There are many fun books about Turkey the country which help your child learn, whether they are picture books, resource books, or folk tales that tell about Turkey. Also, look at my post Mini Unit Study: Geography Quest about The Country of Turkey and my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.
Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a fascinating country to study. It has a long and complex history that includes ancient civilizations, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire.
Hands-on crafts are a powerful way to help children connect with world geography and history. One simple but meaningful project is crafting a fez hat, a traditional headwear closely associated with Turkey and the former Ottoman Empire.
Pairing this craft with carefully chosen books about Turkey turns a fun activity into a rich cultural learning experience that spans history, geography, and social studies for a virtual trip around the world your child won’t soon forget.
I am bringing you a variety of books, facts, and more hands-on activities in addition to the fez tutorial to get a fun Turkey unit going.
BOOKS ABOUT TURKEY THE COUNTRY FOR KIDS
11 Books About the Country of Turkey
Add these books to your reading day or to a unit study to learn about the fascinating country of Turkey.
Every chapter is crafted to spark wonder. Children will meet the first people of Anatolia, explore the mysteries of Troy, walk through ancient Greek and Roman cities, witness the rise of the Byzantines, follow the journeys of the Seljuks and the Ottomans, and watch Turkey transform into a modern republic led by inspiring figures like Atatürk. Through t all, young readers learn how courage, kindness, and curiosity shaped an entire region.This book is not just about what happened. It shows kids why history matters and how every moment carries a lesson worth remembering. Packed with rich storytelling, fun facts, and easy-to-understand explanations, it is perfect for curious minds between 7 and 13 who love to explore, ask questions, and discover how the world came to be.
Did you know that Turkey is the only country in the world that exists on two continents, Europe and Asia? The Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul divides the city and the country into two parts, with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia.If this topic interests you and your little one then get ready for some fun and giggles.It is hard to find the time to teach your child about the world around them. Luckily, in 50 Facts About Turkey, we've made it easy. Our book contains a diverse selection of the most interesting facts about Turkey that will provide your child with hours of bonding and exploring.
An introduction to the history, geography, plants and animals, people, economy, cities, transportation, government, holidays and festivals, and culture of Turkey.
This lyrical, whimsical picture book, set in the old city of Istanbul, celebrates kindness and generosity of spirit.Follow one little girl on her busy day through the old city of Istanbul--from the Galata bridge to the Grand Bazaar--as the city opens its arms to her. All along the way, the generous people she meets share many gifts with her: sesame rounds, hot tea, a boat ride, rose candy, pomegranate juice, even a scrub in a Turkish bath! But she doesn't just keep the gifts for herself. At every turn, she finds a way to share what has been given to her and pass it on so others can enjoy it too.
Bring the world a little closer with these multicultural books. An excellent way for students to appreciate and learn cultural diversity in an exciting hands-on format. Each book explores the history, language, holidays, festivals, customs, legends, foods, creative arts, lifestyles, and games of the title country. A creative alternative to student research reports and a time-saver for teachers since the activities and resource material are contained in one book.
Once upon a time in Turkey there lived a funny, little wise man named Nasrettin Hoca. He wore a huge, white turban and a worn-out coat made of patches upon patches. Riding about on his little gray donkey, he liked to help whomever he could.A friend to all, Nasrettin is a popular figure. But when he is suddenly ignored at a friend's banquet, he realizes it is his patchwork coat that is turning people away from him. He leaves the party and returns later, wearing a brand-new coat. Now Nasrettin is warmly welcomed. But instead of eating the delicious foods placed before him, he feeds them to his coat!How Nasrettin Hoca teaches his friends a lesson about appearances is the heart of this hilarious and clever story. With good humor and luminous illustrations inspired by traditional Turkish paintings, Demi brings to life Turkey's most famous folk hero and imparts a timeless tale with a moral that will resonate with readers everywhere.
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul will lead you straight to the best attractions this city has to offer. Explore the must-see Hagia Sophia, take in the beauty of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and don't miss out on the incredible street food.
Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Istanbul.
• Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance.
• Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights.
A day in the life of a child in Turkey told from the child’s point of view. I See the Sun in Turkey is one of the books in the multiple award-winning I See the Sun in... series of bi-lingual picture books, each focused on one country and one day in the life of one child with a story told from the child’s perspective. I See the Sun in Turkey provides a unique introduction to the culture, family life and language of Turkey in a way that is age-appropriate and sensitive to the current culture and circumstances without becoming political. As with the other books in the series, the author has spent a considerable amount of time in Turkey, not merely as a tourist, but immersed in the environment and living with families who have opened their homes and their hearts to her. Includes facts about the country and a glossary for extended learning. Written in English and translated into Turkish.
Nasrudin Hoja was a mullah (teacher) in Turkey. He was a busy man he worked in a vineyard, gave sermons at the mosque, and was sometimes even a judge. He did all of this with a nagging wife, a constant stream of uninvited visitors, and many animals. Although Hoja’s life wasn’t easy, his heart was always light and his observations about life held a witty twist. For instance, when his donkey got lost, his neighbors offered sympathy, but Hoja found the bright side: “Imagine if I were riding the donkey at the time. I’d be lost too!”Though the ten Hoja stories presented by Rina Singh and richly illustrated by Farida Zaman are funny, each one contains such insight into human nature that Sufi teachers use them to illustrate their teachings. Traditional Turkish Hoja stories are much-loved throughout Asia, and Nearly Nonsense brings them to a North American readership sure to enjoy them and, through laughter, to learn from them.
He is in a foreign country, he is alone, and he is just a boy...Abbas Kazerooni is not yet ten, but he’s suddenly forced to leave his parents, his friends―his entire world―and flee Tehran. The Iran-Iraq war is at its bloodiest, and the Ayatollahs who rule Iran have reduced the recruitment age for the army. If Abbas doesn’t escape, it’s almost certain that he will be drafted and die fighting for a regime that has stripped his family of all they have.
On his own in the strange, often frightening city of Istanbul, Abbas grows up fast―with little more than his wits to guide him. He must conquer difficult things: how to live on his own, how to navigate a foreign city and culture when he doesn’t speak the language, and, most importantly, how to judge who is a friend and who is an enemy. Facing the unexpected as well as the everyday challenges of life on his own, Abbas walks a tightrope of survival―yearning to please the demanding father he has left behind, yet relishing his new found independence.
Right away, Elena discovers how amazing Istanbul is! The Galata Tower, bazaar shopping, and meat roasting… There are exciting landmarks and delicious treats around every corner. If she gets confused, fact-checking guru Rosa is there to provide insight and guidance. You can’t find a better world-traveling team!
Next,look at some facts about Turkey.
GEOGRAPHY FACTS ABOUT TURKEY THE COUNTRY
- Turkey is located on two continents: Europe and Asia.
- The Bosporus Strait separates the European and Asian sides of the country.
- Turkey is surrounded by three seas- the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Turkey was once the center of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted over 600 years.
- The Ottoman Empire ruled parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Istanbul was formerly known as Byzantium and later Constantinople.
- The Hagia Sophia has been a church, a mosque, a museum, and again a mosque over its long history.
- Modern Turkey became a republic in 1923.
HISTORY AND CULTURAL FACTS ABOUT TURKEY
- In 1925, Turkey passed a law encouraging Western-style hats instead of fezzes. Today, fezzes are worn mostly for ceremonies, performances, or cultural demonstrations.
- Turkish people greet each other warmly, often with a handshake or cheek kiss among friends.
- Tea is the most popular drink and is served in small tulip-shaped glasses.
- Traditional Turkish meals are often shared family-style.
- Carpets and rugs are an important Turkish art form with regional designs.
- Turkish cuisine includes kebabs, rice dishes, breads, yogurt, and vegetables.
- Baklava is a famous dessert made with layers of pastry, nuts, and syrup.
- The official language is Turkish.
- Turkish uses the Latin alphabet, adopted in 1928.
- Islam is the most common religion in Turkey, but the country is officially secular.
- Turkey is one of the world’s top producers of hazelnuts.
- Ancient Troy is located in modern Turkey.
- The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets.
Then, look at these hands-on crafts to pair with the fun books mentioned above.
TURKEY THE COUNTRY HANDS-ON ACTIVITY IDEAS
- Encourage children to locate Turkey on a map, identify surrounding countries, and notice how geography influenced trade and culture.
- Turkish food exploration, try out my Cool Turkey Country Facts For Kids | How to Make Hummus.
- Listening to traditional Turkish music, The Best Turkish Folk Songs | Traditional Music .
- Studying famous landmarks such as Hagia Sophia or Cappadocia.
- Write a short reflection on how clothing shows cultural identity.
- Free Turkey Geography Country Report
And look at this information about what is a fez.
WHAT IS A FEZ HAT
A fez is a brimless, cylindrical hat, usually red, often topped with a black tassel. It gets its name from the city of Fez, Morocco, where the dye used to color the hats was once produced.
Although the fez originated in North Africa, it became strongly associated with Turkey during the Ottoman Empire.
In the 19th century, Sultan Mahmud II encouraged men in the Ottoman Empire to wear the fez as part of modernization efforts. For many years, the fez symbolized Ottoman identity, unity, and tradition.
In modern Turkey, fezzes are no longer worn in everyday life, but they remain an important cultural and historical symbol.
As children work on their fez, discuss how clothing and accessories can represent culture, religion, and history..
Finally, look at how to make this fez hat craft.
HOW TO CRAFT A FEZ HAT
You will need:
- Fabric measuring tape
- Scrap cardboard
- Red craft paint
- Black yarn or string
- Hot glue gun/sticks
Measure your child’s head with a sewing measuring tape.
Draw a rectangle on a piece of scrap cardboard 1” larger than the measurement you made of the head circumference and about 4” tall.
Cut the rectangle out.
Use a straight edge to cut lines halfway through the thickness of the cardboard every ½”.
Roll up the cardboard and glue it into place with hot glue, overlapping slightly.
Set the rolled hat form onto another piece of cardboard and trace the circle.
Cut that out and hot glue it to the top. Trim off any excess.
Press down until the glue has set.
Paint the entire thing red. You should give it two good coats.
While waiting for it to dry, you can make the tassel by wrapping yarn or string around your fingers 20-25 times.
Tie a length of the same string or yarn around one end of the loops, and cut the other end of the loops like this.
Wrap the string around 2-3 times just below the string you tied on to make a tassel.
Glue the end of the string into place on the center of the hat so the length hangs to the height of the end of the hat.
