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reviews/press 

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The Remembering Candle

"A beautiful presentation of a custom that explores its many layers of meaning" * STAR -- Booklist

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"This is a first purchase not only because of its high quality, but also because of the scarcity of children’s books about the Jewish memorial custom of yahrzeit" * STAR -- School Library Journal

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"Alko’s multimedia illustrations have the feel of a carefully compiled scrapbook, layering visual grace notes throughout this bittersweet narrative about a treasured ritual" * STAR -- Publisher's Weekly

 

The Keeper of Stories

"A stirring testament to the power of books to unite us all for good" * STAR -- Kirkus

"Lyrical text with prayer-like refrains joins impressionistic collage and multimedia images" * STAR -- Publisher's Weekly

"Poignant and uplifting true story of community" * STAR -- Booklist

 

 

Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport

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"A not-to-be-missed, inspirational book about courage, heart, and the necessity of caring for others." 

* STAR -- Kirkus

"Quiet but immediate" * STAR -- Horn Book

"Moving and uplifting" * STAR -- School Library Journal

 

I is for IMMIGRANTS

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"By including both the tangible and the intangible, Alko reinforces the idea that the U.S. is more than just a

 

conglomeration of cultures; it’s a quilt of shared values." * STAR -- Kirkus

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"A beautifully illustrated book that uses the alphabet to weave together different cultural elements of society." 

* STAR -- School Library Journal

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JONI: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell

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“Colors burst across each page, with layers of collage-work emphasizing the richness of Mitchell’s influences and

 

imagination." * STAR -- Booklist

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"An inspired and creative ode to the inimitable Joni Mitchell." -- Kirkus

 

"Layered mixed-media collages featuring cut paper, found images, and colorful smears of paint effectively evoke the richly rendered emotional landscapes of Mitchell’s songwriting." -- Publisher's Weekly

 

Why Am I Me? 

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"A mindful, captivating ode to wonder and a must for any story–– or bedtime repertoire." * STAR -- Kirkus

 

"... lushly textured, jewel-toned collage" * STAR -- Publisher's Weekly

 

"Perfect for the classroom or one-on-one sharing." * STAR -- School Library Journal

 

"...welcoming, hopeful pages." * STAR -- Shelf Awareness

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The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage

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"Alko adeptly streamlines the legal logistics of the Lovings’ groundbreaking Supreme Court case."

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* STAR -- Publisher's Weekly

 

"Inspirational, never heavy-handed, and appropriate for just about everyone." * STAR -- Booklist

 

"... the language and images deal a blow to racist thinking and just might inspire the next generation of young

 

civil rights activists." * STAR -- Kirkus

 

"The Case for Loving' is an engaging and important story." -- The New York Times

 

B is for Brooklyn

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" Alko (is) among the most visually eloquent promoters of junior-sized urbanism."

 

* STAR -- Publisher's Weekly

 

"A charming alphabet book extolling the neighborhood's virtues." -- The New York Times

The Remembering Candle

Junior Library Guild Selection

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The Keeper of Stories

2025 Eureka! Gold Honoree

Junior Library Guild Selection

PW Best Books of 2025 

2025 American Illustration 44

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Sharing Shalom

National Jewish Book Award

Sydney Taylor Notable

2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

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Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport

National Jewish Book Award Finalist

2024 Social Justice Literature Award Recommended Reading List

ALA Notable Children's Book 2023

2023 Bank Street BookBest Children's Book

New York Public Library Best Books for Kids

Notable Books for a Global Society List Selection

2023 Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Books of the Year

Orbis Pictus Recommended Book 2023

School Library Journal Best Book 2023

Texas Bluebonnet Masterlist

American Illustration 42

Original Art Show 2023

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I is for IMMIGRANTS

SILVER Medal, Society of Illustrators (Book Category), 2022

American Illustration 41

2022 Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year

2022 Capitol Choices Outstanding Titles List

2022 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People

Original Art Show 2021

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Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell

The BRAW amazing Bookshelf, Bologna Children's Book Fair

2020 Best Books for Kids & Teens, The Canadian Children's Book Center

A 2020 Mighty Girl's Best Book of the Year

American Illustration 40

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Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship

Sybil Award finalist, 2019

Charlotte Huck Honor, 2019

ALA Notable Children's Book 2019

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The Case For Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage

2016 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 

NAIBA Carla Cohen Free Speech Award 2015 

NAPPA 2015 Award 

Junior Library Guild Selection

Communication Arts 2015 Award of Excellence 

Original Art Show 2015 

2016 Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year

2016 ILA-CBC Children's Choice List 

2016 Amelia Bloomer List

 

Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass

2017 Amelia Bloomer List

Original Art Show 2016

 

2016 Mills Tannenbaum Award for Excellence in Children's Literacy

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B is for Brooklyn DOE 365 Literacy Campaign poster

(recommended Pre-K classroom book for 2015-16)​

© 2015 Selina Alko

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