On June 29, 1900, in Lyons, France, a baby was born. No one knew this baby would become possibly one of the most popular authors in the world. No one knew a single story of his would one day be translated into 160 different languages, and sell more than 80 million copies world-wide. But one thing was for sure: this child had an amazing imagination.

He was born Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, to Jean-Marie and Jean de Saint-Exupéry . Antoine's mother was a talented painter. His father worked as a public health officer in Lyons before his death in 1904. Antoine was the third of five children. His siblings (from oldest to youngest) were Marie-Madeleine, Simone, François, and Gabrielle.

Two years Jean's death, the family moved in with Antoine's maternal grandmother, Madame de Fonscolombe. Paula, his grandmother's devoted housekeeper, was a great storyteller and made a lasting impression on Antoine.

The children had many pets at their grandmother's house, including a tortoise (whom they took for a walk on a leash every day), a cat, and several dogs. These animals kept the children company on lazy summer days.

Of the five siblings, Antoine was the most fearless and out-spoken. He directed all of the children's games and felt no shame in interrupting someone if an idea popped into his head.

These, perhaps, were the qualities that made him such an amazing author.

As a boy, Antoine went to school at Jesuit schools in Montgre and Le Mans. From 1915 to 1917, he attended a Catholic boarding school in Switzerland. Afterwards, Antoined went to a university prepatory school where he failed his final exam. He then entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts to study architecture.