Angela Sommer-Bodenburg was born in Reinbek near Hamburg, Germany. She graduated from the University of Hamburg in 1972 where she studied education, psychology, and sociology. She became a teacher of first through fourth graders at a school in Hamburg where she had been teaching for twelve years (1972-1984).

Since 1984, she has been a freelance writer and painter. To date, more than 40 books have been published which include poetry; picture books; novels; and the 20 volume book series "The Little Vampire."

In 1992, Angela Sommer-Bodenburg moved to the United States. She now lives and works in Silver City, New Mexico, with Burghardt Bodenburg, her husband and business manager, and their two Hungarian sheepdogs.