Author • Turkish literature

Gülsevin Kıral

She was born in Eskişehir in 1959. She graduated from Boğaziçi University, Department of Economics and worked in the banking sector for many years. Her articles were published in various literary journals and she has translation works. Her books Ablami Nereye Kacirdilar published in 2006, and Berber Pire Tellal Deve (When Fleas were Barbers and Camels were Brokers) published by Günışığı Kitaplıği in 2008, received awards. After her book titled Posta Kutumdan Sihir Cikti (2006), the humor and mystery themed stories “Gizli Silahin Formulu Hangi Zarfta?” and “Agaclar Yemek Yapar mi?” received 2006 Sulhi Dölek Award given by “The Turkish Association of Children’s Publications (IBBY Turkey)”.  These stories were later compiled in a book titled Gizli Formül Hangi Zarfta! (In Which Envelope is The Secret Formula!) published by Gunisigi Kitapligi in 2007. Her adventure novels featuring Istanbul’s architectural monuments They Are Stealing Istanbul! and Stolen City were serialized under the name “Ömer Alwayssolves Detective Agency”. The author’s children’s novels Umut Sokağı Çocukları (The Hope Street Kids) published in 2015 depicts the lives of refugees through the eyes of children and Belalı Dörtlü’ye Karşı (Up Against the Troublesome Four) published in 2017 portraits a class full of students united against bullying. Kıral’s latest children’s novel published in 2021, Kayıp Defter (The Missing Notebook), is a gripping school story on prejudice and trust.  Her book titled Sarımsaklanır mı Kedi? (Pretty Kitty Whiffy Kitty?) published in 2019 covers her story poems that have made children love tongue twisters. Travelling across Turkey, the author often meets with children. Kıral lives in Istanbul with her husband and has two sons.