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. The four-book series that I illustrated, “The Courage Club”, written by Matt Bawler and published by Bloomsbury Publishing in 2026, was shortlisted for the Picture Book category at the Teach Early Years Awards.
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
Teach Early Years Best Picture Book Shortlist, Catch That Pesky Thought, United Kingdom, 2026
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
I Can’t Do It… Yet!, Matt Bawler, Bloomsbury Publishing, United Kingdom, 2026
We Love a Challenge!, Matt Bawler, Bloomsbury Publishing, United Kingdom, 2026
Mistakes are Great!, Matt Bawler, Bloomsbury Publishing, United Kingdom, 2026
Catch That Pesky Thought!, Matt Bawler, Bloomsbury Publishing, United Kingdom, 2026
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
I Spy With My Little Eye, London, United Kingdom, 2026
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
“The Courage Club Series” Shortlisted for “Best Picture Book”, Teach Early Years Awards, 2026
Gizem’s Illustrations Takeover Waterstones for “The Courage Club Series”, Putney Exchange, 2026
“I Spy With My Little Eye” Exhibition Announcement, AOI, 2026
Article about the Summer Workshops at Putney Exchange, London Post, 2025
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
Yee London Exhibitionin the news, Daily Sabah, 2023
In-Depth Interview about "Orman Olmak", Ajandakolik,2022
Spotlight Interview - Artistprofile, Edebiyat Haber,2021
National TV Appearance for "Kara Tina", NTV, 2021
"Kara Tina" reviewin a monthly magazine, Pegasus, 2021
"Kara Tina" review ina daily newspaper, Sözcü, 2020
Feature Interview - "Artist of the Month", JR by Campaign, 2018