(roughly translated as ''Timm Thaler, or the Traded Laughter'' and best known as simply ''Timm Thaler'') is a 1962 children's novel by German author

James Krüss James Krüss (31 May 1926 – 2 August 1997) was a German writer of children's literature, children's and picture books, illustrator, poet, dramatist, scriptwriter, translator, and collector of children's poems and folk songs. For his contributi ...

. Regarded by the ''Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature'' as Krüss' best known children's book, ''Timm Thaler'' tells the story of a boy who trades his enchanting laughter to a wealthy mysterious

Mephistopheles Mephistopheles ( , ), also known as Mephostophilis or Mephisto, is a demon featured in German folklore, originating as the chief devil in the Faust legend. He has since become a stock character appearing in Mephistopheles in the arts and popular ...

-like Baron in exchange for the ability to win any bet he makes. Regretting the exchange, he undertakes a four-year journey to win his laughter back. In 1979, Krüss wrote a sequel novel, (roughly translated as ''Timm Thaler's Puppets, or the Traded Love for Mankind''). The popular story was subsequently adapted into a 13-part German children's television miniseries in 1979, and again, as a 2-part Soviet musical television movie in 1981. The story was later re-adapted into an animated German television series in 2002.

References

1962 German novels 1962 science fiction novels 1962 fantasy novels 1962 children's books German science fiction novels German fantasy novels German children's novels German-language novels Science fantasy novels Children's science fiction novels Children's fantasy novels Metafictional novels Novels based on the Faust legend German novels adapted into films Science fiction novels adapted into films Fantasy novels adapted into films Children's books adapted into films German novels adapted into television shows Children's books adapted into television shows {{1960s-child-novel-stub

See also

References