Selina Chönz

Selina Chönz (*4 August 1910 in Samedan; †17 February 2000 in Samedan) was a Swiss writer and teacher, known for her children's books.

Chönz grew up in a multilingual family in the Engadine, which shaped her love of the Romansh language and culture. She studied in Zurich and Florence and then returned to the Engadine, where she worked as a teacher.

Her most famous work is the children's book "Schellen-Ursli" (1945), created in collaboration with illustrator Alois Carigiet . The book tells the story of a boy from the Engadine valley who participates in a traditional spring festival. "Schellen-Ursli" quickly became popular and is now considered a classic of Swiss children's literature.

Chönz's works are characterized by a deep connection with the nature and culture of the Engadine. In addition to "Schellen-Ursli," she wrote other books, including "Der große Schnee" (The Big Snow) and "Flurina and the Wild Bird," which were also illustrated by Carigiet.

Selina Chönz's literary work has made an important contribution to the preservation and popularization of the Romansh language. Her work remains an integral part of Swiss literary history and continues to be popular with young and old alike.