Astrid Lindgren, the creator of Pippi Longstocking, Emil, and dozens of other world-famous characters, has delighted three generations of children with her storytelling prowess. Lindgren's children's books have sold over 144 million copies worldwide. Astrid Lindren (1907-2002) is the only children's author with a literary prize, a theme park, a museum, a satellite, and a minor planet named in her honor. (After this last honor, she suggested changing her name to "Asteroid Lindgren.") A jury appointed by Swedish Radio's Culture Department to elect the "Author of the Millennium" voted Astrid Lindgren second after William Shakespeare. She was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her contribution to international children's literature.