The Little Donkey

Gerda Marie Scheidl was born in 1913 in Bremerhaven-Geestemünde in the north of Germany. Gerda Maria Scheidl studied dance at the Hellerau-Laxenburg School on the outskirts of Vienna, then trained as an actor and became a member of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven. Afterward she had a three-year stint with the Dortmund opera before returning to her studies, reading philosophy and art history. Gerda Maria Scheidl wrote both children’s books and plays for children. Later on she also worked for radio and television as well as being in charge of a private children’s theater. She died in 2005.

Bernadette Watts, known throughout Europe simply as Bernadette, has illustrated many dozens of folk- and fairy tales. Born in England, she loved to draw from childhood. She studied at the Maidstone Art School in Kent, UK, and for some time was taught by Brian Wildsmith and David Hockney. Bernadette’s many beautiful books include The Snow Queen and The Little Drummer Boy. Bernadette finds her inspiration in nature. Today she lives and works in Kent. She has been illustrating for NorthSouth Books and NordSüd Verlag since the beginning of her career fifty years ago.