The Turkish Section of IBBY was first founded in 1980 in Istanbul and re-established in 2005. Its members include writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, editors, librarians, teachers and university professors.

The Turkish National Section was responsible for the first children’s book fair in Turkey. In 2005 the National Section has formed special committees to choose the best Turkish children’s book and the best preschool book of the year; the awards will be given at the book fair. The National Section has regular monthly workshops for its members on different topics of children’s literature. The quarterly newsletter will be reinstated as soon as the reorganization of the Section is completed.

Members of IBBY Turkey visit schools for readings and they also present children’s literature conferences in schools and universities. The Section works together with the Society of Researchers of Children’s Literature to promote children’s books. A one-day conference on children’s literature in Turkey was held in France in collaboration with the Charles Perrault Institute. Members of Turkish IBBY have been attending IBBY congresses regularly since 1988.