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Where are you from originally? Where do you live now?
I was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, and lived in and around Scandanavia and America while growing up and did my Masters degree in England. But for now I live in Sweden with my little family.

What did you do before you began writing and illustrating children’s books?
After University, I worked at a newspaper in a small ski town, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I was the head designer and illustrator. It is one of the most beautiful places! I went on to work in publishing after that, interning first at Candlewick Press in Boston, then freelancing at Henry Holt & Co. Eventually, I took a full time position in the art department at Harper Collins Children’s Department. After some time there, I jumped seas to do a masters degree at Cambridge School of Art in England. It was there, at our graduation show in London where I was approached by many publishers and eventually went with, Walker Books UK (which is the sister company of Candlewick Press in the USA). It all seemed to come full circle, from interning there to having books published with them. It was a long road and every step taught me so much! And gosh, I’m still learning!

What is your favorite aspect of creating books for children?
I’d have to say my favorite part of creating children’s books is getting lost in the stories. I love creating my own worlds, worlds that didn’t exist until I put my pencil to paper. It’s magic, and I think all children’s books should be magic! And of course, my absolute favorite is when I get letters from people who have read my books. They tell me how the stories have touched them or their children and each time I cry.

How do you come up with your story lines? What is your process?
That’s a hard question, which I think is never really the same. But often, it’s about some sort of emotion I’m feeling or even something I felt as a child. Frances Dean is a shy soul in front of others, but loves what she does. In so many ways, that is me. And I think if we all listened a bit closer, we’d all realise we have little birds singing and encouraging us to go on and listen to our own hearts.

What do you hope families, children especially, take away from your books?
Being who we are, not who others think we should be.  What matters most is that whatever you like to do, you don’t have to be afraid to show anyone else, you just have to do it with all your heart and if you’re lucky you might inspire a few others to do the same!

If you were not a children’s book author, what would you do professionally?
For a long time I thought I wanted to be a doctor or physical therapist. I worked many summers in a physical therapy unit in Iceland and loved it. But I think deep down I’ve always known I’ve wanted to do something where I could draw. And I followed that dream. I always thought it would be better to fail at something that I loved, rather than fail at something I only loved so-so.

When you’re not writing and illustrating books, what can you be found doing?
I’m a mom to two little amazing girls, Sóley, 3 and Salka,1. I love taking them on adventures. And I hope to install in them the sense of wonder and that they can always see the world full of magic!