You might know Morris Gleitzman as the author who made kids laugh with books like Bumface and Toad Rage. But his most enduring work carries a much heavier weight—a series about a Jewish boy named Felix surviving the Holocaust. The contrast between the comedian and the historian is what makes his career so fascinating.
Born: 9 January 1953 ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Notable work: Once (2005) ·
Awards: Children’s Book Council of Australia awards
Quick snapshot
- Born 9 January 1953 in Sleaford, England (Wikipedia)
- Moved to Australia at age 16 (Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin)
- Former screenwriter turned children’s author (Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin)
- Seven books published from 2005 to 2021 (Next Book in the Series)
- Set during and after World War II (Macmillan)
- Follows Felix and Zelda through decades (Macmillan)
- Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year (Wikipedia)
- NSW Premier’s Literary Award (Wikipedia)
- Australian Children’s Laureate 2018–2019 (Google Play Books)
- Once recommended for ages 10–14 (Google Play Books)
- Amazon lists reading age 12–18 (Amazon)
- Lexile measure 640L, grade levels 2–9 (Amazon)
Six key facts about Morris Gleitzman, one pattern: his career spans comedy and tragedy, but his most awarded work is the one that takes history seriously.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Morris Gleitzman |
| Born | 9 January 1953, Sleaford, England |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Genres | Children’s fiction, young adult fiction, historical fiction |
| Notable Works | Once, Two Weeks with the Queen, Toad Rage |
| Awards | Multiple CBCA awards, NSW Premier’s Literary Award, Australian Children’s Laureate |
The pattern: Gleitzman’s career arc from comedy to historical fiction shows a writer willing to take on heavier subjects as his audience grows.
What is Morris Gleitzman’s most famous book?
By any measure—sales, awards, cultural footprint—Morris Gleitzman’s most famous book is Once, published in 2005 (Kiddle). It has been adapted into a stage play and is taught in schools across Australia and the UK.
Overview of his most popular works
- Once (2005) – the breakout Holocaust novel for middle-grade readers
- Two Weeks with the Queen (1989) – a comedy-drama about a boy trying to save his dying brother
- Bumface (1998) – a humorous novel about a boy desperate to avoid being a big brother
- Toad Rage (2004) – first of the comedic Toad series
Why Once is considered his most famous
The Once series has been described by Macmillan as a “trilogy” that follows Felix from 1942 in a Catholic orphanage through a narrow escape from a death-camp-bound train, and then into old age. The book’s honest portrayal of the Holocaust for young readers earned it a Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year award and a spot on many school reading lists.
Gleitzman built his reputation on comedy, but his most famous book is a Holocaust story. The trade-off: his humorous instincts make the heavy subject more accessible to young readers without downplaying the danger.
The pattern: Gleitzman’s earlier comic works gave him the tools to handle dark themes with a light touch, making Once the book that introduced him to a global audience.
Is the book ‘Once’ a true story?
No—Once is historical fiction, not a true story. The events are set in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, but the character Felix is a fictional creation (Macmillan).
Historical context of Once
- The story begins in 1942, during the height of the Holocaust
- Felix hides in a Catholic orphanage, then escapes from a train bound for a death camp
- The series later covers the post-war period and the founding of Israel
Fiction vs reality
Gleitzman has said on BBC Bitesize that he “wanted to write about the Holocaust for young readers without being too frightening, but I also wanted to be honest about the danger.” The child characters are invented, but they are inspired by the experiences of real children who survived the war.
The implication: Readers who pick up Once looking for a true story will find a historically accurate setting, but they should understand that the plot is Gleitzman’s invention. The power lies in the emotional truth, not the literal events.
What is the order of the Morris Gleitzman books?
Seven books in the Once series follow Felix and Zelda from childhood to old age. The correct reading order is: Once (2005), Then (2008), Now (2010), After (2012), Soon (2015), Maybe (2017), Always (2021).
The Once series reading order
- Once – Felix is 10, hiding in an orphanage
- Then – Felix and Zelda flee through occupied Poland
- Now – Felix is an old man, reflecting on his past
- After – Felix as a young adult after the war
- Soon – Felix in post-war Poland
- Maybe – Felix and Zelda’s story continues
- Always – the final volume, published 2021
Macmillan’s official Once series page lists only Once, Then, and Now as a trilogy, but other sources like Next Book in the Series include all seven books for the complete Felix and Zelda arc.
Other books by Morris Gleitzman
Beyond the Once series, Gleitzman has written more than 30 books. His earlier works include Two Weeks with the Queen (1989), Bumface (1998), and the Toad series (Toad Rage, Toad Heaven, Toad Away). He also wrote Doubting Thomas (2004), a standalone about a boy with a unique perspective on religion.
The catch: The series expanded beyond the original trilogy because readers kept asking for more. The seven-book arc means readers commit to a longer journey, but each book is short enough to finish in a few sittings.
What age are Morris Gleitzman books for?
Age recommendations vary by book. The Once series is generally aimed at readers aged 10–14, but his earlier comedies target a slightly younger audience.
Age recommendation for Once
- Google Play Books lists Once for ages 9–12
- Amazon lists reading age 12–18, grade levels 2–9, Lexile 640L
- Goodreads user reviews suggest ages 11+
Age range for other books
Gleitzman’s comedic works like Toad Rage and Bumface are typically recommended for ages 8–12. The Once series, because it deals with the Holocaust, is better suited for the upper end of that range or slightly older. Parents and educators should note that while the books are not graphically violent, they do address themes of persecution, loss, and survival.
Amazon’s grade range of 2–9 is unusually wide. For a 7-year-old, the Holocaust themes in Once may be too abstract or frightening. A stricter age floor of 10 is more realistic based on publisher guidance and reader feedback.
The trade-off: Gleitzman’s books are accessible to younger readers because of his simple language and humor, but the emotional weight of the Once series requires a maturity that not all 10-year-olds have. Parents should preview the first chapter.
How old is Zelda in Once?
Zelda is 10 years old in Once (Wikipedia). Felix is also 10. They meet when Felix discovers her hiding in a basement.
Zelda’s character background
- Zelda is a Jewish girl whose parents were taken by the Nazis
- She is brave, talkative, and fiercely protective of Felix
- Her age makes her relatable to the target reader
Age of other characters
Throughout the series, Felix and Zelda age. By Now, Felix is an elderly man living in Australia. After and Soon show him as a teenager and young adult. The aging of the protagonists allows readers who start the series at age 10 to grow with the characters.
What this means: The consistent age of the main characters in the first book—matching the target reader’s age—is a deliberate choice to draw children into the story. By the time readers reach the later books, they are emotionally invested in characters who have lived through decades of history.
Confirmed facts
- Once is historical fiction, not a true story (Macmillan)
- Zelda is 10 years old in Once (Wikipedia)
- The Once series reading order is Once, Then, Now, After, Soon, Maybe, Always (Next Book in the Series)
- Gleitzman was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2018–2019 (Google Play Books)
- He was born in Sleaford, England, on 9 January 1953 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Whether future books in the Once series will be published (Next Book in the Series notes some inconsistency about the series length)
- The exact real-life inspiration for the character Felix (Gleitzman has not named a specific child)
Quotes
“I wanted to write about the Holocaust for young readers without being too frightening, but I also wanted to be honest about the danger.”
— Morris Gleitzman, in an interview with BBC Bitesize
“The Once series is a remarkable achievement: it manages to be both a gripping adventure story and a serious exploration of one of history’s darkest periods.”
— Review in Kirkus Reviews (via Amazon product page)
For Australian parents and educators, the choice is clear: Gleitzman’s Once series offers a way into Holocaust education that is age-appropriate without being sanitized. The earlier comedic books are safe bets for 8–12 year olds, but the Once series demands a careful hand from the adult who introduces it. For the reader, the journey through Felix’s life is a reward—but only if they are ready for it.
de.wikipedia.org, morrisgleitzman.com, hkbabyshop.com, simple.wikipedia.org
For a deeper look at his life and work, readers can explore Morris Gleitzmans biography and Once series on Australia Current.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Morris Gleitzman born?
He was born on 9 January 1953 in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England (Wikipedia).
How many books has Morris Gleitzman written?
He has written more than 30 books for children and young adults (Wikipedia).
What awards has Morris Gleitzman won?
He has won multiple Children’s Book Council of Australia awards, the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, and was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2018–2019 (Wikipedia).
Is Morris Gleitzman still writing?
Yes, he continues to write. The most recent book in the Once series, Always, was published in 2021 (Next Book in the Series).
What is Morris Gleitzman’s writing style?
His style is characterized by short sentences, humor, and emotional depth. He often uses a first-person child narrator, which makes serious themes accessible to young readers.
What is the Once series about?
The series follows Felix, a Jewish boy, and his friend Zelda from the Holocaust through post-war Europe and into old age. It is historical fiction set in the 20th century (Macmillan).
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.