I illustrated a book of contemporary tales for children last month. I made a total of 16 two page illustrations in 15 days. It was fun though a bit frustrating at times. Here above are my favorites. The book is part of the magazine I’m working with so it’s not out for sale but for subscribers only. Too bad.

Stray Animals.

From a poetry book for children. This is kind of a surreal poem. I illustrated it as it is. It goes like “Because animals can’t talk, how wonderfully they might be thinking, I wonder, just like our hands. Before starting to read, one should water the flowers..” 

We have a nursery rhyme about a little child promising a ladybug if it’ll fly, his/her mother would buy it new shoes. That’s why the ladybug on the upper left is dreaming of shoes =)

This is a poem about a man (or a boy) called Mahmut the Woolgatherer. He wakes up early in the morning before everyone else, and paints the sky blue. He sews the sea when it’s torn. And sometimes he just woolgathers, because that is his job. =) The poet was probably describing himself. I think it’s a witty and smart beautiful little poem. One just envies Mahmut’s job..

Inside. From a poetry book for children. “Window, the window is the best. At least you would see birds flying past, instead of looking at the wall.”

Kites.

Child Bird. From a poetry book for children. “It was a bird, all red. They hung flowers on each of its feathers. It did not fly. It was a bird, all green. They hung a child’s ribbon on its feathers. It did fly..”

Bees. From a poetry book for children. ”You suck the apple blossoms, you fill all the honeycombs, now grab the hem of spring, fly buzzing in the air bees..”

From a poetry book for children. “Mum, you used to sing me lullabies beside my bed, the sound of your sweet voice still rings in my ear, my beloved mum you’re the joy of my heart..”

Bulut Kardes promotional tale.