Selina Alko – illustratör

A girl's community joins hands to fight intolerance in this richly illustrated picture book that sings with hope for young readers.A Sydney Taylor Notable BookNational Jewish Book Award - Tracy and Larry Brown Family Award Winner Leila loves going to Hebrew school and hearing stories of mighty kings and quick-witted queens. Being Jewish is a part of her story, and learning Hebrew connects her to her ancestors. L'dor V'dor! From one generation to the next! But when Leila's synagogue gets vandalized, she isn't sure what she wants. Something that used to make her feel special now just makes her feel different.Then Leila's classmates and community come together to repair the synagogue. This compassionate gesture makes Leila realize that everyone around her is different—and that's a beautiful thing.Lyrical text and gorgeous, textured collage art by award-winning illustrator Selina Alko enhance this uplifting story about honoring a diverse community. Back matter provides a springboard for age-appropriate conversations about inclusion and bridge-building between cultures. Perfect for fans of All Are Welcome and The Proudest Blue.

A powerful story told through linked poems which raise questions of race and identity in an honest and tangible way for younger readers.How can Irene and Charles work together on their classroom poetry project? They don't know each other...and they're not sure they want to. Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is black, use this fictional setup to delve into different experiences of race in a relatable way, exploring such topics as hair, hobbies, and family dinners. Accompanied by artwork from acclaimed illustrators Sean Qualls and Selina Alko, this remarkable collaboration invites readers of all ages to join the dialogue by putting their own words to their experiences.

“Colors burst across each page, with layers of collage-work emphasizing the richness of Mitchell’s influences and imagination. Will speak to readers just starting their own exploration of artistic expression." —Booklist (starred review)Celebrate the captivating life of Joni Mitchell, the world-famous songbird who used her music to ignite and inspire an entire generation, in this stunning picture book biography from award-winning author and illustrator Selina Alko. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.Joni Mitchell painted with words.Sitting at her piano or strumming the guitar, she turned the words into songs.The songs were like brushstrokes on a canvas, saying things that were not only happy or sad but true.But before composing more than two hundred songs, Joni was a young girl from a town on the Canadian prairie, where she learned to love dancing, painting, birdsong, and piano. As she grew up into an artist, Joni took her strong feelings—feelings of love and frustration, and the turbulence that came with being a young woman—and wrote them into vivid songs.Brought to life by Selina Alko’s rainbow collages and lyrical language, this heartfelt portrait of a feminist and folk icon is perfect for parents, children, and music lovers everywhere.Back matter includes a letter from the author and Joni’s full discography.“An inspired and creative ode to the inimitable Joni Mitchell.”—Kirkus“Layered mixed-media collages featuring cut paper, foundimages, and colorful smears of paint effectively evoke the richly renderedemotional landscapes of Mitchell’s songwriting.” —Publishers Weekly

A stellar ensemble of picture book creators—all women—join together to celebrate a sampling of history’s young female revolutionaries. Inspired by the Womens March and the ongoing focus on women’s rights—here is the ideal introduction for the next generation of tenacious and determined rabble-rousers."Well-behaved women seldom make history." —Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Pulitzer Prize-winning historianFresh, accessible, and inspiring, Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist—to the next generation of activists, trail-blazers, and rabble-rousers. From the award-winning author of Ada’s Violin, Susan Hood, this is a poetic and visual picture book that celebrates persistent women throughout history. Among the powerful pairings: Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall takes on heroic World War II spies Eileen and Jacqueline Nearne; Selina Alko is matched with the brave Malala Yousafzai; New York Times bestselling illustrator Emily Winfield Martin is paired with the inventor of the controversial one-piece bathing suit, Annette Kellerman; and Shadra Strickland introduces America’s first known female firefighter, Molly Williams. While women make up over half of the U.S. population, they face discrimination, have less representation in government and other fields, and struggle every day for their human rights. It is more important now than ever to raise a generation of girls who, in the face of adversity, persevere. This book was written, illustrated, edited, and designed by women. Includes a foreword by a prominent female activist, an author’s note, a timeline, and additional resources. This book features: Selina Alko, Sophie Blackall, Lisa Brown, Hadley Hooper, Emily Winfield Martin, Oge Mora, Julie Morstad, Sara Palacios, LeUyen Pham, Erin Robinson, Isabel Roxas, Shadra Strickland, and Melissa Sweet.

“Each poem and illustration shines with a personality all its own.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review)“This book has definitely made an impact on my life.” —Kitt Shapiro, daughter of Eartha KittFresh, accessible, and inspiring, Shaking Things Up introduces fourteen revolutionary young women—each paired with a noteworthy female artist—to the next generation of activists, trailblazers, and rabble-rousers.From the award-winning author of Ada’s Violin and Lifeboat 12, Susan Hood, this is a poetic and visual celebration of persistent women throughout history.In this book of poems, you will find Mary Anning, who was just thirteen when she unearthed a prehistoric fossil. You’ll meet Ruby Bridges, the brave six-year-old who helped end segregation in the South. And Maya Lin, who at twenty-one won a competition to create a war memorial, and then had to appear before Congress to defend her right to create.And those are just a few of the young women included in this book. Readers will also hear about Molly Williams, Annette Kellerman, Nellie Bly, Pura Belpré, Frida Kahlo, Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne, Frances Moore Lappé, Mae Jemison, Angela Zhang, and Malala Yousafzai—all whose stories will enthrall and inspire. This poetry collection was written, illustrated, edited, and designed by women and includes an author’s note, a timeline, and additional resources.With artwork by award-winning and bestselling artists including Selina Alko, Sophie Blackall, Lisa Brown, Hadley Hooper, Emily Winfield Martin, Oge Mora, Julie Morstad, Sara Palacios, LeUyen Pham, Erin Robinson, Isabel Roxas, Shadra Strickland, and Melissa Sweet.A 2019 Bank Street Best Book of the Year Named to the 2019 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading ListSelected for CCBC Choices Book 2019Selected as a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2019Named to the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s 2018 list of Great Books for Kids2020-2021 South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee

Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass chat over tea about their efforts to win rights for women and African Americans.

Some people had rights, while others had none.Why shouldn't they have them, too?Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together for tea and conversation. They recount their similar stories fighting to win rights for women and African Americans. The premise of this particular exchange between the two is based on a statue in their hometown of Rochester, New York, which shows the two friends having tea.The text by award-winning writer Dean Robbins teaches about the fight for women's and African Americans' rights in an accessible, engaging manner for young children. Two Friends is beautifully illustrated by Selina Alko and Sean Qualls, the husband-and-wife team whose The Case for Loving received three starred reviews! Two Friends includes back matter with photos of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass.

Have you ever wondered why you are you? Or what it might feel like to be someone else? Someone taller, faster, smaller, smarter? Lighter, older, darker, bolder?

From an award-winning picture book team, Words of Welcome is the story of poet and advocate Emma Lazarus, who wrote the famous poem engraved on the Statue of Liberty, and how that statue became a symbol of hope, freedom, and opportunity“Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free . . .”Before her words were engraved on the bronze plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty, Emma Lazarus was a talented yet underappreciated poet. She was a staunch advocate for the oppressed, especially immigrants and New York City’s newly arrived Jewish community. Discrimination was rampant. Lazarus used her writing to fight for those being persecuted and eventually wrote her most famous poem of belonging, “The New Colossus” (1883), which welcomes immigrants to their new home in the United States. Every visitor to Ellis Island can still read her words today.Written by Emmy Award–winning journalist and two-time Sydney Taylor Honor–winning author Elisa Boxer and illustrated by Selina Alko, a National Jewish Book Award winner, and Sydney Taylor Honor winner, this powerful picture book biography is the story of Emma Lazarus and how she gave Lady Liberty a voice, allowing her to be a beacon of hope for all people.

Two poets, one white and one black, explore race and childhood in this must-have collection tailored to provoke thought and conversation. How can Irene and Charles work together on their fifth grade poetry project? They don''t know each other . . . and they''re not sure they want to. Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is Black, use this fictional setup to delve into different experiences of race in a relatable way, exploring such topics as hair, hobbies, and family dinners. Accompanied by artwork from acclaimed illustrators Sean Qualls and Selina Alko (of The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage), this remarkable collaboration invites readers of all ages to join the dialogue by putting their own words to their experiences.

Two poets, one white and one black, explore race and childhood in this must-have collection tailored to provoke thought and conversation. How can Irene and Charles work together on their fifth grade poetry project? They don''t know each other . . . and they''re not sure they want to. Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is Black, use this fictional setup to delve into different experiences of race in a relatable way, exploring such topics as hair, hobbies, and family dinners. Accompanied by artwork from acclaimed illustrators Sean Qualls and Selina Alko (of The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage), this remarkable collaboration invites readers of all ages to join the dialogue by putting their own words to their experiences.

"A not-to-be-missed, inspirational book about courage, heart, and the necessity of caring for others."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Stars of the Night recounts the powerful true story of the 669 children who traveled as part of the Czech Kindertransport from Prague to Britain on the eve of World War II, as Hitler''s campaign of hatred toward Jews and political dissidents took hold. Told from the collective perspective of the children, the narrative follows their journey as they leave everything they’ve ever known in hopes of staying safe. After the war ends, they return to Prague only to find that nearly all of their parents have been killed by the Nazis. And more than fifty years pass before they learn the identity of the British man who was instrumental in saving their lives—Nicholas Winton.Award-winning author Caren Stelson teams up with acclaimed illustrator Selina Alko to sensitively tell this tale of survival and defiance in the face of tyranny.

"A not-to-be-missed, inspirational book about courage, heart, and the necessity of caring for others."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Stars of the Night recounts the powerful true story of the 669 children who traveled as part of the Czech Kindertransport from Prague to Britain on the eve of World War II, as Hitler''s campaign of hatred toward Jews and political dissidents took hold. Told from the collective perspective of the children, the narrative follows their journey as they leave everything they’ve ever known in hopes of staying safe. After the war ends, they return to Prague only to find that nearly all of their parents have been killed by the Nazis. And more than fifty years pass before they learn the identity of the British man who was instrumental in saving their lives—Nicholas Winton.Award-winning author Caren Stelson teams up with acclaimed illustrator Selina Alko to sensitively tell this tale of survival and defiance in the face of tyranny.

A National Jewish Book Award winner, 2026A Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Picture Book TitleA Boston Authors Club Julia Ward Howe Notable BookA Bank Street College Best Book of the Year for 2026★ "Alko’s multimedia illustrations have the feel of a carefully compiled scrapbook, layering visual grace notes throughout this bittersweet narrative about a treasured ritual" – Publisher's Weekly, starred review★"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" – School Library Journal, starred review★ "A beautiful presentation of a custom that explores its many layers of meaning" – Booklist, starred reviewI was sad when Grandpa died. I think about how sad Mom was too.Mom says she misses Grandpa, but all her memories are like shining lights.Grandpa died last November. Now, one year later on the anniversary of his death, a boy and his family light a special candle. It’s not a birthday, Hanukkah, or Shabbat candle. It’s a yahrzeit candle in remembrance of him, and it will burn all night and all day tomorrow until sunset. But why does it burn for so long?The boy and his family spend the next night and day remembering Grandpa and sharing stories with each other. From his stylish hats, to piano duets, and apple squares for dessert, warm memories of Grandpa shine like stars with them while the yahrzeit candle burns – and continue to shine when it goes out.Features the Jewish memorial tradition of a yahrzeit candleDemonstrates how happy memories of our loved ones help us deal with griefEndnotes with more on the Jewish calendar and memorial traditions

A National Jewish Book Award winner, 2026A Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Picture Book TitleA Boston Authors Club Julia Ward Howe Notable BookA Bank Street College Best Book of the Year for 2026★ "Alko’s multimedia illustrations have the feel of a carefully compiled scrapbook, layering visual grace notes throughout this bittersweet narrative about a treasured ritual" – Publisher's Weekly, starred review★"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" – School Library Journal, starred review★ "A beautiful presentation of a custom that explores its many layers of meaning" – Booklist, starred reviewI was sad when Grandpa died. I think about how sad Mom was too.Mom says she misses Grandpa, but all her memories are like shining lights.Grandpa died last November. Now, one year later on the anniversary of his death, a boy and his family light a special candle. It’s not a birthday, Hanukkah, or Shabbat candle. It’s a yahrzeit candle in remembrance of him, and it will burn all night and all day tomorrow until sunset. But why does it burn for so long?The boy and his family spend the next night and day remembering Grandpa and sharing stories with each other. From his stylish hats, to piano duets, and apple squares for dessert, warm memories of Grandpa shine like stars with them while the yahrzeit candle burns – and continue to shine when it goes out.Features the Jewish memorial tradition of a yahrzeit candleDemonstrates how happy memories of our loved ones help us deal with griefEndnotes with more on the Jewish calendar and memorial traditions