Quddus Muhammadiy

Quddus Muhammadiy (25 October 1907 – 21 June 1997) was an Uzbek writer of children's literature, a poet, academic writer, and playwright. He was born to a family of farmers in Tashkent on 25 October 1907. After secondary-agricultural school, he studied at the faculty of biology at the University of Central Asia.

His first works were published in the newspaper East and in the Journal of the Face of the Earth. From 1928, his poems were published in the press under the pseudonym 'Jerusalem'. His famous poems such as "Sandals and stove" and "Self-criticism" were created in the years 1936–1937. Both old traditions and modern idioms were reflected in his poems, together with irony, satire, and humor. Muhammadiy's works are considered educational and uplifting. His children's books embody vibrant and dynamic images and art combined. He always believed that the life of people, including children's character, is formed from the effects of discrimination. He was also known as a skilled interpreter. His translations of S. Marshak, S. Mixalkov, A. Barton, and K. Chukovskiy's works played an important role in the development of Uzbek children's literature. He was awarded the State Hamza Prize in 1970 and the title of People's Poet of Uzbekistan in 1977. He died in Tashkent on 21 June 1997. In 2025, he received a posthumous presidential award for "selfless service".

Selected works Surprise the Reader (1946) Test (1947) The Reader Memorable (1947) Poetry and Fairy Tales (1947) Dream (1948) Spring (1950) The Most Powerful in the World? (1951) Forty Girls (1951) Our friends (1952) Your Birthday (1952) The New House (1953) Good Friends (1953) The Beetle and the Little Mouse (1955) Button (1956) What Ought I to Do? (1960) Very Interesting, Very Beautiful (1961) Mother-Child Love (1963) The Beginning of the Child The Age of Boys (1964) Inspiration (1967) Little Friends (1978) The Song of the Shepherd (1979) The Book and the Sun (1986) I Want You to Speak Wisdom (1987)