Oded Burla

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Oded Yehuda Burla (Hebrew: עודד בורלא‎) is an Israeli writer, poet, and artist. He is considered as one of the founders of children's literature in Hebrew.

[edit] Early years

Oded Burla was born on June 23, 1915 in Jerusalem to a Sephardic Jewish family. At that time, his father Yehuda Burla, was a famous Hebrew language writer. Burla's young brother, Yair Burla (1919-2006), became an outstanding writer and translator. His early years were spent in endless voyages between Jerusalem, Haifa and Zikhron Ya'aqov. Oded Burla learned at a real school in Haifa in which he was the worst student that had ever been there. At the age of 13, Oded Burla persuaded his parents to move him into another school on kibbutz Beit Alfa where he continued his studies in an agricultural school Mikveh Israel near Holon.

[edit] Career

From 1949 to 1955 Oded Burla lived in the USA where he taught in Hebrew schools, worked as an announcer and speechwriter for a radio station "Kol America". In addition, he started his artist career. When he came back to Israel, Oded Burla had been admitted into Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in which he majored in graphics.

His first book, Letters to Liora, was Oded Burla's letters collection addressed to his niece when he was in the USA. He had never stopped drawing and his pictures were presented in many art exihibitions around the world. Oded Burla composed music for some children's songs.

Oded Burla has written and illustrated 70 books. His books combine children's naivity and their sharpness, humor and amusing expressions. Most of his characters are animals put into strange adventurous situations. In his writings, Oded Burla pays attention to every tiny detail and expresses love of nature. As a result, Oded Burla was considered as the founder of an illogic children's literature in Hebrew culture. His last book was written in 1996.