I was born in Izmir and came to Istanbul when I was four. I completed my primary education at Kanarya Primary School, middle school at Kültür College, and high school at Robert College.I graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Boğaziçi University in 1979. Immediately after graduating, due to my interest in books, especially children's books, I worked as a children's publications editor at Redhouse Publishing between 1980 and 1991.In 1984, due to my interest in literature for children, I worked and conducted research at the International Youth Library (Internationale Jugendbibliothek) in Munich for three months through a scholarship.From 1986 to 1994, I wrote articles on children's literature in the magazines Çerçeve and Kitap published by Cumhuriyet Newspaper.During the same period, I published two magazines, one for children and the other for adults. The magazine "Kırmızıfare" was first published in 1990 and is the first literary magazine for children. The aim of this magazine was to familiarize children with written cultural products, promote reading and a love for literature, and emphasize the correct usage of the Turkish language. It gained recognition from academic circles and educators.The magazine "Binbir Kitap," which focused on research in the field of children's literature along with introducing quality children's books, could only publish its first three issues. This magazine was also a pioneer in its field.In 1988, I attended the International Children's Publications Symposium held in Munich. In 1995, I participated in the international IFLA conference with a presentation on children's books. I gave lectures in Albania, Germany, Austria, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom.In 1994, I was one of the founders of the Children and Youth Publications Association in Turkey, aimed at improving the quality of books for children, developing and expanding children's libraries. I served as its president for ten years and was in charge as president during 2018-2020.I have written 70 books for children and have been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA), the world's most prestigious award in children's literature, for the fourth time in 2019.I am married. I have a high level of English and a moderate level of German proficiency.