Struwwelpeter-Museum

The Struwwelpeter-Museum at Hinter dem Lämmchen 2 in the Altstadt of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is a small museum devoted to Heinrich Hoffmann, the Frankfurt physician and writer who created the children's book Struwwelpeter in 1845. Hoffmann originally drew the cautionary tales as a Christmas present for his young son, and they were published as a picture book that became one of the best-known German children's books, with stories such as the boy who refuses to cut his hair, Fidgety Philip, and Soup-Kaspar who will not eat his soup. The book has been translated into dozens of languages, including an English adaptation in the nineteenth century by Mark Twain under the title Slovenly Peter, and has inspired parodies and illustrators around the world. The museum presents original drawings, manuscripts, early and foreign-language editions and objects connected to Hoffmann's life and to his work as a doctor and a reformer of care for people with mental illness. The rooms are compact, and a visit takes 45 to 60 minutes, which makes it a suitable stop between larger sights. The tone of the stories, which are grim by modern standards, makes the museum interesting for adults looking at changing ideas about childhood as well as for children, though very young visitors may find some of the illustrations frightening. Visiting hours and ticket prices are set by the museum, normally Tuesday to Sunday, and should be confirmed at struwwelpeter-museum.de before going. Weekday afternoons are generally quiet, while school holidays bring families. The museum lies about five minutes on foot from the Römerberg and Hauptwache, and nearby attractions include the Römer, the cathedral and the Schirn Kunsthalle. Photography rules should be checked at the desk, because original works and loans may be protected. Combining it with a stroll through the old town fills a pleasant half-day.