R is for reading and that's exactly what we like to do in our little nest here in Brooklyn When the sun goes down and the streets become quiet-our bellies are full and we curl up ready to unwind, reading some of our favorite books. This Christmas "St. Nic"will be gifting Bebe Bird with a cool new read,
B is for Brooklyn by Selina Alko.
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting children's author and illustrator
Selina Alko at the Brooklyn Art Museums Book Fair (one of my favorite annual outings with Bebe Bird). Papa Bird and I picked up her incredible book for our alphabet loving boy,
B is for Brooklyn cleverly featuring all of our favorite Brooklyn haunts alphabetically. I also scooped up a signed copy for my niece who, like Bebe Bird is a Brooklynite and learning her alphabet..(hushhh now, it's a Christmas gift surprise).
Bebe Birds (BB): What is your inspiration in writing B is for Brooklyn
Selina Alko (SA): After illustrating the NY-centric books
My Subway Ride and
My Taxi Ride I wanted to make my own New York book, but a more personal reflection of my adopted home (I'm originally from Canada). I just love living in Brooklyn for so many reasons-I had a hunch that there was plenty of raw material in the things that I did everyday to make fun and relatable art into a book for everyone I know who loves Brooklyn too.
BB: What are some of your favorite places in Brooklyn that you were able to share in the book?
SA: To name just a few: the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island, Celebrate Brooklyn music festival in Prospect Park, the Transit Museum and my favorite cafe, Parco (where I did many of the sketches for the book) hidden in Park Slope.
BB: Ahh, Parco is one of our favorite coffee shops too. Was there anything edited from the book that you wish you could have kept?
SA: Many of the neighborhoods, so I put them all on a map in the beginning of the book.
BB: Were there any letters in the alphabet that you were stuck on when trying to find a Brooklyn spot to represent that letter?
SA: X and Q were the most challenging. My editor helped me come up with X is for X-ing bridges and Q is for the bQe, quirky solutions but still definitely Brooklyn.
BB: What are your children's reactions when you share the books you and your husband, Sean Qualls, write and illustrate?
SA: They seem to like the idea that it is our "job" to make books. Although, on the other hand, it is so second nature to them that sometimes its like "(yawn)...daddy made another book, oh cool, now can i play with wii?" Also, I'll just speak for myself-they think all of my books are literally about them, even when sometimes the idea might be based on our family, but created with new, invented characters. For example, in my latest book
Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama my 4 year old daughter keeps asking why Daddy Christmas isn't black (like her daddy) and why the little girl doesn't have a brother (like she does).
BB: Any word of advice for aspiring authors and illustrators? I remember you mentioned you started out as an illustrator and grew into a writer. What was your inspiration?
SA: Belong to
SCBWI (the Society of Children's Book Writers and illustrators), it's a great organization that holds workshops, conferences and lectures regularly. I am still a member, but when starting out I gleaned a lot of my info from others in the field, many of whom speak at these conferences, etc.. They put out a pretty informative newsletter and have a website;
www.scbwi.org. I grew into being a writer after illustrating several books and realizing I had my own ideas that might make good books too. When I finally got an agent she was the one who really encouraged me to take the next step. Now, I'm pleased to say that I'm writing and illustrating all of my own books full time.
BB: Any tips for working moms & dads trying to juggle their career and parenthood?
SA: Snatch those napping moments when they're really young to write or create (or do whatever it is you're passionate about), the cleaning and errands can wait. Also, try to get as much child care as possible. I call in a lot of favors from friends and try to arrange play date swaps, etc., in order to buy more time to get work done. I do believe that the more fulfilled I am creatively in my career then the better mother I can be to my children, even if it means time away from them. Ultimately, I believe it sets an example for them and teaches them independence (at least that's what I tell myself...)
BB: What was your favorite childhood book?
SA: Richard Scarry's
Best World Book Ever. So many fun and quirky details and so many objects. I remember getting absolutely lost in the pictures and reading it over and over and over again.
BB: What is the next project you're currently working on?
SA: I'm collaborating on 2 non-fiction picture books with my husband, illustrator
Sean Qualls;
Two Friends, about the friendship between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas, and
A Case for Loving about the Supreme Court case fight to legalize the interracial marriage between Mildred and Richard Loving in 1967.
Thank you so much Selina for the fun interview!
If you would like to learn more about Selina or learn more book-related news visit her at
www.selinaalko.com or follow her on twitter @selinaalko.
Click here to purchase
B is for Brooklyn. A wonderfully entertaining book for any bebe bird. Brooklynite or not!
