Carl Ewald was a Danish novelist, playwright, and short-story writer, best remembered for his nature stories for children. Born in Copenhagen, he grew up in a family devoted to literature and theater, and he initially worked as a journalist before turning to fiction. Influenced by the naturalist ideas of the Modern Breakthrough, he brought a fresh approach to the fairy-tale tradition: his animal and plant characters speak and act, yet remain faithful to their real habits, combining imagination with scientific accuracy.
Among his most celebrated works are his nature stories, later gathered in English collections such as The Queen Bee and Other Nature Stories and The Windmill, which recall Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen while offering genuine lessons in ecology. His satirical novels, including Ananias and The Island with the Church, examine hypocrisy, morality, and modern society with irony and warmth. He also wrote plays and essays on contemporary issues.
After his death, the intimate memoir My Little Boy (1915), a tender account of raising his young son, became an international success, translated into many languages and admired for its affectionate, unstuffy view of childhood. Ewald's humor, honesty, and love of nature keep his writing alive today.