Gerda Marie Scheidl (1913-2005) was born in Bremerhaven-Geestemünde in the north of Germany. Scheidl studied dance at the Hellerau-Laxenburg School on the outskirts of Vienna, then trained as an actor and became a member of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven. Afterward she had a three-year stint with the Dortmund opera before returning to her studies, reading philosophy and art history. Scheidl wrote both books and plays for children. Later she also worked for radio and television and was in charge of a private children’s theater.