Illustrator and author Janosch dies at 95 on Tenerife

The Reader Times desk 5 November 2026 Based on Börsenblatt reporting

Engraved illustration of a writer’s study with books, a desk and warm window light. — Editorial illustration for The Reader Times.

Renowned German children’s book creator Janosch has died at 95 while on the Spanish island of Tenerife, the German Press Agency reports.

Janosch, whose real name was Horst Eckert, was celebrated for his whimsical illustrations and stories that have become staples of German children’s literature.

He passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95 while staying on Tenerife, according to the German Press Agency.

Among his most beloved works is the picture book “Oh, wie schön ist Panama,” which earned him the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 1979.

The award recognized the book’s enduring appeal and its contribution to youth literature in Germany.

Janosch’s legacy includes a prolific output of illustrated books that continue to be read by new generations worldwide.