Mahalle Sineması (Neighborhood Cinema) is a warm and heartfelt children’s book by Sevim Ak, one of the leading authors in Turkish children’s literature. The stories are told through the eyes of a little girl, conveying the joy of neighborhood life, the sincerity of human relationships, and the colorful world of children.
Subject
The book consists of ten stories, each with its own plot. The first story, “Neighborhood Cinema,” is about two children with no money in their pockets, but whose dream of going to the cinema comes true thanks to Kenan Amca, who has just moved into the neighborhood. In the following sections of the book, there are stories such as a shoemaker reunited with his grandchild after many years (The Shoemaker), a dreamer who wants to fly like a bird (King of the Birds Nikola), an aunt who is feared at first but later loved (Pink Aunt), and a comical story about a haircut from the children's perspective (New Fashion Hairdresser). Each story bridges the gap between neighborhood culture and the inner world of children with warmth.
Theme
Neighborhood Culture: All of the stories in the book are dominated by a warm, safe, and supportive neighborhood atmosphere.
Childhood and Imagination: Children’s dreams, shaped in their own worlds, are presented with a fairy-tale touch.
Friendship and Sharing: The sincere relationships that children establish among themselves and with adults are characterized by a sense of solidarity.
Family and Kinship Ties: The emotional aspects of relationships with family members such as aunts, grandfathers, and uncles are explored.
Hope and Kindness: A sense of kindness and hope lies at the heart of every story. The idea that even a small act of kindness or a little help can change the world is present.
Featured Stories
Neighborhood Cinema: Two young children want to go to the cinema, but they have no money in their pockets. Uncle Kenan, who has recently moved to the neighborhood, used to be a cinema owner in Adana. He invites the children to his house and shows them a movie. Thus, a small “neighborhood cinema” is established at home. The first film they watch is 101 Dalmatians.
Nikola, King of the Birds: Cem, who has just moved to the neighborhood, is different from the other children. He goes down to the seashore at dawn and dreams of flying like a bird. The girl who narrates the story is fascinated by Cem's uniqueness. One day, Cem meets the “King of Birds Nikola” he has imagined, but then faces the shattering of this dream.
The Shoemaker: A little girl in the neighborhood goes to an old shoemaker named Hasan Usta to find a patch for her torn pants. There, the shoemaker's grandson, whom he hasn't seen in years, unexpectedly appears. This encounter takes Hasan Usta on an emotional journey.
The Bicycle Postman: A little boy can't seem to get the letter he's been impatiently waiting for. The neighborhood's sweet postman tells a “white lie” to make the boy happy and leaves a fake letter. The boy believes it and experiences great joy.
The Man in the Blue Sweatsuit: There is a man who goes for a run every morning at the same time, wearing a blue sweatsuit. He invites the neighborhood to join him, but he is always alone. No one listens to his call. Still, he continues to try every morning without losing his kindness.
