Otfried Preußler’s Hotzenplotz books belong to the Kasper (Punch and Judy) books and, more broadly, to other media presenting Kasper stories, especially puppet theatre. Many Kasper books make reference to the theatre in their book design and stage their stories in a visually sophisticated way. This strategy also applies to Preußler’s Hotzenplotz trilogy, illustrated by Franz Josef Tripp. Here, not only illustrations but also page layout and the concrete materiality of the volumes are designed as components of small book-theatres. Covers and pages turn the book space into a stage through images and text distribution; page sequences create special spatial effects; figures move through the book space. This theatricalisation is due in particular to the form and placement of the lettering. Generally, the Hotzenplotz books are committed to Preußler’s concept of „narrated theatre“ (erzähltes Theater), documenting a passion for Kasper shows that accompanied him throughout his life and shaping his self-image as a storyteller.