Australian-Turkish illustrator helps children cope with disasters through pictures

Natural disasters can traumatise children. How can one explain to children what is happening all around them and help them cope with its after effects. This is exactly where illustrator Anıl Tortop comes in.

Illustrator Anıl Tortop has 20 published books in Australia. Source: Supplied

The illustrations of a book series published by the Queensland government was done by a member of Brisbane’s Turkish community. Anıl Tortop explains the aim of the series on disasters. “Birdie's Tree - Growing together through natural disasters” is a timely resource for children escaping from bushfires.

Tortop also told SBS Turkish the hardship she faced when she first arrived in Australia in 2011.