Maia Melts (1976) graduated from the Tallinn Pedagogical College in English philology and from the Estonian School of Diplomacy in international relations. In addition to translating children’s books, she has worked as a translator for the Russian-language edition of the Estonian children’s magazine Täheke since 2013.

It’s amazing how childhood memories draw the Russian audience to Estonia’s stand at book fairs in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Many visitors tell me they still love Eno Raud’s Raggie and Three Jolly Fellows to this day. By translating the best contemporary Estonian children’s literature into Russian, I’m working to ensure their love for Estonian children’s books is enduring.