The Slope Survey returns for its 16th installment with local author and artist Selina Alko.
It is no wonder that award-winning writer-illustrator Selina Alko now spends her days melding words and mixed-media art to convey stories of hope and inspiration—as well as an alternative viewpoint. Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia with a Turkish father who spoke seven languages and taught painting, and a mother who worked in the family’s century-old metal recycling business, she was surrounded by the melody of words and stories from different places. Selina’s picture books include The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, B is for Brooklyn, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, and most recently Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell, which Kirkus called, “An inspired and creative ode to the inimitable Joni Mitchell.” Selina lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with her multiracial family.
What brought you to Park Slope?
Before Park Slope, I was living & working in a tiny studio apartment in the East Village. It was the year 2000 when I realized most of my friends were living in Park Slope, and since I was craving more living space and thinking about investing in an apartment, the time to move seemed right.
What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?
I have several memorable moments that all seem to involve coffee shops. I wrote my first picture book, I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother and then another, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, in Blue Sky Bakery while my son (who is now a teenager!) was napping in the stroller. I became friendly with the owners and for a while, we traded muffins for books. When I moved to the South Slope, I conceptualized and sketched out B is for Brooklyn in Parco. I was devasted when the owner (Alex Pozzan) died. I really miss that place.
Describe your community superpower.
I think I am good at bringing people together around books and art. I feel at my best when I’m involved in a lot of different groups and projects-– although, I must admit I probably have my hands in too many right now! Being a member of the Pen & Ink Brigade (women artists working for progressive change) feeds my soul. We have been bringing artists together with members of our community through targeted art-shows, raising thousands of dollars for Emily’s List and FairFight Action. In terms of children and families, my involvement with the Brooklyn Public Library takes me into local schools where I get to meet and interact with our borough’s youngest readers. Also, I contributed to the large scale mural project in the Youth Wing of the Grand Army Plaza Branch (along with six other children’s book creators). And up until recently, I chaired the PS10 Author’s Committee which organized several community-wide book events with award-winning kid-lit authors.
If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
Lower the rents for small businesses.
What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?
I hope more diverse! The schools are integrating better now with the district 15 diversity initiative. My daughter goes to MS88 and I am seeing real changes in the local schools already.
What are you reading, would you recommend it?
I am reading Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino. It is helping me understand my relationship with social media and the dislocation of spending too much time online. She writes about the performative-self in a way that’s helping me understand the uncomfortable feelings I’ve been having around self-promoting lately. If you’re someone struggling to make sense of the pull of social media and the overwhelm of technology in this era that seems to demand constant engagement then, yes, I would recommend reading it.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying coffee out (even after having a few cups at home) and ordering take-out more than I should. I have shame and guilt around not investing more time in meal planning and not really enjoying cooking. I feel bad for my teenagers who crave fancy meals. My new mantra should be: I make books, not cakes, and I’m okay with that.
If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?
You know, I really love this neighborhood. I am originally from Vancouver, Canada, and people often ask me why I don’t move back. Vancouver is beautiful, yes. Canadian health care system is more humane, yes. But Brooklyn is filled with writers, artists, and politically-minded people engaged in the world in ways that I find essential to my being. Of course, there are other enclaves with like-minded folks, Portland and Philly come to mind… but, I have made my home here in Park Slope, and I think I’m in it for the long haul.
Who is your hero, real or fictional?
Joni Mitchell. I recently wrote and illustrated a picture-book biography about the Canadian singer-songwriter. She has been my muse for the past 5 years or so. Did you know that she overcame polio as a child? Her grit and determination to get better helped carry her through many tumultuous years as an aspiring artist and musician. She wrote brilliant poetry into songs that shaped a generation. It feels very grounding to listen to her honest and truthful music – especially in this age of misinformation. My 15-year-old son can’t understand my fascination with her music, but I like to think someday he will really listen to her lyrics. Then, he will understand.
Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?
I am loving Brandi Carlile’s genre-defying music. Her live concert of Joni’s album Blue was crazy wonderful. Also, I can hardly keep up with the explosion of graphic novels being published. Maybe it’s because I’m an illustrator that the multi-sensory reading experience is so fulfilling to me. The two books I’ve loved lately are, Good Talk by Mira Jacob–– about race and colorism, and Belonging by Nora Krug–– an investigation of the German author’s family’s involvement in World War II. Both are profound books worth reading, ideally while listening to Brandi Carlile and/or Joni Mitchell.
