Move over, Alphabet City!
The Brooklyn Museum is hosting its eighth annual Children’s Book Fair on Nov. 15, where little lit fans will have the opportunity to attend readings with their favorite local writers. And on bill this year is Park Slope author and illustrator Selina Alko, whose book “B is for Brooklyn” is the best way for Kings County kids to learn their letters.
“Each letter in the book relates to things kids like and like to do in Brooklyn,” said Alko.
In Alko’s book, kids learn that B isn’t just for Brooklyn — it is also for Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Academy of Music, baseball, brownstones, and Brighton Beach. Further into the book, we find that G is for Gowanus and H is for hot dogs, according to Alko.
Alko illustrated each page of the book with the painted likeness of objects she has found throughout the borough, creating a collage-like motif to represent the mosaic of Kings County.
“I use mixed media and found objects like ticket stubs, maps, cross-word puzzles, and whatever I can find to give my work more dimension, depth, and excitement,” she said. “It creates dynamic paintings, like a collage about Brooklyn life.”
“B is for Brooklyn” is not the end of Alko’s children’s offerings, and many New York City kids will be familiar with her other works, including “My Subway Ride” and “My Taxi Ride.”
In fact, Alko says one of the most enjoyable aspects of attending fairs such as the one at Brooklyn Museum is meeting her fans and finding out what they like to read, she said.
“I love seeing their enthusiasm and their reactions, and which books they like the best,” said Alko.
And as far as kids book events go, the Children’s Book Fair — which will host more than 30 authors this year — is one of the best in town, according to Alko.
“I go to a lot of book fairs and Brooklyn Museum’s is one of the best,” she said. “You have people from all over Brooklyn, who come excited about reading and buying books. Plus, you can always check out the museum.”
The Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair at the Brooklyn Museum [200 Eastern Pkwy. between Washington and Flatbush avenues in Prospect Heights, (718) 638–5000, www.brooklynmuseum.org] Nov. 15, noon–4 pm. $16 suggested for adults, kids under 19 free.
