Israeli News Anchor Danny Kushmaro Mourns Death of Beloved Children's Author Yehuda Atlas

Israeli news anchor Danny Kushmaro paid tribute to acclaimed author and poet Yehuda Atlas, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 89. Kushmaro shared an illustration on his Instagram Stories depicting a child leaning against an open window, with Atlas's name and birth and death years (1937-2026) displayed. Kushmaro's simple caption read, "Thank you Yehuda," accompanied by folded hands emojis. This farewell resonated with Atlas's most famous work, "And This Child Is Me," a collection of short poems from a child's perspective published in 1977, which became a staple in Israeli households and won the Ze'ev Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature.

Atlas's passing has prompted numerous tributes from figures in Israeli media and culture. Journalist Adva Dedon shared that she had been in contact with Atlas until recently, having corresponded and planned a meeting just weeks prior. Singer Aviv Geffen also posted a farewell message, expressing gratitude "on behalf of all the children" and sharing a picture of one of Atlas's well-known books.

Throughout his career, Atlas was involved in writing, editing, translation, and research in the field of children's literature. In his later years, he dedicated part of his writing to at-risk children and teenagers, publishing works such as "Nobody's Children," which addressed vulnerable youth, and "I Want to Talk to You!," which focused on child bullying. Atlas authored several other popular children's books, including "This Child Is Me Too," "But Only I Don't," "I Suddenly Want," and "The Girl I Love."