Juhani Püttsepp (1964) was born to a family of doctors in Tartu. He graduated from a special physics- and mathematics focus class at Tartu Middle School Nr. 1, acquired a degree in biology from the University of Tartu, and worked as a plant expert at the Institute of Zoology and Botany as well as at the University of Tartu. Püttsepp has directed the Tartu Children’s Theatre and edited newspapers Maaülikool and Roheline Värav and magazines Eesti Loodus and Loodusesõber. He has also been a journalist for Estonian newspapers Postimees and Eesti Ekspress. Additionally, he has made documentary films and composed summary books (such as Tartu Ülikool 375). Püttsepp has been Director of the Estonian University of Life Sciences’ School of Natural Sciences since 2004. He has five children.

Püttsepp has written works of popular-science and storybooks for children of many ages, although a number of his works can be classified as “books for the whole family” in the very best sense (Madonna the Board, Rooms Full of Dolls’ Stories, 49 Years Old, The Man Who Touched a Moose, etc.). His most treasured topics include nature, human attitudes towards the environment, the endurance of (local) culture, and the progression of generations. The author’s unique style weaves reality with fairy tale, and he always treats his characters with empathy.