Klett children's book

What Klett children's book does

Klett Kinderbuch Verlag GmbH is a Leipzig-based independent children's book publisher founded in 2008 as a subsidiary of the Stuttgart Klett Group and operating independently since 2015. The company specializes in German-language illustrated and narrative books for children aged 2-12, releasing 7-10 new titles every six months across picture books, children's stories, comics and graphic novels, multi-volume series (Mira, Rocco Randale, Wir Kinder von früher), everyday-knowledge non-fiction, and a dedicated reluctant-reader program called Lesensretter. Editorial positioning centers on socially engaged themes including diversity, body positivity, political awareness, emotional literacy, and historical childhood narratives, with award recognition including the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis, White Ravens selection, Silberner Pinsel, Else-Beskow-Plakette, and Buch des Monats designations.

The business model is traditional publishing: Klett Kinderbuch generates revenue primarily through unit-priced book sales (EUR 10-16 per title, German [D] and Austrian [A] list prices) distributed via independent bookstores, chains (Genialokal, Buchhandlung Grümmer), wholesale distributors (Auslieferung), and a direct-to-consumer website. Secondary revenue streams include pedagogical materials for Kita and schools, branded merchandise (postcards, tote bags), and audiobook adaptations through partners like Igel Records. The free newsletter functions as a marketing channel rather than a revenue source. The company does not operate proprietary technology platforms; its technical footprint is limited to a content website, Book2Look preview integration, and Antolin.de reading-comprehension platform linking.

Customers span four distinct segments: end consumers (children aged 2-12 reading or being read to), parents and families making purchasing decisions, educators (Pädagog:innen) in kindergartens and schools adopting titles with support materials, and the German-Austrian book trade that stocks titles. Field sales representatives (Außendienst) cover the trade channel, while digital channels (Facebook, Instagram, newsletter, press coverage in Börsenblatt, F.A.Z., Stuttgarter Zeitung) drive consumer and educator awareness. The publisher participates in literary events including the Internationaler Comic-Salon Erlangen. Geographic scope is explicitly DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), with no disclosed expansion outside the German-speaking market.

Name

Klett children's book

Legal name

Klett Kinderbuch Verlag GmbH

Website

https://klett-kinderbuch.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Klett Kinderbuch Verlag GmbH is an independent Leipzig-based children's book publisher releasing 14-20 titles per year for ages 2-12 across picture books, series, comics, and non-fiction, distributed to German-speaking retailers, educators, and parents via the DACH book trade and direct channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Readers & Chapter Books Publishing (MPAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s Educational & Curriculum Publishing (MPAJAFAF), Children’s Comics, Graphic Novels & Manga Publishing (MPAJAFAH)

Keywords

• Children's book publishing
• Picture books
• Educational materials
• Book series
• Young adult fiction

Headquarters

HQ city

Leipzig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Traditional publishing revenue from selling children's books through book retailers. The company publishes 7-10 new titles every six months for children ages 2-12.
2. Educational Materials: Sale of pedagogical materials and downloads for educators (Pädagog:innen) supporting book use in Kita and schools.
3. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise such as tote bags featuring Anke Kuhl's illustrations.
4. Newsletter Subscription: Free newsletter distribution with opt-in consent for marketing communications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Klett Kinderbuch Verlag GmbH is an independent children's book publisher that produces 7 to 10 new titles every six months for children aged 2 to 12 and the adults who read with them. Its catalog spans picture books, narrative children's stories, comics and graphic novels, non-fiction everyday-knowledge titles, and multi-volume series, supplemented by pedagogical support materials for educators and branded merchandise. Distribution is handled through the German and Austrian book trade, the publisher's own website, and dedicated educator channels.

Product overview

Klett Kinderbuch Verlag GmbH is a children's book publisher founded in 2008 as a subsidiary of the Klett Group in Stuttgart, becoming independent in 2015. The company publishes 7-10 new titles every six months for children aged 2-12. Their portfolio includes picture books (Bilderbuch & mehr), children's stories (Kindergeschichten), comics & graphic novels, series such as Mira, Rocco Randale, and Wir Kinder von früher, everyday knowledge books (Alltagswissen), and the Lesensretter program for reluctant readers. They also offer pedagogical support materials for educators and non-book merchandise including postcards. Books are categorized by themes including family, feelings, school adventures, humor (Quatsch), language play, award-winning titles (Preisgekrönt), diversity, and political topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bilderbuch & mehr (Picture Books) Picture books and related content for young children featuring illustrations and simple stories, targeting children aged 2 to 12 and the adults who read with them.
• Kindergeschichten (Children's Stories) Narrative children's books and stories covering various age groups within the 2 to 12 year range, including themes such as family, feelings, school, humor, and diversity.
• Comics & Graphic Novels Comic and graphic novel format books for children, including series adaptations such as 'Galaktisch geheime Alien-Geheimnisse' with glow-in-dark cover.
• Mira Series A multi-volume children's book series featuring the character Mira, with topics including friends, braces, sisters, summer houses, ghosts, family, Paris, and growing up. Authored by Sabine Lemire and Rasmus Bregnhøi.
• Rocco Randale Series Humorous children's series featuring the character Rocco Randale, with titles covering school adventures, chaos, and everyday situations such as 'Zoff mit Zahnarzt' (96 pages, priced at EUR 10.00 D / EUR 10.30 A).
• Wir Kinder von früher Series Series of autobiographical childhood stories including 'Pferde, Tränen, Lachanfälle', 'Wie ein Vogel', 'Es geschah auch kein Unfug', and 'Geheimnis', dealing with historical childhood experiences.
• Alltagswissen (Everyday Knowledge Books) Non-fiction and educational books covering everyday topics and knowledge for children, including titles on body awareness, family structures, and political topics.
• Lesensretter (Reading Savers) A special collection and program designed to help reluctant readers (Lesemuffel) engage with reading through age-appropriate book selections.
• Pädagogisches Begleitmaterial (Educational Support Materials) Pedagogical support materials for educators including kindergarten (Kita) and school (Schule) resources, plus the virtual Spielplatz with free downloadable activity ideas.
• Non-Book Merchandise (Postcards & Tote Bags) Non-book products including postcard sets (e.g., 'Alle Kinder' mixed postcard set with 12 designs) and merchandise such as the Jubilee tote bag (EUR 12.00 D / EUR 12.00 A, 38 x 42 x 10 cm) featuring illustrations from Klett Kinderbuch titles.
• Audiobooks (Hörspiele) Audio book versions of Klett Kinderbuch titles produced in partnership with Igel Records, such as the audiobook of 'Pullerpause im Tal der Ahnungslosen' by Franziska Gehm.

Quantifiable outcome

• 41+ award-winning books in catalog (Preisgekrönt tag)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Genialokal (Online Book Retailer)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent online book retailer platform where Klett Kinderbuch titles are sold directly to end consumers.
• Buchhandlung GrümmercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent bookstore partner distributing Klett Kinderbuch titles through their catalog platform.
• UNO-FlüchtlingshilfeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for exhibition hosting. UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe provides comprehensive exhibitions about refugee children for schools, libraries, churches and other public spaces featuring the book 'Manchmal male ich ein Haus für uns'.
• Igel RecordsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAudio book partner that produced an audiobook version (Hörspiel) of 'Pullerpause im Tal der Ahnungslosen' by Franziska Gehm.
• Klett Group (Stuttgart)coreOthersParent company relationship. Founded in 2008 as a subsidiary of the large Stuttgart Klett Group; became independent in 2015.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Carlsen Verlag: Germany's leading children's and YA book publisher, part of Bonnier. Directly comparable as a German-language publisher of picture books, chapter books, comics, and graphic novels for the same 2-12 audience, including award-winning titles on sensitive topics.
• Gerstenberg Verlag: Independent German publisher focused on high-quality illustrated children's books and non-fiction. Comparable in literary-caliber picture books and editorial focus on social themes.
• Arena Verlag: Würzburg-based independent children's and YA publisher. Comparable in producing German-language picture books, chapter books, and educational children's titles for the same age range and book trade channels.
• Loewe Verlag: Independent German children's and YA publisher known for series-driven picture books and chapter books. Directly comparable in audience, format mix, and family-owned independent structure.
• Thienemann Verlag: Stuttgart-based publisher of high-quality picture books and children's literature, including sensitive-topic content. Comparable editorial sensibility and award-tracked catalog, with similar DACH distribution.
• Tulipan Verlag: Small independent German children's book publisher based in Munich, specializing in picture books and illustrated children's fiction. Closely comparable in scale, independent status, and editorial focus on illustrated quality children's books.
• Oetinger Verlag: Hamburg-based independent children's book publisher producing picture books, children's stories, and YA titles in German. Highly comparable in mission, audience, and editorial style, with strong presence in the German book trade.
• Hanser Verlag (Carl Hanser Verlag): Munich-based literary publisher with a strong children's and YA list, including award-winning picture books and chapter books. Comparable in editorial quality and recognition, though larger and broader in scope.
• Beltz & Gelberg: German publisher renowned for literary children's and YA fiction, including award-winning titles on political and social themes. Strong editorial overlap with Klett Kinderbuch's sensitive-topic positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Ravensburger Verlag: Major German publisher and games company with a substantial children's book division. Comparable broad portfolio across picture books, non-fiction, and audio for children, but operates at much larger scale and broader scope than Klett Kinderbuch.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.de/klettkinderbuch
• Instagraminstagram.com/klettkinderbuch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Klett children's book