Acclaimed Israeli Author and Poet Yehuda Atlas Dies at 89

Acclaimed Israeli author, poet, and translator Yehuda Atlas passed away on Thursday at the age of 89. Atlas, best known for his beloved children's book "And This Child Is Me," which was published in 1977 and became a classic, died at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv. His family eulogized him, stating, "Yuda was an eternal child until his last moments. In his life, he acted and worked for people out of emotion and a desire to help. He was an editor, a children's author, and a translator, and in his later years, he wrote about at-risk children out of a sense of mission. May his memory be blessed."

Atlas's "And This Child Is Me" captured the everyday moments, fears, angers, and relationships of children with adults from their own perspective. The book spawned a series of sequels, solidifying Atlas's place in Israeli children's literature. In addition to his extensive work for children, Atlas also engaged in editing and translation throughout his career.