Press
The New York Times
march 8, 2026
The New York Times featured Selina Alko in an article about Judy Blume. The piece highlights Alko’s illustrated picture book Otherwise Known as Judy the Great, a poetic and visual tribute celebrating the life and influence of one of the most beloved authors of a generation.
People Magazine
march 4, 2026
During a March 1 event at Blume's Books & Books bookstore in Key West, Alko and Blume read the book together and chatted with kids who were clamoring to read it. Some little girls even showed off their cartwheels, after Blume confessed she never could do a perfect one.
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"She really is thrilled with the pictures, the art in my book. And she likes the fact that they're like, little mini chapters, and it's very scrapbook-like with anecdotes and stories," Alko says, of Blume's reaction to the book.
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"We were, like, totally reminiscing about all the things that we both loved to do when we were children," she adds, of the event. "And it was just this really magical moment."
"She really is thrilled with the pictures, the art in my book..." Alko says, of Blume's reaction to the book.
Photo by: TvS Media
Books & Books, Key West
march 1, 2026
Selina Alko joined Judy Blume at Blume’s bookstore, Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West, for a special event celebrating Otherwise Known as Judy the Great. The two authors read from the book together and spoke with young readers about Blume’s childhood, storytelling, and the inspiration behind the project.
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The outdoor event welcomed families and children who grew up with Blume’s books — as well as a new generation discovering her stories for the first time.
Photo by: TvS Media
← Photo by: Ashley Kamen
Photo by: TvS Media
Books of Wonder, NYC
February 21, 2026
Selina Alko joined fellow author-illustrators Nina Crews, Giselle Potter, and Veronica Mang for a panel celebrating picture book biographies at the renowned children’s bookstore Books of Wonder in Manhattan. The event highlighted new books inspired by real lives and historical figures, with Alko discussing Otherwise Known as Judy the Great, her poetic tribute to the childhood and imagination of beloved author Judy Blume. Alko also curated the bookstore’s featured front window installation celebrating the book.
Selina Alko’s handcrafted window installation at Books of Wonder, New York City.
Photo by: Catherine Lazure