Written by James Jacob Hinrich Krüss, Timm Thaler oder Das verkaufte Lachen (Timm Thaler, or the Traded Laughter) is a wonderful book for children, and grown-ups as well. It`s the story of a boy who, having sold his laughter, eventually gets to understand he should have never done it, and sets off on a long journey to get his laughter back. In the end, and with help from his friends, he succeeds.
When reading this book as a child, I simply enjoyed it. Re-reading it now has made me wonder what kind of a book it would be if written nowadays. The hypothetical modern book would undoubtedly be different. I mean, not the plot but the mood. It would certainly be angry, and most probably ugly, even though perhaps funny at the same time. But the old one, written more than half a century ago, while not all that funny (well, it kinda is, but it sorta is not), is by no means angry. It is not even really sad, even though the things depicted are mostly sad. It is... well... observantly cognitive? Anyway, what does matter is it is kind. But not sentimental. Which makes it wonderful.
I do recommend Timm Thaler! Read it. They no longer make them like that...