Oded Burla facts for kids

Oded Yehuda Burla (Hebrew: עודד בורלא) was a famous Israeli writer, poet, and artist. He was born on June 23, 1915, and passed away on July 26, 2009. Many people see him as one of the most important people who started children's literature in the Hebrew language.

Early Life

Oded Burla was born in Jerusalem in 1915. His family was Sephardic Jewish. His father, Yehuda Burla, was also a well-known writer. Oded's younger brother, Yair, became a writer and translator too.

Oded moved around a lot when he was young. He lived in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Zikhron Ya'akov. When he was 13, he went to a school at Kibbutz Beit Alfa. Later, he attended Mikveh Israel, an agricultural school.

His Work and Art

From 1949 to 1955, Oded Burla lived in the USA. There, he taught in Hebrew schools. He also worked at a radio station called "Kol America." During this time, he began his journey as an artist.

When he returned to Israel, he studied at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. He focused on graphics, which is a type of visual art.

Writing for Children

Oded Burla wrote and illustrated 70 books! His first book was called Letters to Liora. It was a collection of letters he wrote to his niece while he was in the USA.

Burla's books are special because they mix the simple, innocent way children think with their cleverness. They are full of humor and fun words. Most of his characters are animals that get into funny and exciting adventures.

He paid close attention to small details in his stories. He also showed a deep love for nature in his writing. Because of his unique style, Oded Burla is known as a founder of children's literature in Hebrew culture. His last book was published in 1996.

Art and Music

Oded Burla never stopped drawing. His amazing pictures were shown in many art exhibitions all over the world. He also created music for some children's songs.

Awards

In 2008, Oded Burla received the important Bialik Prize for literature. He shared this award with two other writers, Yeshayahu Koren and Israel Eliraz.

Later Years

Oded Burla passed away on July 26, 2009. He was 94 years old. He had been battling skin cancer for a long time. Just before he died, his first book, Letters to Liora, was printed again. For many years, it had been a rare book that collectors wanted.