Morris Gleitzman

Morris Gleitzman – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Dive into the life and stories of Morris Gleitzman—born in England, raised in Australia—an acclaimed children’s and YA author. Explore his journey, creative philosophy, major works like Once, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Morris Gleitzman (born January 9, 1953) is a celebrated author of children’s and young adult fiction whose storytelling often blends humor, heart, and emotional depth. Although born in England, Gleitzman relocated to Australia during his teenage years and developed a prolific writing career there. His books—among them Two Weeks with the Queen, Misery Guts, Bumface, and the Once series—are beloved across generations. His style is marked by tackling serious issues through the eyes of young protagonists, with warmth, wit, and moral honesty.

While you described him as “English,” many sources classify him as Australian (or English-born Australian), since he spent much of his life and literary career in Australia.

Early Life and Family

Morris Gleitzman was born on 9 January 1953 in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England.

He attended Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School in Bexley, England, before his family made a major move.

When Morris was 16 (in 1969), his family emigrated to Australia.

Youth and Education

After arriving in Australia, Gleitzman worked various jobs (paperboy, shelf-stacker, frozen chicken defroster, assistant to a fashion designer, etc.) to support himself and to adapt to his new environment.

He pursued higher education in writing and graduated from the Canberra College of Advanced Education (Professional Writing) (later the University of Canberra) around 1974.

Before focusing on book writing, Gleitzman spent about ten years working as a screenwriter and in television, writing material including for the Norman Gunston Show.

During those years he also contributed columns to newspapers (e.g. The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald) which eventually were published in collections later in his career.

Career and Achievements

Transition to Literature

Gleitzman’s first novel was The Other Facts of Life (1987), which evolved from a screenplay.

Major Works & Series

He has published dozens of books spanning a wide range of youthful voices and experiences — humorous, poignant, and sometimes confronting.

Some of his most well-known works include:

• Two Weeks with the Queen (1989) — one of his breakthrough novels that tackled themes such as illness, family, and discrimination.

• Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Puppy Fat, Belly Flop, Bumface — children’s series that mix humor with emotional undercurrents.

• Wicked! (co-written with Paul Jennings) — a collaborative children’s series adapted into a TV animation in 2000.

• Once (2005) and its sequels Then, Now, After, Soon, Maybe, Always — a powerful series that follows a young boy, Felix, during and after the Holocaust era in Poland, dealing with love, loss, memory, and hope.

  The Once series is often celebrated for its courage in presenting dark historical themes to younger readers while still maintaining hope and compassion.

Beyond fiction, he has published collections of newspaper columns and adult-oriented writing.

Recognition & Roles

• He was appointed the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2018–2019.

• His books have been translated into many languages and published in over twenty countries.

• He has earned numerous awards, especially in Australia, for his contribution to children’s literature.

In recent years, Gleitzman has become more openly reflective about global challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence, and his newer works (e.g. Tweet) engage with environmental themes.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Gleitzman’s migration from England to Australia is central: though born English, his literary identity is intertwined with Australia.

• He began as a screenwriter and then made a gradual but successful pivot to children’s literature — a transition that few manage so fully.

• His Once series stands out for bringing Holocaust narratives close to young readers without diminishing the gravity of history, showing that children’s literature can confront weighty, complex subject matter.

• More recently, Gleitzman is addressing modern existential issues like climate crisis in Tweet, reflecting how even children’s literature evolves with the times.

Legacy and Influence

Morris Gleitzman’s legacy is built around:

• Bridging light and gravity: he is lauded for writing stories that are funny, warm, and yet unafraid to tackle serious topics such as illness, death, injustice, war, and environmental crisis.

• Empowering young readers: his work trusts young readers to engage actively, think morally, and feel deeply.

• Influence in children’s literature: as laureate and as a widely translated author, his voice helped raise the profile and ambition of Australian children’s writing.

• Continual relevance: even late in his career, he adapts to new concerns (e.g. climate, AI), showing that his creative drive and moral curiosity remain active.

Personality and Talents

Gleitzman is frequently described as witty, curious, deeply ethical, and perceptive about children’s inner lives.

He plans and structures his stories but leaves them open to possibilities and emergent surprises.

Gleitzman is not overly drawn to the spotlight; he avoids social media, keeps a modest personal profile, and focuses on letting the stories do the work.

Famous Quotes of Morris Gleitzman

Here are several notable quotes attributed to Morris Gleitzman, which reflect his worldview, approach to writing, and heart:

“Everybody deserves to have something good in their life. At least once.” “A little hope goes a long way.” “Don’t sit back and wait for God to do it all. Ask for His advice, but be prepared to do the hard yards yourself.” “Kid’s culture is often dismissed as superficial, like high fibre McDonald’s, but it’s so much more important than that.” “The type of stories I write are about young people grappling with the biggest problems in their lives … and they act on the basis of that — often in the face of the prevailing limits of behaviour.” “I discovered you can get closer to a character’s thoughts and feelings in a book than in a film.”

These quotes collectively show his emphasis on hope, agency, moral engagement, and respect for his young readers.

Lessons from Morris Gleitzman

1. Trust the young reader — Gleitzman treats children as capable of understanding, questioning, and feeling deeply.

2. Balance humor and seriousness — One can address weighty themes without losing warmth and hope.

3. Write with moral clarity — His stories often foreground fairness, kindness, bravery, and empathy.

4. Embrace uncertainty — Even as a mature writer, he allows his stories to surprise him and evolve organically.

5. Evolve with the times — His later work shows that even long-established authors can grow and respond to new challenges (e.g. climate change).

Conclusion

Morris Gleitzman’s journey—from a grammar school boy in England to a towering figure in children’s literature in Australia—speaks to the power of voice, imagination, and moral courage. His books remain important not just for their stories, but for how they invite readers into deeper empathy, reflection, and hope.