Elsa Beskow (née Maartman) (February 11, 1874 – June 30, 1953) was a Swedish author and illustrator of children's books. Beskow is the most well known of all Swedish children's book artists and her books are continually reprinted. Many of her books are classics. Beskow also illustrated ABC books and songbooks for Swedish schools. Elsa married the multi-talent Natanael Beskow in 1893. They had six sons.