Publishing and editorial policies of translated children's books from the viewpoint of the east German censorship files

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With foreign books being included in the canon of children's literature that was officially prescribed by the East German regime, translation was firmly integrated into the literary system. However, all literature, no matter whether children's, adults’, indigenous or translated, was monitored and guided. Publishers were required to apply for a print permit for every individual text planned for publication. Now, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, these applications have become available to the researcher and reveal a fascinating picture of the processes, strategies and conditions around translation and production of children's books. In order to provide a well-rounded picture of the socio-political context of translation in East Germany, this paper discusses areas such as economy, ideology and publishing policies in the children's book sector.