Acclaimed Israeli Author and Poet Yehuda Atlas Dies at 89

Yehuda Atlas, a celebrated Israeli author, poet, translator, and journalist, passed away on Thursday at the age of 89. Atlas was best known for his seminal 1977 children's book "And This Child Is Me," which revolutionized the genre with its direct and honest portrayal of a child's perspective. The book, which won the Ze'ev Prize, was later adapted into a successful musical album and spawned several popular sequels.

Atlas's literary philosophy centered on the idea that the inner child remains present throughout life, stating, "Every person in their head is a child. When you say 'I' you mean the child 'I.' Everything I write about children is also true for adults." His work often explored social issues, particularly in his later years. His 2015 book "I Want to Talk to You!" addressed school violence and the importance of dialogue, inspired by a personal experience with his son. This led to his 2021 book "Children of Nobody," focusing on children at risk.

Born in Ein Iron in 1937, Atlas had a diverse career that included serving in the Golani Brigade, working as a kibbutz member, and teaching in agricultural schools. He studied Oriental Studies and Philosophy at Tel Aviv University before entering journalism, editing "Bamahaneh Gadna" and serving as deputy editor of "Yedioth Ahronoth's" "7 Yamim" supplement, where he wrote the popular "Big Kid" column for eight years.

Beyond his original works, Atlas was a prominent scholar of children's literature and translated numerous world masterpieces into Hebrew, earning him the 2011 Translation Achievement Award for his "sensitive and lively" translations. He received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Prime Minister's Prize for Hebrew Writers, the Lifelong Achievement Award for Children's Literature, and the Steimatzky Prize.

Atlas's personal archive has been deposited at the "Gnazim" archive of the Hebrew Writers Association in Tel Aviv. He is survived by his wife and three children.