Johanna Thydell was born in 1980 and lives in Stockholm. She made her debut in 2003 with the young adult novel In the Ceiling the Stars Are Shining, for which she was awarded both the August Prize as well as the Slangbellan Debutant Prize. The book was also made into a movie. Since then, she has written several young adult novels and several beloved picture books. She has also worked as a journalist, columnist, editor and translator.