Ayin Hillel


Ayin Hillel was the pen name of Hillel Omer, an Israeli poet and children's author.

Biography

Hillel Kotovitz was born in Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek in the Jezreel Valley to Binyamin and Shlomit Kotovitz. He fought in the Palmach during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. From 1954 to 1969 he was a landscape designer in Jerusalem. He designed the city's botanical and biblical gardens and continued to work in landscaping after moving to Tel Aviv. He was married to Zipporah Lerman, with whom he had three daughters, Tal Omer, Nuli Omer and Loulou Omer.

Literary career

Ayin Hillel's work has been translated into English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Spanish, and Russian. Among his most famous compositions are "Why Does the Zebra Wear Pajamas" and "Uncle Simcha".
Ayin Hillel's poem, Hanesher, is written in Biblical Hebrew, but expresses the doubts and disillusions of the twentieth century.

Awards and recognition

In 1976, Ayin Hillel won the Fichman Prize. In 1990, he won the Hans Christian Andersen Award for his contribution to children's literature.

Published works

Poetry

The Noon Country, Sifriat Poalim, 1950 Nisra, The Author, 1962 Hunting Madness, Am Oved, 1964 Eulogy, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1973 Speak, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1980 Joseph and Potiphar's Wife, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1982 Until Now, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1983 Holon's Fables, Sifriat Poalim, 1991

Children's books

Why Does the Zebra Wear Pajamas?, Sifriat Poalim, 1959 Abroad, Abroad!, Sifriat Poalim, 1960 Nobody Can See Me, Massada, 1967 Uncle Simcha, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1969/99 I'm a Warbler, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1970 Good Morning, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1971 Bulbul, Why?, Massada, 1972 Birdie, Birdie, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1973 Giraffe in Blue Jeans, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1976 Uncle Simcha's Voice, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1976 How Are You Mrs. Ladybird, Am Oved, 1977 From Fly To Elephant, Keter, 1977 A Story About Cats, Keter, 1977 Yossi, Smart Child of Mine, Massada, 1978 Unbelievable, Ministry of Education, 1978
  • When Uncle Simcha Sings, Zionist Confederation, 1984 I'm a Warbler, Certainly and Maybe, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1987 The Book of Scribble-songs, R. Sirkis, 1988 A Cloud in My Hand, Sifriat Poalim, 1989 It Happened to a Fawn, Kinneret, 1989 Ayin Hillel's Big Book, Am Oved, 1992 A Kibbutz Adventure, London, F. Warne, 1963

Other

  • Blue and Thorns, Sifriyat Hapoalim, 1977