Janosch: key obituary facts
Is Janosch dead? Yes. Janosch died on November 3, 2026, at age 95.
Cause of death: Janosch's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Janosch known for?
He was a German children's writer, illustrator, and novellist (born 1931).
More about Janosch
Born: 11 March 1931.
Place of birth: Zabrze.
Gender: male.
Occupation: illustrator, children's writer, playwright, photographer, textile designer, writer, librettist, novelist.
Nationality: Germany.
Notable work: Janoschs Traumstunde.
Awards: Andreas Gryphius Prize, Literary Prize of the State Capital of Munich, Bayerischer Poetentaler, Toucan Prize, Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Silver Brush, Morenhovener Lupe.
Also known as: Horst Eckert.
Janosch, the German children’s author and illustrator born Horst Eckert, died November 3, 2026, aged 95.
He was born on March 11, 1931, in Hindenburg, now Zabrze, Poland, to a family of mixed German and Polish origin; he described his nationality as Silesian. After World War II, his family fled to West Germany, where he worked in a textile mill in the Oldenburg area.
He later lived in Munich. By 1980, he had published more than 100 books for children, which had appeared in nearly 30 languages. Among his characters was the Tigerente, featured in Oh, wie schön ist Panama, as well as the little tiger and little bear. Janoschs Traumstunde was among his notable works. He also wrote books for adults, addressing childhood experiences in a household with an abusive father and a devoutly Catholic mother. His work extended beyond children’s writing to novels, plays, librettos, photography and textile design. His honors included the Andreas Gryphius Prize, the Toucan Prize and the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.