In total twelve books were written between 1963 and 1997, which have appeared in 44 languages (2014),[1] in most cases with the original Swedish illustrations by Björn Berg.

Emil Svensson lives on the farm Katthult ("Catholt" or "Catwood"), set in the village of Lönneberga in Småland around the year 1900,[2] with his younger sister Ida, mother Alma and father Anton, the farmhand Alfred who shows great affection towards Emil and the farm maid Lina who, however, is unable to tolerate Emil's pieces of mischief (hyss).

Sometimes old Krösa-Maja ("Lingonberry-Maia") comes to Katthult to help with domestic work and tell Emil and Ida stories about "mylingar", ghosts, murders and similar nasties and superstition.

Emil is very resourceful, handy with all types of farm animals, and notably his various acts and pranks are always either based in innocence or his good heart.

In Iceland, the books are known as Emil í Kattholti and have gained considerable success.