Tessloff Verlag
Tessloff Verlag is a Nürnberg-based German children's book publisher, best known for the WAS IST WAS non-fiction series (since 1961, 77M+ copies, 75+ countries), with complementary BOOKii audio-pen hardware, school learning lines, and fiction brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersNürnberg, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Tessloff Verlag does
Tessloff Verlag is a German children's book publisher headquartered in Nürnberg and organized as Ragnar Tessloff GmbH & Co. KG. The company operates with 51-100 employees and traces its flagship brand to 1961, when founder Ragnar Tessloff adapted the American 'HOW & WHY' non-fiction series into German as 'WAS IST WAS'. The series has since accumulated more than 77 million copies sold and is licensed in over 75 countries, making Tessloff one of Germany's leading publishers of children's non-fiction. The catalog spans the core WAS IST WAS sub-lines (Das Original, Junior, Kids, Erstes Lesen, Wissenschaften easy), learning and exercise brands (Fit für die Schule, LERNSTERN), fiction series (Der kleine Major Tom, Die ZeitBande, Die DatenDetektive), the legacy MOSAIK von Hannes Hegen comics, and activity/puzzle titles. Distribution is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer via tessloff.com, wholesale through LKG (Germany), Mohr Morawa (Austria), and AVA (Switzerland), plus a pop-up store in Nürnberg and a Foreign Rights department licensing international publishers.
The company operates a proprietary hardware-software platform under the BOOKii brand, comprising an audio pen device ('Hörstift') and associated interactive sticker packs and books that trigger pre-recorded audio (sounds, character voices, music, text-to-speech) plus a recording function for child-generated content. Complementary digital channels include DRM-watermarked eBooks, a WAS IST WAS podcast, a voice quiz skill on Amazon Alexa, and active presence across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn, plus a blogger outreach program.
Tessloff's revenue mechanics combine one-time physical book sales (subject to German Buchpreisbindung price maintenance, with units priced roughly €3.95–€16), digital product licensing, BOOKii hardware revenue, institutional sales to schools and kindergartens, and recurring foreign rights royalties. In 2022 the company became the first children's publisher worldwide to be certified under the 'Paris-aligned strategy' seal from right. based on science GmbH and the first to publish a complete DNK sustainability statement, and in August 2024 it released a themed 'WAS IST WAS Demokratie' volume on civic education, signaling continued brand extension rather than category pivot.
Tessloff Verlag firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tessloff Verlag
- Legal name
- Ragnar Tessloff GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://tessloff.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Tessloff Verlag is a Nürnberg-based German children's book publisher, best known for the WAS IST WAS non-fiction series (since 1961, 77M+ copies, 75+ countries), with complementary BOOKii audio-pen hardware, school learning lines, and fiction brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tessloff Verlag industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Children’s Nonfiction Publishing (MPAJAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Children’s Reference & Informational Series Publishing (MPAJAFAN), Children’s Educational & Curriculum Publishing (MPAJAFAF), Early Readers & Chapter Books Publishing (MPAJAFAB), Children’s Activity & Workbook Publishing (MPAJAFAG), Children’s Activity & Practice Books (Workbooks, Puzzles, Handwriting) (EDAGAIAE), Children’s Nonfiction Educational (Science, History, Nature) (EDAGAIAC)
Keywords
Where Tessloff Verlag is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nürnberg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Tessloff Verlag business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Physical Book Sales: Sale of printed children's books through retail channels and direct online shop. Subject to German book price binding. Includes WAS IST WAS series, activity books, coloring books, and fiction series.
- Digital Products: Sale of eBooks and audio downloads including CDs and DVDs of audio plays. Digital products are watermarked and licensed for personal use only.
- Foreign Rights Licensing: International licensing of publication rights for WAS IST WAS and other series to publishers in over 75 countries worldwide.
- Interactive Hardware (BOOKii): Sale of the BOOKii audio pen device and associated sticker packs for interactive learning experiences.
- School & Learning Materials: Educational materials for kindergarten, preschool, and primary school including exercise books, learning cards, and teaching resources.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | WAS IST WAS Original Series |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | WAS IST WAS Junior Series |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Quiz Blocks and Stickers |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Activity Books (Zaubermalbücher) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Audio Products (CDs/DVDs) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | WAS IST WAS Complete Series (55 volumes) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels12 records
Tessloff Verlag product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tessloff Verlag publishes and sells children's books and related educational content, led by the long-running "WAS IST WAS" non-fiction series for young readers, alongside interactive learning products built around the BOOKii audio pen system. The portfolio also includes fiction series (Der kleine Major Tom, Die ZeitBande, Die DatenDetektive), the MOSAIK comic classics, school-learning materials (LERNSTERN, Fit für die Schule), audio plays, activity books, and special editions.
Product overview
Tessloff Verlag is a German children's book publisher specializing in non-fiction and fiction titles for children of all ages. The company's flagship product is the WAS IST WAS non-fiction series (published since 1961), available in sub-brands for different age groups: WAS IST WAS Das Original (8+), Junior (4-7), Kids (younger children), and Erstes Lesen/Erstes Lesen easy (early readers). The company also offers the BOOKii interactive audio pen platform, which brings books to life through sound and voice integration. Other core products include fiction series like Der kleine Major Tom, Die ZeitBande, Die DatenDetektive, and MOSAIK comics. Educational products include LERNSTERN and Fit für die Schule learning materials. Creative offerings encompass coloring, sticker, puzzle, and activity books. The company also publishes audio plays, podcasts, and DVD content, making it a comprehensive children's media publisher.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WAS IST WAS: The leading international non-fiction children book series for children aged 8+, publishing since 1961. Includes sub-series: Das Original, Spezial, Meine Welt, Junior, Kids, Erstes Lesen, Wissenschaften easy, and more.
- BOOKii
- Der kleine Major Tom
- Die ZeitBande
- Die DatenDetektive
- Fit für die Schule
- LERNSTERN
- MOSAIK von Hannes Hegen
Products and services
- WAS IST WAS children's non-fiction book series A long-running German children's non-fiction book series for young readers, covering topics such as volcanoes, knights, football, dinosaurs, and the human body; published under one of the most recognised children's fact-book brands in the German-speaking market.
- BOOKii Hörstift (audio pen system) An interactive audio pen system that reads specially coded pages of companion books aloud, designed to combine screen-free interactive learning with reading for children; sold as pen-plus-book sets.
- Der kleine Major Tom (children's fiction series) A children's fiction book series following the character "Der kleine Major Tom" on space adventures; targeted at primary-school-age readers.
- Die ZeitBande (children's fiction series) A children's fiction book series centred on time-travel adventures, published by Tessloff Verlag for young readers.
- Die DatenDetektive (children's fiction series) A children's fiction book series featuring detective-themed storylines that introduce technology and data topics to young readers.
- MOSAIK von Hannes Hegen Reprints/editions of the classic MOSAIK comic series created by Hannes Hegen, distributed by Tessloff Verlag for children and comics readers.
- LERNSTERN educational workbooks Educational workbooks and practice materials for primary-school children, covering school subjects and structured exercises.
- Fit für die Schule school-learning products School-learning materials under the "Fit für die Schule" brand, designed to help children prepare for German primary-school curricula.
- WAS IST WAS Hörspiele (audio plays) Audio-play adaptations of WAS IST WAS topics released on CD/DVD, marketed as WAS IST WAS Hörspiele for children.
- WAS IST WAS Podcast The official WAS IST WAS podcast, extending the brand into audio/podcast distribution of children's fact content.
- Kreatives & Rätseln (activity books) A portfolio of activity books for children, covering coloring, sticker, puzzle, and crafting categories under the Kreatives & Rätseln shop category.
- WAS IST WAS Demokratie special edition A WAS IST WAS special-edition title focused on democracy, aimed at educating children about civic topics.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% CO₂e reduction per volume
Companies that use Tessloff Verlag
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tessloff Verlag technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
Tessloff Verlag partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- LKG Leipziger Kommissions- und Großbuchhandelsgesellschaft mbH (Agorando Technologies GmbH)corePrimary German distribution partner handling order fulfillment, warehousing, and logistics for Tessloff products. Based in Rötha, Germany with direct contact through [email protected]. Processes customer orders from tessloff.com online shop and serves as the returns processing center for authorized remittenda.
- Mohr Morawa Buchvertrieb GmbHcoreAustrian distribution partner responsible for book distribution in Austria. Located at Sulzengasse 2, 1230 Vienna. Handles order processing and fulfillment for Austrian book trade customers.
- AVA Verlagsauslieferung AGcoreSwiss distribution partner for Tessloff products in Switzerland. Located at Industrie Nord 9, 5634 Merenschwand. Handles logistics and distribution for Swiss book market.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tessloff Verlag competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Geographic Kids: Children's nonfiction imprint of National Geographic producing fact books on science, nature, history, and technology for ages 8+. Direct competitor in the children's nonfiction/fact book category that anchors Tessloff's WAS IST WAS series.
- Carlsen Verlag: Carlsen is one of Germany's leading children's book publishers (part of Penguin Random House), producing fiction and nonfiction for young readers. Overlaps directly with Tessloff across children's picture books, early readers, and children's nonfiction in the DACH market.
- Usborne Publishing: Independent UK children's book publisher specializing in age-appropriate nonfiction, activity books, and early learning titles. Closely comparable to Tessloff in product mix (children's nonfiction fact books, workbooks, sticker/activity books) and end-customers (parents, schools).
- Dorling Kindersley (DK): Global illustrated reference and children's nonfiction publisher (Penguin Random House) producing fact-rich, visually driven books on science, history, nature, and technology. Direct competitor in visually rich children's nonfiction reference.
- Oetinger Verlag: One of Germany's largest independent children's book publishers, known for picture books, audio plays (Hörspiele), and early-reader fiction. Direct peer with overlapping formats (print + audio) and DACH retail distribution.
- Thienemann-Esslinger Verlag: German children's book publisher with strong fiction, picture book, and audio play (Hörspiel) portfolio. Direct peer in the DACH children print+audio market with overlap in early-reader and audio formats.
- LOEWE Verlag: Independent German children's book publisher with strong fiction and early-reader titles. Direct peer in the DACH children's book market with overlapping age-band coverage and bookstore distribution.
- Franckh-Kosmos Verlagsgesellschaft: German publisher of children's nature, science, and experiment kits and books. Closely comparable German-language competitor for science/nature fact titles for children aged 6-12.
Broad incumbents
- Ravensburger Verlag: Major German games and book publisher with broad children's product portfolio including picture books, nonfiction, and educational products. Larger and more diversified incumbent in the same DACH children's media space.
- Penguin Random House Children's UK: Global incumbent publishing children's fiction and nonfiction (including DK, Ladybird) across retail and institutional channels. Operates at a much larger scale in the same end-market Tessloff serves.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tessloff Verlag social profiles
Digital presenceTessloff Verlag compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Tessloff Verlag financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tessloff Verlag leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Tessloff Verlag funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tessloff Verlag M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tessloff Verlag
What does Tessloff Verlag do?
Tessloff Verlag publishes and sells children's books and related educational content, led by the long-running "WAS IST WAS" non-fiction series for young readers, alongside interactive learning products built around the BOOKii audio pen system. The portfolio also includes fiction series (Der kleine Major Tom, Die ZeitBande, Die DatenDetektive), the MOSAIK comic classics, school-learning materials (LERNSTERN, Fit für die Schule), audio plays, activity books, and special editions.
Is Tessloff Verlag a public or private company?
Tessloff Verlag is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tessloff Verlag founded?
Tessloff Verlag was founded in 1961. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Tessloff Verlag based?
Tessloff Verlag is headquartered in Nürnberg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Tessloff Verlag make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Physical Book Sales are the primary driver. The others are digital Products, foreign Rights Licensing, interactive Hardware (BOOKii) and school & Learning Materials.
Who are Tessloff Verlag's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Geographic Kids, Carlsen Verlag, Usborne Publishing, Dorling Kindersley (DK), Oetinger Verlag, Thienemann-Esslinger Verlag, LOEWE Verlag and Franckh-Kosmos Verlagsgesellschaft. Broad incumbents are Ravensburger Verlag and Penguin Random House Children's UK.
Does Tessloff Verlag have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tessloff Verlag.
What industry is Tessloff Verlag in?
Tessloff Verlag's product category is Children's Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAFAE, Children’s Nonfiction Publishing, with a secondary code of MPAJAFAN, Children’s Reference & Informational Series Publishing. Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.