Wild Chicks facts for kids
The Wild Chicks (Die wilden Hühner) is a popular series of books for children and young people written by the German author Cornelia Funke. The stories are about four, and later five, girls who are in the same class at school. They form a special group called the "Wild Chicks" gang. Five books were published between 1993 and 2003. These books have sold over one million copies in Germany! Three movies have also been made based on the books.
Contents
Meet the Wild Chicks
The main characters in the series are five girls, each with their own unique personality:
- Sprotte (Charlotte): She is the main storyteller and is known for being brave and friendly.
- Frieda: Sprotte's best friend, Frieda is calm and thoughtful. She cares a lot about helping others.
- Trude: Trude is a bit shy and wears glasses. She is a very kind friend.
- Melanie: Melanie is beautiful and friendly. She loves fashion and looking good.
- Wilma: Wilma is a strong and independent girl who loves to play sports and doesn't always get along with boys at first.
When the first book, Die Wilden Hühner, came out in 1993, the girls were about eight or nine years old. By the last book, Die Wilden Hühner und die Liebe (2003), they were 13 or 14. All the Wild Chicks wear a chicken feather around their necks as a symbol of their gang. They also promise never to harm or eat chickens!
The author, Cornelia Funke, once said that she feels most like Sprotte, but she wishes she had been more like Frieda. She also explained that she wanted to show many different kinds of people and relationships in her books. She believes it's important to be kind and respectful to everyone's feelings.
The Pygmies and Other Friends
Throughout the series, the Wild Chicks often meet a boys' gang called the Pygmies (die Pygmäen):
- Fred: He is the leader of the Pygmies, confident and generally good-natured.
- Torte: Torte is small but very confident.
- Willi: Willi is a tough member of the group.
- Steve: Steve is often seen with his tarot cards.
The Pygmies have their own special sign: they all wear an earring. They have also promised to protect people from bad guys and mean teachers. At first, the Wild Chicks and Pygmies are rivals, playing tricks on each other. But as the books go on, some of them become good friends and even couples! For example, Sprotte and Fred, Melanie and Willi (for a while), and Frieda and Torte.
Other important people in the series include:
- Sybille: Sprotte's mom, who is a taxi driver. She is loving but sometimes a bit messy.
- Thorben Mossmann: Sybille's boyfriend, whom Sprotte doesn't always like.
- Oma Slättberg: Sprotte's grandma, who is very independent and a bit grumpy.
- Frau Rose: The teacher for both the Wild Chicks and the Pygmies.
The End of an Era
In 2009, another German author, Thomas Schmid, wrote a book based on the third Wild Chicks movie, called Die wilden Hühner und das Leben. This book brings the story of the Wild Chicks to a close. During a school trip, both the Wild Chicks and the Pygmies realize they are growing up and changing. They decide to remain friends, but their gang days are coming to an end.
At the end of this story:
- Sprotte finds three younger girls to take over the "Wild Chicks" name.
- Sprotte and Fred stay together as a couple.
- Sprotte's mother becomes pregnant.
- Frieda and Willi become a couple.
- Trude and Steve become a couple.
- Torte's family moves to Denmark.
- Wilma decides she wants to become an actress.
- Melanie chooses to live her own life and follow her dreams.
The Books in the Series
Cornelia Funke wrote five main books about the Wild Chicks. They were first published in German and later in Polish. Funke has also mentioned that the books might be published in English in the future.
- Die Wilden Hühner, 1993
- Die Wilden Hühner auf Klassenfahrt, 1995
- Die Wilden Hühner, Fuchsalarm, 1998
- Die Wilden Hühner und das Glück der Erde, 2000
- Die Wilden Hühner und die Liebe, 2003
In 2008, Thomas Schmid wrote a book based on the third movie:
- Die Wilden Hühner und das Leben, 2008
There is also a fun activity book for fans:
- Die Wilden Hühner. Das Bandenbuch zum Mitmachen, 2001
The Movies
Three movies have been made about the Wild Chicks, all directed by Vivian Naefe:
The first movie, Wild Chicks, was very popular! Over 1.15 million people went to see it in cinemas. It also won an award for "Best Film" at the Leeds film festival. Paula Riemann, who played Melanie, won a German film award for "best comedienne" for her role. The second movie, Wild Chicks in Love, was also a big hit, with about 1 million visitors in Germany. Cornelia Funke, the author, was very happy with how the movies turned out.
Here are the actors who played the main characters in the films:
- Sprotte - Michelle von Treuberg
- Frieda - Lucie Hollmann
- Trude - Zsá Zsá Inci Bürkle
- Melanie - Paula Riemann
- Wilma - Jette Hering
The Pygmies were played by:
- Fred - Jeremy Mockridge
- Torte - Martin Kurz
- Willi - Vincent Redetzki
- Steve - Philip Wiegratz
The adult roles were played by:
- Sybille - Veronica Ferres
- Ms. Rose - Jessica Schwarz
- Herr Grünbaum - Benno Fürmann
- Thorben Mossmann - Oliver Stokowski
- Sprotte's estranged father - Thomas Kretschmann
- Oma Slättberg - Doris Schade
Also, Svea Bein played Wilma's friend, Leonie.
Images for kids
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DVD cover of Wild Chicks in Love ("Die wilden Hühner und die Liebe"). From left to right: Trude (Zsá Zsá Ince Bürkle), Sprotte (Michelle von Treuberg), Frieda (Lucie Hollmann), Wilma (Jette Hering) and Melanie (Paula Riemann).
See also
In Spanish: Las Gallinas Locas para niños
