Emil Erich Kästner was a German writer and poet. He started school in Dresden, but later went on to study philosophy at the University of Leipzig. At the end of his studies there, he received a doctorate in literature. He then became a journalist and a writer.In 1927, he left Leipzig. He moved to Berlin where he spent his most successful years. There he published his first and best-known children＇s book, Emil and the Detectives. It sold millions of copies and has been translated into 59 languages.The novel was so popular because it was unusual. In contrast to most children＇s literature of the period, it is set in contemporary Berlin and not in a fairy-tale world. The story of Emil and his friends has been made into a movie a number of times and was also adapted for the theatre.As for stories about girls, he wrote Lottie and Lisa after World War II. The story of the separated twin sisters, who accidentally meet at a summer camp, became an instant success and has also been turned into films. Kästner＇s books were illustrated by Walter Trier, a famous artist, who also introduced a new style for the pictures. His drawings added a modern touch to Kästner＇s novels. It is therefore not surprising that the books they produced are still enormously popular. Kästner wrote his last story in 1969.Emil Erich Kästner wrote his last story in 1979.