Authors like Franz Hohler
Franz Hohler’s style — marked by humor, surrealism, and layers of meaning — finds close parallels in the following authors
Daniel Pinkwater — Known for his quirky and surreal narratives, Pinkwater’s books like Lizard Music and The Big Orange Splot feature oddball characters and whimsical plots that subtly address themes of individuality and creativity, similar to Hohler’s playful style.
Russell Hoban — Books like The Mouse and His Child have an unusual, almost philosophical tone that dives into deeper themes while remaining accessible to young readers. Hoban’s worlds feel offbeat and slightly mysterious, inviting children to question the nature of reality.
Tove Jansson — The Finnish author of The Moomins series captures that blend of whimsy and melancholy often found in Hohler’s work. Jansson’s stories are endearingly strange, with gentle yet deep insights into friendship, nature, and family.
Edward Gorey — Known for his darkly comic picture books like The Gashlycrumb Tinies, Gorey’s style is more gothic, but his approach to storytelling is marked by a similar deadpan humor and subtle absurdity, capturing both the fanciful and the eerie.
Arnold Lobel — Author of the Frog and Toad series, Lobel’s tales are whimsical yet poignant, often exploring the idiosyncrasies of friendship and everyday adventures with a gentle humor that echoes Hohler’s style.
Shaun Tan — With books like The Lost Thing and Tales from Outer Suburbia, Tan uses strange, surreal visuals and imaginative plots to touch on deep themes, much like Hohler’s way of embedding life’s mysteries within accessible storytelling.
