Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) was born on a homestead in Småland, Sweden. Her most famous book, Pippi Longstocking, was published in 1945 to great success. She is also well known for Karlsson on the Roof, her books about The Bullerby Children and The Tomten. Her books are loved all over the world and have sold around 145 million copies. She won many awards, including the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Pippi Longstocking in 1973; the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1958; and the International Book Award from UNESCO in 1993.

'Harold Wiberg's soft illustrations are superb, he is excellent at snowy moonlitscenes and animals. This story makes for a calm and reassuring bedtime read with a lovely message that summer will come again and that whilst you sleep someone is looking out for you.'-- Kaleidoscope Magazine'Astrid Lindgren writes evocatively of long cold winters and the benevolent guardianship of the Tomten. A lovely, feelgood picture book with traditionally styled illustrations that show the Tomten as a genial gnome-like figure. Delightful! Families Rating: 5 out of 6'-- Families South West magazine'It would be hard to find a nicer bedtime story. Beautifully painted, quiet moonlit scenes and poetic words tell of the Tomten, a small elf-like person who lives on a farm. It is a beautiful cosy tale of winter bedtimes, very comforting and definitely one of our favourites.'-- Hilary Woolf with Isaac (age 4), Education Otherwise, October 2004