In a colorful retelling of a Turkish folktale, the wise man Nasrettin Hoca is invited to a banquet at the home a rich friend. When Nasrettin shows up in a tatty, worn coat, the other guests give him the cold shoulder, until they discover that “He who wears heaven in his heart is always well dressed.” Glowing illustrations, like miniaturist paintings. (Picture book)

The fortified city of Troy, surrounded by high stone walls, was invincible, until crafty Odysseus built a great wooden horse. The Trojans brought the horse inside the city, not knowing that the horse was filled with Greek soldiers. Action packed retelling of The Iliad and excellent re-creation illustrations of the walled city and Trojan horse. (Picture book)

Heinrich Schliemann believed that Troy was a real city from ancient times and went about finding it. Not your usual archeologist, Schliemann ripped up the dirt at Hissarlik in Turkey, where he found buried treasure, lost cities, and the probable site of Homer’s Troy. (Illustrated chapter book)

81 A.D. Flavia, daughter of a Roman sea captain, and her three friends travel to Halicarnassus and Ephesus to track down a slave trader and stolen children. In Ephesus they meet a prophet of the new Christian religion and attend a festival at the great Temple of Artemis. Mystery adventure filled with info about ancient Turkey. (Chapter book)

12th century, Constantinople. Anna is a brilliant scholar, the daughter of the emperor, and heir to the throne. But when her father dies, Anna’s willful younger brother becomes the new emperor, and her life is in danger. Based on historical events, the Byzantine empire is vividly brought to life. (Chapter book)

Gripping novel of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. A shipwrecked English boy is brought to the court of Constantine XI, the last emperor of Byzantium. (Chapter book)

How a typical 16th century mosque in Turkey was built, from the foundations, to the walls of the prayer hall, and eight huge piers supporting a great dome, topped with a bronze crescent. The mosque complex also included a school for religious education, public kitchen, baths and fountains, a tomb, and minaret for call to prayer. (Picture book)

Julia, a sixteen year old girl, travels through the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century, from Istanbul to Damascus, Palmyra and Alexandretta. Julia is caught up in the waning days of the empire, with a revolt planned by the Young Turks and Arabs against the rule of the sultan. Good for older kids (Chapter book)

Turkey in pictures from A to Z – from Ataturk (first president of Turkey), to delicious food (maras ice cream, rose jam, simit snacks), games, sports, school, to Zurna, a musical instrument. (Picture book)

For older kids: Turkey