Imagine opening your eyes to the world right in the middle of a war, where the only certainty is the daily struggle for survival. On April 23, 1920, outside the packed Grand National Assembly building, a young sherbet seller stands quietly behind his modest stall. As the nation reels from exhaustion and grinding poverty, how does a child navigate a world where all hope seems to have faded away?

In The Republic’s First Light, beloved children's author Şermin Yaşar transports readers to the harrowing yet triumphant years of the Turkish War of Independence, experienced entirely through the innocent perspective of a young boy. Accompanied by the delicate illustrations of Gökçe Akgül, this moving historical tale captures the grueling days of military mobilization, profound societal shifts, and the gradual blossoming of hope under the unwavering leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Masterfully blending captivating, age-appropriate storytelling with accurate historical context provided by the eminent historian İlber Ortaylı, this unique collaboration is a masterpiece of children's literature. It invites young readers and adults alike to witness the collective struggles of a nation, the long-anticipated victory, and the joyous dawn of the Republic's very first morning.