Johanna Spyri was born on June 12, 1827 in Hirzel, a small village in Switzerland. Her father, Johann Jacob Heusser, was a country doctor. Her mother, Meta, wrote religious poetry and hymns. After living a sheltered childhood, Johanna went to a boarding school in western Switzerland at the age of sixteen. She returned to Hirzel after her graduation and spent her time helping her mother, taking care of her siblings and reading books. Johanna started writing at the age of forty-four. She is the author of more than fifty stories for both adults and children. Johanna’s insight into the mind of a child, coupled with her sense of humor, gives her books a unique appeal. The pages of her books bring to life the joys and sorrows of children.