Born 16 September 1965 in Düsseldorf. Martin Baltscheit studied communication design at the Folkwang Academy, Essen, where he qualified as a communication designer in 1996. From 1986 to 1992 he was a member of the ‘Junges Ensemble Düsseldorf’ theatre group. He started out as an innovative comic-strip artist, but then turned mainly to writing and illustrating picture books. His output also includes numerous radio plays and cartoon films. He was involved as both presenter and writer in Westdeutscher Rundfunk’s children’s programme Bärenbude. Since 1997 he has also acted in radio plays and commercials.

Photo: © private collection

Awards:

• 1992 Prizewinner, Ehapa German Comic Open
• 1998 Audiobook of the month ('Kurz the kicker')
• 2001 Awarded the Düsseldorf Emerging Talent Prize for Die Zeichner (‘The graphic artists’)
• 2002 Awarded the North Rhine-Westphalia Children’s Book Prize for ‘The only bird not afraid of the rain’
• 2008 Awarded the Hamelin Ratcatcher Prize for Literature (together with Zoran Drvenkar) for their book Zarah. Du hast doch keine Angst, oder? [Zarah. you’re not afraid, are you?]
• 2009 Awarded the North Rhine-Westphalia Children’s Book Prize for Felline, Professor Paul und der Chemiebaukasten [Felline, Professor Paul and the chemistry set]