Selina Alko

It's no wonder that award winning writer and illustrator Selina Alko spends her days blending words with mixed media art to tell stories of hope, identity, and alternative perspectives. Raised in Vancouver, Canada Selina grew up immersed in culture and creativity.  Her Turkish Jewish father-–a painter and businessman who spoke seven languages–– and her Jewish mother who worked in the family’s century-old metal recycling company, filled her world with rich stories, diverse viewpoints, and an appreciation for both art and resilience.

As a child, Selina devoured stories by Richard Scarry, Beverly Cleary, and her all-time favorite Judy Blume, while summers at a Jewish sleep away camp in British Columbia sparked her passion for folk music, mural painting and her social activist spirit.

The creative influences of her childhood--infused with culture, music, and empathy––continue to inform Selina's over 25 acclaimed children's books. Her stories have been translated into Spanish and German and have been covered in The New York Times, NPR, People and TimeOutKids New York. Selina is a National Jewish Book Award winner and several of her titles have been garnered with Junior Library Guild Gold selection and have been named Bank Street Best Books of the year. Selina is also the recipient of a Mills Tannenbaum Award for Excellence in Children's Literacy.

Selina at Virigina's Supreme Court 2016