Uri Orlev

Uri Orlev (Hebrew: אורי אורלב) (born February 24, 1931, Warsaw, Poland) is an Israeli children's author and translator. He is particularly known for his autobiographical books and novels that explore themes of childhood survival during the Holocaust and its aftermath.

Orlev was born Yitzhak Leib Orlowski. He survived the Warsaw Ghetto and Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as a child. After the war, he immigrated to Israel in 1945.

He is one of Israel's most acclaimed and prolific children's authors, having written over 30 books. Many of his works have been translated into numerous languages and have won international awards, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1996, the highest international recognition given to authors and illustrators of children's books.

Orlev's writing often deals with difficult and complex subjects, such as loss, trauma, and resilience, but he approaches these themes with sensitivity and a child-centered perspective. His works are praised for their realism, humor, and hopefulness. Notable works include The Island on Bird Street (1981), Run, Boy, Run (2001), and The Lady with the Hat (1990). He has also translated Polish literature into Hebrew.

Orlev resides in Israel and continues to be a significant figure in children's literature.