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	~~[[he:אמי רובינגר]]~~

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			[[he:אמי רובינגר]]

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	~~Ami Rubinger~~

	{{Infobox writer		{{Infobox writer
	\| name = Amnon (Ami) Rubinger		\| name = Amnon (Ami) Rubinger

Notmaya: Created page with "Ami Rubinger {{Infobox writer | name = Amnon (Ami) Rubinger | birth_date = July 15, 1953 | death_date = March 24, 2019 | occupation = children's author, illustrator, and caricaturist | image = Ami Rubinger.jpg | relatives = David Rubinger (father) | notable_works = Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 (האו עד עשר); Big Cat, Small Cat (חתול גדול חתול קטן); I Dream of an Elephant; Elephants in All the Co..."

2026-10-29T21:39:03Z

Created page with "Ami Rubinger {{Infobox writer | name = Amnon (Ami) Rubinger | birth_date = July 15, 1953 | death_date = March 24, 2019 | occupation = children's author, illustrator, and caricaturist | image = Ami Rubinger.jpg | relatives = David Rubinger (father) | notable_works = Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 (האו עד עשר); Big Cat, Small Cat (חתול גדול חתול קטן); I Dream of an Elephant; Elephants in All the Co..."

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Ami Rubinger

{{Infobox writer
| name = Amnon (Ami) Rubinger
| birth_date = July 15, 1953
| death_date = March 24, 2019
| occupation = children's author, illustrator, and caricaturist
| image = Ami Rubinger.jpg
| relatives = [[David Rubinger]] (father)
| notable_works = Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 (האו עד עשר); Big Cat, Small Cat (חתול גדול חתול קטן); I Dream of an Elephant; Elephants in All the Colors (פילים בכל הצבעים); Who Am I, What Am I (מי אני מה אני); No Such Lions (אין אריות כאלה); The Mouse Who Jumped on Everyone's Head (העכבר שקפץ על הראש של כולם); Oded Works and Works and Works (עודד עובד ועובד ועובד); Adventures of Somebody in the Secret School (עלילות מישהו בבית הספר הסודי).
}}

'''Amnon (Ami) Rubinger''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: אמי רובינגר; July 15, 1953 – March 24, 2019) was an Israeli children's author, illustrator, and caricaturist<ref>Rubinger, A. (2009). ''Big cat, small cat''. Abbeville Kids. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/big-cat-small-cat-ami-rubinger/1102505204?ean=9780789210296</ref> known for his high-contrast digital art style. He was widely known for his "Toddler Series," which uses rhyming and participatory elements in books meant for young children.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=נאנוס |first=ציון |date=2014-10-16 |title=מתלמיד כושל – לסופר מצליח |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-channel2/Channel-2-Newscast-q4_2014/Article-7d678bb013a1941004.htm |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=N12 |language=he}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite magazine |date=19 May 2010 |title=BIG CAT, SMALL CAT |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ami-rubinger/big-cat-small-cat/ |access-date=20 August 2026 |magazine=Kirkus Reviews}}</ref> Rubinger was the son of [[David Rubinger]], a world-renowned photojournalist and [[Israel Prize]] laureate<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2019-03-24 |title=המאייר ומחבר ספרי הילדים אמי רובינגר הלך לעולמו |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5483316,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417061749/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5483316,00.html |archive-date=2025-04-17 |access-date=2026-01-05 |work=ynet |language=he |url-status=live }}</ref>.<ref name=":1">Lori, A. (2012, April 11). ''David and Ami (Amnon) Rubinger'' [Profile]. ''Haaretz''. https://www.haaretz.co.il/magazine/apple/2012-04-11/ty-article/0000017f-e852-df2c-a1ff-fe53d3230000</ref>

== Early life and career ==
When Rubinger was 13 year old, a photography he took was published in the [[The Jerusalem Post|Jerusalem Post]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=דוד ואמי (אמנון) רובינגר |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/magazine/apple/2012-04-11/ty-article/0000017f-e852-df2c-a1ff-fe53d3230000 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250417062222/https://www.haaretz.co.il/magazine/apple/2012-04-11/ty-article/0000017f-e852-df2c-a1ff-fe53d3230000 |archive-date=2025-04-17 |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=Haaretz הארץ |language=he}}</ref>

Rubinger served in the [[Israel Defense Forces]] as a photographer for the [[Armored Corps (Israel)|Armored Corps]].<ref name=":7">{{cite web |last=Galron-Goldschläger |first=Joseph |title=אמי רובינגר |trans-title=Ami Rubinger |url=https://benyehuda.org/lexicon/01013.php |access-date=20 August 2026 |website=Lexicon of Modern Hebrew Literature |publisher=Ohio State University |language=he}}</ref> During the late 1970s and 1980s, he designed several album covers for the Israeli rock movement, most notably for ''Gan Eden'' (1979)<ref>{{Cite web |last=ומונו |first=סטריאו |title=גן עדן- להקת גן עדן (1979) |url=https://stereo-ve-mono.com/1147 |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=סטריאו ומונו, אתר הדיסקוגרפיה של המוסיקה הישראלית}}</ref>, Gary Eckstein's ''Gedaliahu and the Miystook'' (1982), and the influential debut album of the band ''[[Mashina]]'' (1985)<ref>{{Cite web |title=משינה Archives |url=https://mashina.co.il/album/%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%94/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=mashina.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= |title=משינה |url=https://www.nli.org.il/en/items/NNL_MUSIC_AL990028082290205171/NLI |access-date=20 August 2026 |publisher=National Library of Israel}}</ref>.

Rubinger began his career as an illustrator for ''[[Haaretz]]'' then worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for ''[[Yedioth Ahronoth]]'' for 15 years until 2007, after which he focused on writing and illustrating books. He wrote and illustrated more than 15 books, many of them for children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ami Rubinger |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2244468/ami-rubinger/ |access-date=20 August 2026 |website=Penguin Random House}}</ref>

Rubinger said in an 2012 interview that he started his books from illustrations, and that he learned how to write books because he wanted to illustrate his own stories and not just other people's.<ref name=":8" />

== Children's literature and collaborations ==
In 2007, Rubinger transitioned exclusively to children's literature, focusing on the "fill-in-the-blank" rhyming structure. He said in interviews that he intended for his books to function more like "toys"<ref name=":0" /> or "sweets"<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=2012-12-13 |title=אמי רובינגר: "בספרי ילדים מותר הכל" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4318787,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715141701/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4318787,00.html |archive-date=2025-07-15 |access-date=2026-01-05 |work=ynet |language=he |url-status=live }}</ref> rather than traditional literature, emphasizing active engagement of the children and colorful, humorous illustration of animals.<ref name=":8" />

The first book in Rubinger's toddler series was ''Big Cat,'' ''Small Cat'', published in Hebrew in 2004 by [[Keter Publishing House]]. The book uses rhyming couplets presenting pairs of opposites, with the final word or phrase missing, so that children can come up with it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=ספיר ויץ |first=כרמית |date=2011-10-25 |title=סוד ההצלחה - כישלון: ראיון עם אמי רובינגר |url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/17/ART2/298/155.html |work=makor rishon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Big Cat, Small Cat" von Ami Rubinger |url=https://www.hugendubel.de/de/buch_gebunden/ami_rubinger-big_cat_small_cat-7899344-produkt-details.html |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=hugendubel |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=אמי רובינגר |url=https://www.keter-books.co.il/%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%A8 |access-date=20 August 2026 |website=Keter Books}}</ref> The English edition of the book was published by [[Abbeville Press]] in 2009 using computer-generated images in bold colors.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ami Rubinger |url=https://www.abbeville.com/collections/vendors?q=ami+rubinger |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=Abbeville |language=en}}</ref> The participatory format of completing rhymes also appeared in his later books, such as in ''We're Traveling''.<ref name=":6">{{cite web |title=אנחנו מטילים / אמי רובינגר |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH990035795230205171/NLI |access-date=20 August 2026 |website=National Library of Israel}}</ref>

Rubinger was also a frequent collaborator with author [[Shlomo Abas]], illustrating classic collections such as ''The Elephant Joke Book'' and ''The Big Book of Fairy Tales''.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":2" />

== Awards ==
In 1986, Rubinger received a [[Certificate of Merit Medal|Certificate of Merit]] ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: ציון לשבח) from the [[Israel Museum]]'s Ben-Yitzhak Award for the Illustration of a Children's Book. In 1993, he received a [[UNESCO]] Prize in [[Tokyo]].<ref>Israel Museum Jerusalem. (n.d.). [https://museum.imj.org.il/artcenter/newsite/en/?artist=Rubinger%2C+Ami Ami Rubinger]. The Israel Museum. Retrieved August 20, 2026.</ref>

== Legacy ==
[[File:Ami Rubinger grave.jpg|alt=Ami Rubiner's Grave, Yarkon Cemetery, Petah Tikva|thumb|Ami Rubinger's Grave, Yarkon Cemetery, Petah Tikva]]
Rubinger's books are characterised by flowing rhymes and short plots, alongside vivid, full-page color schemes. They combine accessible language with humor appealing to both children and adults. In most books, Rubinger focuses on a specific vocabulary theme:<ref name=":8" /> colors in ''Elephants in All Colors'', counting in ''Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10'', and musical instruments in ''The Rhythm Monster Orchestra''.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=אמי רובינגר |url=https://www.booknet.co.il//%d7%90%d7%9e%d7%99-%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%91%d7%99%d7%a0%d7%92%d7%a8 |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=www.booknet.co.il |language=he}}</ref>

Rubinger's books were very popular, and upon his death, he was one of Israel's most successful children's book authors.<ref name=":0" /> His works remain a foundational element of early childhood education in Israel,<ref name=":2" /> used extensively by educators and speech therapists to foster language development in the pre-literate age group.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Lee, V. (2009, November 24). ''[https://www.haaretz.co.il/literature/2009-11-24/ty-article/0000017f-da77-d432-a77f-df7fd2080000 Khamesh sheʼelot le-Ami Rubinger]'' [Five questions to Ami Rubinger]. ''Haaretz''. </ref>

== Personal life ==
Rubinger resided in [[Tel Aviv]] until his death due to cancer on March 24, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-24 |title=המאייר וסופר ספרי הילדים אמי רובינגר הלך לעולמו - וואלה תרבות |url=http://e.walla.co.il/item/3226278 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=וואלה |language=he}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> He was 65, divorced, and is survived by his two sons.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news |last=פלוטקין |first=יובל |date=2019-03-22 |title=הסופר והמאייר עמי רובינגר הלך לעולמו |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5483316,00.html |publisher=Ynet |language=he}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

== Works==

=== International English Editions ===

* '''Big Cat, Small Cat''' (2009) — ISBN 978-0789210333<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com: Big Cat, Small Cat: 9780789210296: Rubinger, Ami |url=https://www.amazon.com/Big-Cat-Small-Ami-Rubinger/dp/0789210290 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223225150/https://www.amazon.com/Big-Cat-Small-Ami-Rubinger/dp/0789210290 |archive-date=2024-12-23 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=www.amazon.com |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rubinger |first=Ami |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Big_Cat_Small_Cat.html?hl=de&id=XwaPEAAAQBAJ |title=Big Cat, Small Cat |date=2009-08-25 |publisher=National Geographic Books |isbn=978-0-7892-1029-6 |language=en}}</ref>
* '''I Dream of an Elephant''' (2010) — ISBN 978-0789210753
* '''Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10''' (2011) — ISBN 978-0789211026<ref>{{cite book |last=Rubinger |first=Ami |title=Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 |publisher=Abbeville Kids |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7892-1066-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rubinger |first=Ami |title=Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 |trans-title=English version of "Hao Ad Eser" |url=https://www.hamigdalor.co.il/item/9780789210661/dog-number-1-dog-number-10/ |access-date=20 August 2026 |publisher=HaMigdalor Books |language=he}}</ref>
* '''Boaz in the Tub''' (2012) — ISBN 978-0789211316

=== Core Hebrew Publications<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=ספרים מאת אמי רובינגר - כתר ספרים |url=https://www.keter-books.co.il/%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%A8 |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=www.keter-books.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref> ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Hebrew Title
!English Translation
|-
|1982
|חתול מחפש חבר
|A Cat Looks for a Friend
|-
|1994
|המפלצת הקופצת
|The Jumping Monster
|-
|2004
|חתול גדול חתול קטן
|Big Cat, Small Cat
|-
|2004
|פשפש מתלבש
|A Flea Gets Dressed
|-
|2006
|בובי בוא בובי לך
|Bobby Come, Bobby Go
|-
|2006
|ספר הקרחת
|The Baldness Book
|-
|2007
|אין אריות כאלה
|No Such Lions
|-
|2008
|פילים בכל הצבעים
|Elephants in All Colors
|-
|2009
|האו עד עשר
|Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10
|-
|2010
|תזמורת מפלצות הקצב
|The Rhythm Monster Orchestra
|-
|2010
|פוצקי (עם נועה גייר)
|Putzki (with Noa Geyer)
|-
|2011
|חיות מבולבלות
|Confused Animals
|-
|2011
|אנחנו מטיילים
|We're Traveling<ref name=":6" />
|-
|2012
|כובע מקסים כובע עם פסים
|A Hat So Nice a Hat with Stripes<ref>{{Cite web |title=כובע מקסים כובע עם פסים - קרטון {{!}} כל ספרי ילדים ונוער {{!}} כתר - חנות ספרים אונליין |url=https://www.keter-books.co.il/%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A2-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A2-%D7%A2%D7%9D-%D7%A4%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%9D |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=www.keter-books.co.il |language=he-IL}}</ref>
|-
|2012
|גע-גע-גע ספר משוגע
|Ga-ga-ga, a Crazy Book
|-
|2013
|אנחנו מטיילים
|We're Traveling
|-
|2014
|העכבר שקפץ על הראש של כולם
|The Mouse Who Jumped on Everyone's Head
|-
|2015
|גע-גע-גע ספר משוגע
|Ga-ga-ga, a Crazy Book
|-
|2018
|חגיגה באמבטיה
|Bathtub Celebration
|}

== See also ==

*[[David Rubinger]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==

* נורית שילה־כהן, (עורכת), ספר המאיירים הגדול, זוכי פרס מוזיאון ישראל לאיור ספר ילדים על-שם בן-יצחק בשנים 1978–2004, מוזיאון ישראל ועם עובד, 2005, עמ' 302–309.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rubinger, Ami}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:Israeli children's book illustrators]]

Ami Rubinger - Revision history

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Notmaya at 21:40, 29 October 2026