potential, and DACH trade distribution.
• Hanser Verlag: Munich-based literary publisher with a strong children's and picture book imprint (Hanser Kinder). Comparable in editorial quality focus, illustration-led publishing, and DACH trade presence.
• Verlag Friedrich Oetinger: Hamburg-based independent children's book publisher with a long-running illustrated catalog and iconic characters (Die kleine Hexe, Räuber Hotzenplotz). Directly comparable in business model, target audience, and DACH trade distribution.
• Carlsen Verlag: Carlsen is one of the largest German-language children's book publishers, headquartered in Hamburg. It directly competes with NordSüd in illustrated picture books and is the most natural scale benchmark for a DACH-focused picture book publisher with similar target audience and trade channels.
• Loewe Verlag: German independent publisher based in Bindlach with a substantial illustrated children's book program. Directly comparable in size, family-owned private status, and focus on picture books for the DACH retail channel.
• Tulipan Verlag: Munich-based independent picture book publisher with a similar boutique approach to illustrated children's literature. Operates in the same DACH trade channel and shares a comparable scale and editorial ethos with NordSüd.
• Thienemann Verlag: Stuttgart-based traditional children's book publisher with a strong picture book and classic character catalog (e.g., Jim Knopf). Directly competes with NordSüd in illustrated picture books for the DACH market and operates a similar trade and licensing model.

Broad incumbents

• Usborne Publishing: UK-based independent children's book publisher with extensive foreign rights licensing into multiple languages including German. Comparable business model as an independent children's publisher with global translation reach, though operating at a larger scale than NordSüd.
• Ravensburger Verlag: Large Ravensburger group publishes children's books alongside its dominant games and puzzles business. A broader incumbent in the DACH children's media space whose picture book line overlaps with NordSüd at retail but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple product categories.
• Penguin Random House Children's Books: Global leader in children's publishing with extensive picture book operations across multiple imprints. Provides scale and licensing benchmark for picture book IP exploitation and international rights deals comparable to NordSüd's foreign rights model, while operating at vastly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPtN--azcmZLqwsu-9Zmz1w
• Facebookfacebook.com/NordSued
• Instagraminstagram.com/nordsuedverlag
• Xx.com/nordsuedverlag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about North South Publisher