Katja Brandis, born in Germany, majored in American Studies and went on to work as a journalist, traveling all over the world to report for magazines. She loves nature and is active in conservation. The idea for her Woodwalkers series was born in Yellowstone National Park. She began writing fiction as a child and has published more than 50 novels for young readers. Her home is near Munich, where she lives with her husband, their son, and three cats.