Hi!

My name is Gizem Gozde Ucar. I am a children’s book author and illustrator based in London. Born in 1990 in Istanbul, Turkey, I’ve always been passionate about drawing, making up stories, and creating imaginary worlds.

I have illustrated many children’s books and picture books for various publishing houses, wrote and illustrated stories for magazines and apps and was part of great exhibitions.

The first picture book I wrote and illustrated, “Kara Tina” published in November 2020, sold over 10,000 copies shortly after release. My second picture book "Aklimda Bir Sey Var!" was published in 2024 was showcased at various international exhibitions.

Meeting with children and seeing how much they laugh at the story is the best part of what I do! I love doing author/illustrator meet-ups, events, readings and workshops. I am also passionate about causes for children. I have been volunteering for over 10 years, teaching underprivileged kids arts and literature, drawing murals for children’s hospitals and schools.

I also do various workshops and events for both children and adults all around the UK. They are all very interactive, creative and fun!

I get inspired by pretty much everything! The little fun stories from the daily lives of children, the colours of nature, the incredible life of animals, and the vast patterns of Anatolian art are some of the things that move my pen and brush.

Nowadays I am chasing squirrels in the park for a sketch, making up stories and having insightful conversations with 5-year-olds about why owls say "who" during my art workshops.

PICTUREBOOKS

Aklımda Bir Şey Var!, Yapı Kredi, Turkey, 2024

Kara Tina, Altın Kitaplar, Turkey, 2020

AWARDS

JIA Illustration Award: Bronze Award, Japan, 2024

Artworks selected to be exhibited at AFCC BIG, Singapore, Singapore, 2024

Artworks selected for SCBWI British Isles Exhibition, Manchester, UK, 2023

ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Tarhun, Samed Behrengi, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2023

Kel Güvercinci, Samed Behrengi, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2023

Orman Olmak, Bengisu Gencay, Uçan Fil, Turkey, 2022

Çıngıraklı Deve, Samed Behrengi, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2022

Harika Bir Başlangıç, Annette Pehnt, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2021

Hoppala Tumbala Cumbala Bütün Hayırlar Buraya, Ayiegül Kahvecioğlu, Ithaki, Turkey, 2021

Plastik Ada, Semra Günaydın Çınar, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2021

Anlat Dede, Nehir Yarar, Elma, Turkey, 2020

Sevgi Masalı, Samed Behrengi, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2020

Nohut Adam, Anıl Basılı, Timaş, Turkey, 2020

Bir Şeftali Bin Şeftali, Samed Behrengi, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2020

Küçük Kara Balık, Samed Behrengi, Kırmızı Kedi, Turkey, 2020

Çinide Canı Sıkılan Lale, Yurdanur Ay Paşa, ABM, Turkey, 2020

EXHIBITIONS

Ilustrofest, Belgrade, Serbia, 2024

AFCC BIG (Asian Festival of Children's Content - Book Illustration Gallery), Singapore, Singapore, 2024

Litera 2024, Skopje, North Macedonia, 2024

Ilustradays, Athens, Greece, 2024

SCBWI British Isles, Manchester, United Kingdom, 2023

Yo Illo, London, United Kingdom, 2023

Candid Art, London, United Kingdom, 2023

Ilustrofest, Belgrade, Serbia, 2023

Yee London, London, United Kingdom, 2023

The Marmara Pera Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey, 2019

360 Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey, 2019

La Visione Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey, 2018

PRESS

Exclusive Video Interview as the Guest Artist for Litera Festival, RACIN.MK, 2024

Live TV Interview - Guest Artist Spotlight, Sloboden Pecat, 2024

Interview for the Masterclass, in the morning news, Alfa TV, 2024

Exclusive Interview as Guest Artist on national radio, MRT, 2024

Opening Ceremony Speech for Litera Festival & Headline Feature, Sloboden Pecat, 2024

Guest Artist Feature for Litera Festival, in the news, TRN, 2024

Gizem in the news as the Guest Artist for Litera Festival, Smart, 2024

Spotlight Article as "Featured Illustrator of the Month" for Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' magazine Words & Picture, 2024

Exhibition Coverage for Selected Artworks at SCBWI Exhibition, Words & Picture, 2023

Gizem and Her Exhibited Artworks at Yee London Exhibition, British Yasam, 2023