This engaging work offers new insights into Astrid Lindgren"s writing career. Born in 1907, Lindgren grew up in a small town but left home for Stockholm at eighteen. She made her debut as an author at thirty-seven. Pippi Longstocking followed a year later. In addition to her amazing productivity -- more than forty books -- Lindgren also worked as editor in-chief of Sweden"s largest children"s book publisher, her own publisher, until 1970. Vivi Edstrom discusses the themes most important to Lindgren"s writing, including her use of fantasy and the influence of classical fairy tales on her work, as well as her creation of fictional realms where children live beyond the control of adults.