José María Sánchez-Silva was a Spanish writer born in Madrid on November 11, 1911, who died in the same city on January 13, 2002. He is a significant figure in children's literature, recognized for receiving the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1968 for his contribution to the field, an honor that distinguishes him as a creator of international importance. His early life was marked by instability, leading to a childhood spent in orphanages and charitable institutions, an experience that informed much of his later writing.

Sánchez-Silva began his career as a journalist, working for publications such as the newspaper Arriba, and published his first book, El hombre de la bufanda, in 1934. His fame, however, came with the 1953 novel Marcelino pan y vino (Marcelino Bread and Wine). The story was adapted into a highly successful film in 1955, known in English as Miracle of Marcelino, and later served as the basis for an anime adaptation, further cementing his status as a creator whose works have been interpreted across different media.

His connection to anime and manga is most directly exemplified by the series Kujira no Josephina (Josephina the Whale), a 1979 anime adaptation based on his 1962 work Adiós, Josefina!. This adaptation places him among European literary figures whose narratives were adapted by Japanese animation studios during a period when such cross-cultural productions were a notable part of the industry. Beyond this, his literary work often focused on themes of childhood, faith, and resilience, reflecting his own early life experiences. His significance in the industry lies in his standing as a celebrated children's author whose stories achieved wide international circulation through both literature and film adaptations.