The Story of Little Billy Bluesocks

Sibylle von Olfers (1881–1916) was born Maria Regina Angela Hedwig Sibylla von Olfers in the Castle of Metgethen (Schloss Metgethen), near Königsberg. She grew up in a sheltered childhood and enjoyed, together with her brothers and sisters, education and teaching through governesses and private tutors. Sebylle became a German art teacher and nun and worked as an author and illustrator of children’s books. In 1906 she published her most well-known work, Etwas von den Wurzelkindern, translated into English as The Root Children. She used a blend of natural observation and simple design, which has led to comparisons with Kate Greenaway and Elsa Beskow.