Irmelin Sandman Lilius was the daughter of Bruno Sandman, an engineer, and the children’s books author Rut Forsblom. In 1957 she married to the artist and author Carl-Gustaf Lilius (1928-1998). She is the mother of Suzanne (Muddle) Lilius.
Irmelin Sandman Lilius made her debut in 1955 with the poetry collection Trollsång and has established herself as one of the leading children’s books authors and illustrators in Scandinavia. She has developed her own imaginary universe, built around the town of Tulavall. In later years her works have become increasingly autobiographical. In 1996 she published together with her sister, the writer Heddi Böckman, the childhood accounts Hand i hand. Her works include more than forty books, such as Bonadea, 1967, Gullkrona gränd (1969; Eng. tr. Gold Crown Lane), Gripanderska gården (1970; Eng. tr. The Goldmaker’s House), Gångande Grå (1971; Eng. tr. Horses of the Night), Mattan från Kars, 1989, and Korpfolksungen, 1994.
Irmelin Sandman Lilius’s books have been translated into several languages, and she has won prizes both in Finland as well as internationally. She has twice been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize.
Additions by the editorial team 2011:
The above biography was first published in 1998. Since then, Irmelin Sandman Lilius has written several works, including children’s books and a biography about her husband, Sjutusen år, 2003.
She has received several prizes.
