Uri Orlev, born Jerzy Henryk Orlowski, was born in Warsaw, Poland. He survived the war years in the Warsaw Ghetto and the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where he was sent after his mother was shot by the Nazis). After the war he moved to Israel. He began writing children's literature in 1976 and has since published over 30 books, which are often biographical. His books have been translated from Hebrew into 36 languages, while he himself has also translated Polish literature into Hebrew.

• In 1996, Orlev received the Hans Christian Andersen Award for children's literature. The jury's statement was:

"Uri Orlev's experience as a Jewish boy in war-torn Poland is the background of this outstanding writer for children. Whether his stories are set in the Warsaw ghetto or his new country Israel, he never loses the perspective of the child he was. He writes at a high literary level, with integrity and humor, in a way which is never sentimental, exhibiting the skill to say much in few words. Uri Orlev shows how children can survive without bitterness in harsh and terrible times."

• In 2006, he was awarded the Bialik Prize for literature (jointly with Ruth Almog and Raquel Chalfi).

Books Published in Hebrew

• Till Tomorrow (novel), Am Oved, 1958 [Ad Mahar]
• The Last Summer Vacation (stories), Daga, 1968 [Hufshat Ha-Kayitz Ha-Aharonah]

Children and Young Readers

• The Thing in the Dark, Am Oved, 1976 [Hayat Ha-Hoshech]
• It's Hard to Be a Lion, Am Oved, 1979; Zmora Bitan, 2002 [Kashe Lihiyot Aryeh]
• The Island on Bird Street, Keter, 1981 [Ha-Yi Be-Rehov Ha-Tziporim]
• The Wings Turn, Massada, 1981 [Tor Ha-Knafayim]
• Big Brother, Keter, 1983 [Ah Boger]
• The Lead Soldiers, Sifriat Poalim, 1956; Keter, 1983 [Hayalei Oferet]
• The Dragon's Crown, Keter, 1986 [Keter Ha-Drakon]
• The Man from the Other Side, Keter, 1988 [Ha-Ish Min Ha-Tzad Ha-Aher]
• The Lady with the Hat, Keter, 1990 [Ha-Gveret Im Ha-Migba`at]
• Lydia, Queen of Palestine, Keter, 1991 [Lydia Malkat Eretz Israel]
• Last of Kin, Keter, 1996 [Rehokei Mishpahah]
• A Mouthful of Meatball, Keter, 1995 [Ktzitzah Me-Ha-Tzohorayim]
• The Sandgame, Keter, 1996 [Mishak Ha-Hol]
• The Wandering Family, Keter, 1997 [Ha-Mishpahah Ha-Nodedet]
• The Song of the Whales, Keter, 1997 [Shirat Ha-Leviatanim]
• Run, Boy, Run, Keter, 2001 [Rutz, Yeled, Rutz]
• Poems from Bergen-Belsen, 1944 (young readers), (Bilingual with Polish), Yad Vashem, 2005 [Shirim *Mi-Bergen-Belsen, 1944]
• Tarot Cards in Jambul, forthcoming

Picture Books

• The Big-Little Girl, Keter, 1977; Keter, 2006 [Ketanah-Gedolah]
• Noon Thoughts, Sifriat Poalim, 1978 [Mahshavot Tzohorayim]
• A Hole in the Head, Keter, 1979 [Meshaga`at Pilim]
• Siamina, Am Oved, 1979 [Siamina]
• The Lion Shirt, Massada, 1979 [Hultzat Ha-Aryeh]; Keter, 2000
• The Black Cloud, Massada, 1979 [Ha-Anan Ha-Shahor]
• How Mr. Cork Made the Brain Work, Massada, 1979 [Ma`ase Be-Manoah She-Hif`il Et Ha-Moah]
• The Good-Luck Pacifier, Am Oved, 1980; 2002 [Motzetz Ha-Mazal]
• Granny Knits, Massada, 1980 [Savta Soreget]
• Mr. Mayor, Let Us Sing, Massada, 1980; 1993 [Rosh Ha-Ir Ten Lashir]
• How to Be Four, Am Oved,1985 [Masah Le-Gil Arba]
• On the Wrong Side of the Bed, Keter, 1985 [Al Tzad Smol]
• Hairy Tuesday, Keter, 1988 [Hafifat Rosh]