Funke, Cornelia, << FOON kah, kawr NEHL ee ah >> (1958-…), is a German author who became famous for her fantasy novels for young readers. She also illustrates most of her books.
Funke’s best-known works are the three related novels Inkheart (2003), Inkspell (2005), and Inkdeath (2008). The three books center on a bookbinder named Mo and his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie. Mo has the gift of reading aloud so beautifully that he can bring a story’s characters into his world. Much of the three books concerns the conflict between the evil Capricorn on one side and Mo, Meggie, and a stranger named Dustfinger on the other.
Funke first gained international fame with The Thief Lord (2000). This book follows the adventures of two children who run away from their home in Hamburg, Germany, to Venice, Italy. Funke also has written the comedic “Ghosthunter” series. The series began with Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost (published in German in 2001 and translated into English in 2006). She created the “Mirrorworld” series, beginning with Reckless (2010) and Fearless (2013). Funke’s other children’s books include Dragon Rider (published in German in 1997 and translated into English in 2004), The Princess Knight (2001), When Santa Fell to Earth (published in German in 2001 and translated into English in 2006), Emma and the Blue Genie (published in German in 2002 and translated into English in 2014), The Wildest Brother (2004), Princess Pigsty (2007), and Ghost Knight (2012).
Cornelia Caroline Funke was born on Dec. 10, 1958, in Dorsten, West Germany (now part of Germany). She earned a degree in education theory from the University of Hamburg. She studied book illustration at the Hamburg State College of Design. Her first children’s book was published in 1993. In 2005, Funke moved to the United States.
