Ann Mari and me in Sweden

The wonderful Per Arne helped me to discover Ann Mari Sjogren living quietly in Helsingborg Sweden in 2002. Considering her first book which was such a great success round the world ‘A Day in fairyland ‘was published in 1947 we really thought that sadly Ann Mari had passed on , but it was observation of Per Arne and some fine detective work that uncovered one of the most successful artists and illustrators of children’s books living quietly as a widow of some twenty years . I grew up on Ann Maris book, so you can imagine the thrill not only to go and meet her but she was to take me under her wing and help me with my own art. We grew very close together writing letters to each other and I paid three visits to Sweden to be with her, all this possible with Per Arne and his lovely family. Though Ann Mari finally passed away last year at the grand age of 92, it was not before we had exchanged our love for each other, I miss her kindness but her legacy and what she has taught me will live with me forever and will always be my very own fairytale of meeting and sharing time with the illustrator who influenced my childhood.