The 25 “Most Beautiful German Books” are exemplary in their design, concept, and craftsmanship. The selection also includes quieter, solidly crafted reading books. The award-winning books set standards and highlight important trends and movements in German book production. In each of the five categories—“General Literature,” “Scholarly Books/Specialized Books/School and Textbooks,” “Guidebooks, Nonfiction,” “Art Books, Photo Books, Exhibition Catalogs,” and “Children’s Books, Young Adult Books,” there are five award winners.

Since 1966, the Stiftung Buchkunst, based in Frankfurt am Main and Leipzig, has been critically monitoring German book production. Its goal is to promote the quality of books from both a technical and artistic perspective. The foundation’s primary mission is the “Most Beautiful German Books” competition. Through its competitions, the Stiftung Buchkunst seeks to draw the public’s attention beyond content to excellence in book design and production, thereby helping to bring greater attention to the medium of the book and its form. Books from German publishers are eligible for entry, as are books from foreign publishers, provided that the technical production took place exclusively in Germany.