Jostein Gaarder is the author of several novels, short stories, and children’s books. His best-known work, Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy, has been translated into 60 languages. Gaarder studied Scandinavian languages and theology at the University of Oslo and graduated in 1976. His other works include children’s books and adults novels, such as The Solitaire Mystery, Through a Glass, Darkly, Vita Brevis, and The Ringmaster’s Daughter. Gaarder’s early work also includes the children’s books Barna fra Sukhavati (“The Children from Sukhavati”) published in 1987 and Froskeslottet (The Frog Castle) published in 1988. He lives in Oslo with his family.