awards & accolades
National Jewish Book Award (Sharing Shalom)
​
National Jewish Book Award Honor (Stars of the Night)
​
Society of Illustrators Silver Medal (I is for Immigrants)
​
Sydney Taylor Notable (Sharing Shalom)
​
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard (Otherwise Known as Judy the Great, The Remembering Candle, The Keeper of Stories, The Case for Loving, Two Friends)
​
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year (I is for Immigrants, Stars of the Night, The Case for Loving)
​
ALA Notable (Stars of the Night, Can I Touch Your Hair?)
​
New York Public Library Best Book for Kids (Stars of the Night)
​
Braw Amazing Bookshelf - Bologna Children's Book Festival (Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell)
​
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book (The Keeper of Stories)
​
NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book (Stars of the Night)
​
NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book (Sharing Shalom, I is for Immigrants, The Case for Loving)
​
Notable Books for a Global Society List (Stars of the Night)
​
Eureka! Gold Honoree (The Keeper of Stories)​
​
ILA-CBC Children's Choice List (The Case for Loving)
​
Canadian Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book (Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell)
​
​​Sybil Award Finalist (Can I Touch Your Hair?)
​
Charlotte Huck Honor (Can I Touch Your Hair?)
​
NAIBA Carla Cohen Free Speech Award (The Case for Loving)
​
NAPPA Award (The Case for Loving)
​
Capitol Choices Outstanding Title (I is for Immigrants)
​
Texas Bluebonnet Master list (Stars of the Night)
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show (Stars of the Night, I is for Immigrants, Why Am I Me?, Two Friends, The Case for Loving, Every-Day Dress-Up, My Taxi Ride, My Subway Ride)
​
American Illustration Book (The Keeper of Stories, Stars of the Night, Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell)
​
Communication Arts Award of Excellence (The Case for Loving)
​
A Mighty Girl Best Book (Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell)
​
Amelia Bloomer List (The Case for Loving, Two Friends)
​
Arkansas Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award Nominee (Stars of the Night)
Social Justice Literature Award Recommended Reading List (Stars of the Night)
​
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book (Stars of the Night)
select praise for selina's books​
2016 - Mills Tannenbaum Award
For Excellence in Children's Literacy
​
Given to Selina Alko for all of her work by Reach Out & Read of Greater New York
★ "Alko’s multimedia illustrations have the feel of a carefully compiled scrapbook, layering visual grace notes throughout."
– PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review
(The Remembering Candle)
​
★ "A beautifully illustrated book... " ​
– SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review
(I is for Immigrants)
​
"Alko’s colorful collages... engage with each line of text, making for a sensory experience."​
– SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
(Otherwise Known As Judy The Great)
​
★ "Colors burst across each page, with layers of collage-work emphasizing the richness of Mitchell’s influences and imagination."
– BOOKLIST starred review
(Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell)
​
"... (a) spirited rendition of Brooklyn."
– THE NEW YORK TIMES
(B is for Brooklyn)
​​​
★ "... lushly textured, jewel-toned collage"
– PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review
(Why Am I Me?)
★ "Alko adeptly streamlines the legal logistics of the Lovings’ groundbreaking Supreme Court case."​
– PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review
​
★ "Moving and uplifting"
– SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review
(Stars of the Night)
interviews
Coming to a Shelf Near You: Selina Alko on OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JUDY THE GREAT
Author/illustrator Selina Alko introduces her picture book biography of Judy Blume, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JUDY THE GREAT. Available in hardcover and audiobook.
Ready Set Draw! I IS FOR IMMIGRANTS
​
What do drums, guacamole, and Japanese gardens have in common? They are all gifts the United States received from immigrants. Join Selina Alko for Ready Set Draw! as she shows us how to use acrylic painting and collage to create The Statue of Liberty, based on her cover of "I IS FOR IMMIGRANTS."
videos
Stars Of The Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport
This powerful story is told from the collective perspective of the children who were rescued from Czechoslovakia on the eve of World War II, as Hitler's campaign of hatred toward Jews and political dissidents took hold. The narrative starts in 1938 and follows the children as they journey to foster families in England for the duration of the war, return to Prague afterward in an unsuccessful search for their parents, and eventually connect with Nicholas Winton, a British former stockbroker who was instrumental in bringing them to safety. Winton and the Czech Kindertransport ultimately rescued 669 children from Nazi persecution.