Juliana Horatia Ewing (nèe Gatty) was born on August 3rd, 1841. She inherited her storytelling skills from her mother, Margaret, also a well-known children’s author. Margaret recognised Julie’s literary genius very early on and gave her daughter every possible encouragement, enabling the publication of her first story in Charlotte Yonge’s literary magazine Monthly Packet in July 1861 when Julie was still just a teenager. In her lifetime, she was a literary superstar almost the equal of Charles Dickens, and her books were read throughout the English-speaking world well into the twentieth century. She was idolised by many in Victorian and Edwardian society. John Ruskin, Henry James, Arnold Bennet and Rudyard Kipling all admired her work.

Mrs. Ewing's particular skill is in capturing a reader’s attention with her highly figurative narration, creating vivid and realistic scenes and events that even her younger readers will have no difficulty imagining. Like Dickens, Bennett and Kipling, her writing and storytelling were (and still are) just as relevant and enjoyable for adults as they are for children. This is because Mrs. Ewing’s writing is so very, very good, and ranks with the greatest children’s authors. Her stories invoke a wide spectrum of emotion, but whatever the outcome, the listener will feel uplifted for having identified fully with her utterly credible characters. They all play their part in letting us know exactly how their creator thought. That above all she valued family life, and that respect, duty, faith and loyalty should be the norm for everyone irrespective of background.