Wilhelm Busch books in order
German painter, poet and cartoonist
- Lived
- 1832–1908
- Country
- Kingdom of Hanover
- Books
- 5
Wilhelm Busch published 2 novels, 2 novellas and 1 other book, beginning with Krischan Mit Der Piepe (1864). The best-known is Max and Moritz (1865).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Wilhelm Busch
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Max and Moritz
Wilhelm Busch's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Krischan Mit Der Piepe (1864)
The Pious Helene (1872)
Novellas in order
Max and Moritz (1865)
Plish and Plum (1883)
Other books in order
A Bushel of Merrythoughts (1868)
Film and TV adaptations
- Max and Moritz (1956)Film · from Max and Moritz
- Max und Moritz Reloaded (2005)Film · from Max and Moritz
- Die fromme Helene (1965)Film · from The Pious Helene
Free to read
All free classics
About Wilhelm Busch
Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Busch was a German humorist, poet, illustrator, and painter. He published wildly innovative illustrated tales that remain influential to this day.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Wilhelm Busch FAQ
- How many books has Wilhelm Busch written?
- Wilhelm Busch published 2 novels, 2 novellas and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Wilhelm Busch's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Max and Moritz.
- What is Wilhelm Busch's last book?
- Plish and Plum (1883).
- What is Wilhelm Busch's most famous book?
- Max and Moritz (1865) is Wilhelm Busch's most widely read book.
- Which Wilhelm Busch books have been adapted?
- 2 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Max and Moritz (film, 1956) and The Pious Helene (as Die fromme Helene, film, 1965).
- Can I read Wilhelm Busch's books for free?
- Yes. 3 books by Wilhelm Busch are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Wilhelm Busch
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J. R. R. Tolkien
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W. S. Gilbert
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Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.