Story of the Root Children

Sibylle von Olfers (1881–1916) was a German children's author and illustrator. Well-known for her blend of natural observation and simple design in the art nouveau style, her work has been likened to Kate Greenaway and Elsa Beskow. Encouraged by her aunt, writer and painter Marie von Olfers, Sibylle studied at art college in Berlin. At aged 25 she took the name Sister Maria Aloysia and published her first picture book, The Story of the Root Children. She created six more picture books in the following decade before her untimely death. Her legacy is a collection of beloved children’s books including The Story of the Snow Children and The Story of the Wind Children.

'A celebration of the wonders that spring and summer offer each year.'-- New York Botanical Garden'Nothing could date this stunningly illustrated century-old book telling the story of the seasons ... Children are enchanted by images like the root children painting a line of ladybirds with pots of red and black paint. Sibylle von Olfers' careful drawings depict Nature scenes halfway between imagination and reality.'-- Juno Magazine, Top Ten Children's Books