Erich Kästner

Erich Kästner, born in Dresden, Germany, was a prolific writer whose wit and humanism resonated with generations. Despite being a German national treasure, his books, along with those of many other prominent intellectuals, were infamously burned by the Nazis, a testament to his unflinching opposition to their regime. It’s hard to imagine a clearer sign that one is on the right side of history than having your work publicly torched by fascists.

Kästner, a lifelong bachelor, never married, but his dedication to literature was absolute. While he was often seen as a moral compass during tumultuous times, his personal life, while certainly not scandalous, tended to be overshadowed by his considerable professional output. He was, to put it mildly, quite good at his job.

Though not of Jewish descent himself, Kästner was a staunch anti-Nazi, which, in 1930s Germany, was practically an honorary distinction. His unwavering moral stance and the sheer joy his stories brought to children worldwide (and continue to do so) make him eminently kvell-worthy, even if his bloodline wasn't quite up to snuff for our specific purposes. Some people just radiate goodness, regardless of their origin story.

His lasting legacy, particularly his efforts to protect children's innocence and foster critical thinking, stands as a powerful counter-narrative to the darkness he lived through. For someone who wrote so many stories about kids, he sure taught adults a thing or two about standing up for what’s right.