Christian Duda was born in Austria, with Austrian nationality, and a little later was baptized as a Catholic. At the age of four he was transplanted to Germany and there became an Arab by air mail from Cairo, when he received a passport describing him as an Egyptian and a Muslim, suitably labelled by the name Ahmet Ibrahim el Said Gad Elkarim. Today he is known as Christian Achmed Gad Elkarim, and he is an atheist and a German citizen. He has directed many stage plays, and has written three novels, several dramas, comedies, screenplays, and of course All His Little Ducklings. He writes under the name of Christian Duda. Gad Elkarim and Duda have received a number of prizes and grants. He is a father, and lives in Berlin working as a director and author.

Photo: © Ferinando Iannone

Awards:

• 2007 Lynx for the month of October for All His Little Ducklings
• 2008 Shortlist All His Little Ducklings for the Children's Book Award
• 2008 Shortlist All His Little Ducklings for the German Young People’s Literature Award
• 2008 Shortlist Catholic Children and Young People’s Book Award