Ivan Sergeevich Sokolov-Mikitov was a Russian/Soviet writer and journalist who took part in numerous journeys and expeditions. Sokolov-Mikitov, best known for his engaging traveller's sketches, was also regarded as a fine nature-observing stylist, in the line of Konstantin Paustovsky and Mikhail Prishvin. Following the tradition of Russian realism, but still influenced by 1900s modernist authors, Sokolov-Mikitov developed his individual style of writing, incorporating elements of traditional Russian folk tales, bylinas and fables. Autobiographical novel Childhood (1931) is regarded as one of his finest.