Oliver Weiss Illustration

For a podcast produced by Germany’s public broadcasting network, MDR, Markus Wetterauer interviewed me about my book In vollen Zügen (Full Steam Ahead: A Typology of Train Travelers).

The podcast explores the unique perspective that train travelers develop on the world: whether speeding through distant countries on an express train or riding small regional lines close to home—railway passengers experience landscapes, cities, and people in their own distinctive way. The fascination of the technology makes children’s eyes light up—and, secretly, those of many adults as well.

In our lively conversation, we talked about the different types of train travelers I describe in my book—and about the endless (and mostly fun) stories that often unfold between departure and arrival. The interview is available in the ARD Audiothek.

→ MDR Thüringen “Abenteuer Eisenbahn”
→ ARD Audiothek

I was so honored to receive the Meefisch Prize for Best Picture Book in the German language for Die Öblings kommen! (The Öblings Are Coming!) two years ago. Now, my award-winning book is finally seeing the light of day!

The book tells the hilarious story of a pig family thrown into chaos when they hear that the mysterious Öblings are coming to visit—even though no one has ever met them. A second garage is built, the treehouse gets a complete makeover, the front door is enlarged, and new furniture and even extra toilets are added, as the family scrambles to prepare for their unexpected guests.

Packed with humor and charming details, the book celebrates the wackiness of family antics. The illustrations blend hand-drawn artwork with collage elements to bring the lively, comedic world of the Öblings to life. The book is published by FISCHER SAUERLÄNDER. >MORE

→ Buy at Thalia | → Buy on Amazon

DIE ÖBLINGS KOMMEN!

Ach du grüne Neune! Die Öblings kommen! Verwandtenbesuch! Da müssen Vorbereitungen getroffen werden. Die Wände gestrichen, neue Möbel gekauft, eine zweite Garage muss her und ein riesiges Baumhaus im Garten wird auch noch gebaut.

Sind denn auch genug Toiletten da, wenn alle gleichzeitig mal aufs Klo müssen? Ohne Ende wird gewerkelt, gewaschen, eingekauft und gekocht, bis die Öblings endlich vor der Tür stehen. Eine rasante Vorlesegeschichte in einem Mix aus Zeichnung und haarstäubender Collage, in der sich so manche Familie wiedererkennen wird!

Das Buch gewann den „Meefisch“-­ Preis für das beste Bilderbuch in deutscher Sprache und erschien bei FISCHER SAUERLÄNDER. >MORE

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AUS MAIN-POST / 28.11.25

„Die Öblings kommen“ heißt das Meefisch-Gewinnerbuch von Oliver Weiss, das im Franck-Haus und im Rathaus ausgestellt ist und im Buchhandel erschienen ist.

Oliver Weiss hieß vor zwei Jahren der Gewinner des 10. Meefisch-Wettbewerbs der Stadt Marktheidenfeld. Aus 103 Einsendungen wählte die Jury damals den Beitrag des Illustrators aus Berlin als bestes Projekt aus. Pünktlich zur aktuellen Meefisch-Ausstellung ist sein Bilderbuchprojekt „Die Öblings kommen!“ nun als gedrucktes Buch erschienen, teilt die Stadt mit. Es geht darin um die hektischen Vorbereitungen für den Besuch bei einer putzigen Schweine-Familie.

„Wir freuen uns sehr, dass das Buch ab sofort auch unsere Auswahl der Meefisch-Gewinnerbücher im Franck-Haus bereichert“, unterstreicht Meefisch-Organisatorin Inge Albert vom städtischen Kulturamt. Zudem ist das Buch – zusammen mit den bisherigen Gewinnerbüchern – im Obergeschoss des Rathauses zu sehen.

Oliver Weiss ist in der Szene kein Unbekannter: Der aus München stammende Illustrator gestaltete unter anderem die Umschlagseite des Bestsellers „Wer bin ich, und wenn ja, wie viele“ von Richard David Precht. „Der ‚Meefisch‘ war für mich der Startschuss, meinen langgehegten Traum, Kinderbücher zu machen, endlich Wirklichkeit werden zu lassen“, lobt Oliver Weiss den Marktheidenfelder Wettbewerb.

I did whole bunch of vignette-style illustrations for the newly released book “Mich selbst nicht gesucht und dabei gefunden—Eine Geschichte über 13 Umwege zum Glück” (“Finding Myself Without Looking: A Story of 13 Detours to Happiness”) by Alva Sokopp.

Published by GRÄFE & UNZER (HARPERCOLLINS), Germany’s leading self-help imprint, follows Raphael, whose seemingly stable life unravels when both his wife and business partner leave him. A mysterious notebook sends him on an unexpected journey through thirteen encounters, each guiding him closer to self-awareness and a renewed sense of purpose.

The author, a Vienna-based coach and therapist, blends her professional insight with storytelling to explore transformation, healing, and the search for happiness.

My series of two-color illustrations capture the emotional depth and transformative essence of Raphael’s journey from crisis to self-discovery.

13 TELEFONNUMMERN

My first U.S. picture book, The ABC Zoo: Beastly Facts From A to Z has just been published by PRINCETON ARCHITECTURAL PRESS / CHRONICLE BOOKS. I wanted to create a book that feels unique and surprising while also opening the door to learning. Each page features collage-style artwork combined with hand-drawn illustrations, alongside short texts with fascinating animal facts.

→ Buy at Barnes & Noble | → Buy on Amazon

A IS FOR ANACONDA, Z IS FOR ZEBRA

Did you know a squid can glow in the dark? That giraffes have tongues as long as your arm? That racing an ostrich would be like racing a train? These are just some of the discoveries readers will find as they make their way from A to Z.

Creating The ABC Zoo was an adventure in itself—tearing paper, layering inks, mixing textures, and trying to capture the wonder of the creatures that fill our zoos, jungles, oceans, and skies. My hope is that children (and the grown-ups reading with them) will learn something new, laugh on occasion, and possibly even look at animals with fresh eyes. Enjoy! >MORE

Buonvento ti porta a scuola (Taking the School by Storm) by bestselling author Paola Mastrocola is a lyrical picture book brought to life with playful collage art. It tells the story of what happens when dreams take flight and curiosity leads the way.

In a quiet and unchanging land, a traveling school rolls in, inviting young animals to join. Most are eager, but a few—led by the headstrong little mule Mullo—hesitate, held back by doubt and misunderstanding. Guided by Buonvento, the wind, they come to see that school isn’t about dull routines, but about wonder, creativity, and growth.

A gentle, imaginative story about courage, discovery, and the joy of learning—published by DEAGOSTINI / MONDADORI, Italy’s leading publisher.

→ Buy at ibs.it
→ Buy at mondadoristore.it
→ Buy on Amazon.it

IL NUOVO LIBRO ILLUSTRATO DI PAOLA MASTROCOLA

Nel Paese di Tran Tran tutto è sempre uguale: ognuno fa quello che ha sempre fatto, senza sorprese né domande. Ma un giorno arriva Scuola, una voce gentile, una promessa nuova: “Bambini, venite! Da me imparerete tante cose”!

Eppure non tutti si fidano. La signora Malalingua semina paura: la scuola toglie il gioco, fa crescere la gobba, impone fatica! Per fortuna c’è Buonvento che con un dolce soffio accompagna sui banchi anche i piccini più testardi…

Dalla penna di una grande autrice, con immagini ricche di fantasia, questa favola illustrata ci farà scoprire quanto la scuola sia molto più di un luogo: può rivelarsi un viaggio, un vento buono che porta lontano, regalando mondi e sogni.

Paola Mastrocola è un’autrice italiana di grande successo, nota per la vivacità del suo stile narrativo e la profondità del suo sguardo. Il suo romanzo d’esordio La gallina volante ha vinto il Premio Rapallo Carige nel 2001, mentre il suo acclamato Una barca nel bosco si è aggiudicato il prestigioso Premio Campiello nel 2004.

It’s always a thrill to see my latest book turn up in bookstores—thanks to all the friends who keep sending me snapshots from around the country! Published by RIVA, In vollen Zügen (Full Steam Ahead) takes a humorous dive into the strange, familiar, and wonderfully odd characters you meet on train journeys.

From the headphone-free oversharer to the aisle-blocking wanderer, this illustrated satire gently pokes fun at the many behaviors we’ve all encountered—or perhaps even displayed ourselves. Thanks for sharing your finds—and keep them coming!

→ Buy on Amazon | → Buy at Thalia

Released today, my book In vollen Zügen: Menschen, denen man ohne Aufpreis auf jeder Bahnreise begegnet. Eine Typologie (Full Steam Ahead: A Typology of Train Travelers) takes readers on a humorous ride through the quirks, frustrations, and absurdities of rail travel (RIVA/MÜNCHNER VERLAGS-GRUPPE).

The release was accompanied by two interviews on MDR radio, where the book was discussed.

→ Buy on Amazon | → Buy at Thalia

SATIRE & CARTOONS

From grumpy complainers to overenthusiastic small talkers, this satire dissects the many personalities one inevitably encounters on every trip. With sharp wit and playful illustrations, it paints a vivid picture of life on the rails—where personal space is a luxury, delays are inevitable, and social norms are often left at the station.

The added cartoons help bring the wonderous world of travel to life. >MORE

AT THE MERCY OF FATE

Veteran train travelers are all too familiar with the trials of the rails: packed carriages where broken air conditioning turns car 7 into a sauna, relentless delays eroding patience like rust on the tracks, missed connections that make rerouting a lost cause, out-of-order toilets spreading their unmistakable scent through the corridors, and empty onboard bistros leaving hungry passengers stranded.

These are just a few of the frustrations that test even the most seasoned traveler’s endurance.

A must-read for commuters, travel lovers, and anyone who’s ever questioned their seatmate’s life choices.