Review of Fatih Tuncay's Children's Novel 'Foks the Dog Witnessing History'

Authored by Fatih Tuncay, the children's novel 'Foks the Dog Witnessing History' recounts the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's dog, Foks, through the eyes of children. Blending historical facts with imagination, the story follows Foks, whose path crosses with Mustafa Kemal while living alongside the photographer Hasan Efendi in Yalova.

Fatih Tuncay's children's novel 'Foks the Dog Witnessing History' focuses on the experiences of Foks, a dog who held an important place in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's life. Instead of introducing the reader directly to Mustafa Kemal, the author first takes them into the world of a small dog. Foks's pursuits of butterflies, arguments with squirrels, and attempts to understand his surroundings make the beginning of the story endearing. After living alongside photographer Hasan Efendi in Yalova, Foks's life changes once his path crosses with Mustafa Kemal.

While Mustafa Kemal's love for animals is well-known, Foks stands out as one of the dogs he kept by his side during train journeys, steamboat trips, and excursions. Without setting aside major historical events, the novel focuses on the lesser-known aspects of a man who lived through those times. The evaluation notes that this approach may spark new questions among children regarding Atatürk's daily life and love for animals, while also enabling them to recognize the distinction between real life and fiction. The book draws attention with its plain language, dialogue-heavy narrative, and included photographs.