Encyclopedia of German Culture

We've found it: a rigorous study of life in Germany, an insightful collection of customs, traditions, and social mores. Install it in German classes, gift it to new German residents - this trustworthy encyclopedia of German culture is straight from the horse's mouth.

I present to you The Conni Books: 99 cents, pocket-sized paperbacks, each sold separately.
Oh, yes, it's written for children. But don't adults return to a form of childhood when they begin a new life as a foreigner? (I have a bit to say on that subject, but it can wait for a later post.) Chris and I like learning new vocab words, Daisy likes to - need I say it? - memorize and recite the text, and we all enjoy the mini snapshots they provide of German life.

One of the first things that Conni cleared up for us was the purpose of the Schultüte (school package). Kids here go to Kindergarten from age 3-6, and then head to their "first day of school" at age 6, like the American first grade. This is considered a big milestone; grandparents even come over for breakfast that day to send them off. Shops also exhibit a colorful variety of large cardboard or plastic cones. Chris and I knew that they were for candy or toys., but questions remained unsolved....were they presents for the teacher? Surprises for the kids? Do the kids exchange candy on the first day like Valentines in US elementary schools?

Would you have guessed that the kids get the exciting package that morning, carry it to school and place it beside their desks...still unopened...and schlepp it home again at the end of the day to finally see what's inside?
Well, that's the tradition. Thank you, Conni. The text here kind of translates as "Once she's home, Conni's finally allowed to unpack her cone. So much is inside! Too bad you only get a Schultüte on the first day of school."

Here's Conni at a trip to the sea - yes, topless. It's all part of that European comfort with nudity. You should see the page where they're waiting in line for the showers in the dressing room!

Here's the St. Nicolas tradition of cleaning your boots on the night of December 5 and finding them filled with treats the next morning:

Later in that book, there's this cozy portrayal of a Christmas market. Everything's here: the Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Heisse Maroni (roasted chestnuts), the organ guy...this will bring back such good memories someday.

Apparently, I've been wasting my energy as I try to come up with my own descriptions of life in Germany - it's all published! It's a little deflating when I realize that I'm hardly a Lewis or a Clark as I explore this new country. I guess the good part is that now I don't have to photograph other people's kids at the beach or creepily stalk children on their first day of school to add pictures to my blog posts. The Conni Books will surely stay on our bookshelves for years to come, a wonderful "encyclopedia" for teaching Daisy and reliving our experiences here.