Heljo Mänd

Heljo Mänd was a beloved Estonian author whose rich and diverse body of work influenced generations of readers—especially children. She worked for many years as an editor at the children’s magazines Pioneer and Täheke, and from 1965 onward, she devoted herself fully to writing as a freelance author. She became a member of the Estonian Writers’ Union in 1961.

Over her lifetime, Heljo Mänd published more than 100 children’s books, including poetry, prose, and plays, as well as over 30 works for adults. Her creative output also included radio plays, children's theatre scripts, and TV screenplays, among them the beloved Estonian children’s programs “Mõmmi ja aabits” and “Nõiakivi”. Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages, and she also translated children’s poetry and prose from Russian, English, and German into Estonian.

Her first book, the poetry collection “Oakene” for young children, marked a new artistic standard in Estonian children's literature. Her writing is characterized by childlike wonder, playfulness, vivid imagery, and warm humor. Among her best-known works are “Karu-aabits”, “Toomas Linnupoeg”, and “Väikesed võililled” (“Little Dandelions”), the latter based on her childhood memories. Heljo Mänd remains a cherished figure in Estonian literature—a heartfelt and imaginative author who could touch the soul of a child with both simplicity and depth.