Renowned Israeli Children's Author Yehuda Atlas Laid to Rest

Acclaimed Israeli author and poet Yehuda Atlas, celebrated for his contributions to children's literature, was buried on Sunday. Atlas, best known for his seminal work "And This Child Is Me," passed away at the age of 89 at Ichilov Medical Center.

His career spanned decades, during which he published approximately 40 books for both children and adults, edited newspaper supplements, and translated numerous works that became integral to the Israeli childhood experience. Atlas was recognized with the Prime Minister's Prize for Hebrew Writers and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Children's Literature.

During the funeral, his son, Noam Atlas, delivered a poignant eulogy, stating, "You were a diligent, incredibly devoted man of work, and no one could articulate things as purely as you. You saw it as a mission to bring children's voices to the forefront. You always continued to express artistically and faithfully the less easy moments in a child's life."

Atlas first gained widespread recognition in 1977 with the publication of "And This Child Is Me," a collection of short children's poems offering a child's perspective on the world. Beyond his prolific writing, he was also a respected journalist, serving as deputy editor of the "7 Days" supplement for "Yedioth Ahronoth" and managing a unique section dedicated to the study and promotion of Hebrew children's literature for many years.

Family members noted that until his final moments, Atlas remained a "perpetual child," driven by deep emotion, a desire to help the vulnerable, and a commitment to addressing complex issues such as at-risk children.