Guest Interview – Selina Brown
Guest Interview: Author Selina_Brown
This week, we’re lucky enough to have an interview with the amazing Selina Brown. She is the author of a wonderful new children’s book called My Rice is Best, as well as Nena: the Green Juice. However, writing inspiring tales for children is only one of her achievements!
Hello Selina, and thank you so much for this interview!
Q: Here at Storytime, we believe that reading and stories can enrich young minds in many ways. Can you tell us about how you started on your reading journey and where it led you?
Absolutely – stories were everywhere in my childhood. I grew up in a joyful, culture-rich home with my Jamaican grandmother and British mother, both of whom filled my world with books, oral storytelling, and imagination.
My nan had this incredible way of telling stories that made everything feel larger than life. I was reading everything I could get my hands on from a young age – not just for fun, but to explore, dream, and connect with other worlds.
That early love for reading stayed with me and eventually led me to work in media, become an author, and found the Black British Book Festival – all to keep the power of storytelling alive and accessible.
Q: We’d like to ask about your new book: My Rice is Best! What inspired you to write it?
I wanted to write something that felt like a celebration – of family, food, and culture.
My Rice is Best! was inspired by the age-old debate between Caribbeans and Africans about who makes the best rice. It’s playful but full of pride – because in every family, there’s a dish that means something special.
I wanted to explore how rice shows up in so many homes around the world in unique, delicious ways. It’s a story about children championing their heritage and learning about others through food – and it’s full of warmth, flavour, and love.
Q: My Rice is Best! is about food and how different dishes are part of our family history and culture. What are your thoughts about how our favourite foods form part of our identity and how sharing meals can bring different people together?
Food is powerful – it holds our stories, our traditions, and our connections. Our favourite meals are often tied to moments: birthdays, Sunday dinners, family celebrations. When we share a dish, we’re inviting someone into our world.
For children, it can be a really empowering way to express pride in their culture, and also a fun way to learn about others. Whether it’s rice and peas, jollof, risotto or biryani – these dishes tell a story. And when we share them, we build bridges and celebrate differences in the most delicious way possible!
Q: My Rice is Best! is not your first book. Nena: the Green Juice also has a food theme! Can you tell us about it and its message?
Yes! Nena: the Green Juice is about a little girl who decides to make green juice all by herself for the very first time. It’s a playful, energetic story that takes young readers on a fun kitchen adventure as Nena chops, blends, and experiments with different fruits and vegetables. She’s determined to create something healthy and delicious – even if things get a little messy along the way!
At its heart, the book is about confidence, independence, and trying new things. It encourages children to explore healthy eating in a joyful and relatable way. I wanted to show how food and wellness can be fun and empowering – not something adults just hand to kids, but something they can get involved in too.
Q: How important do you think it is for kids to see themselves and their culture represented in stories? That is certainly one thing that we are trying to do in Storytime magazine, but what can be done to encourage more representation?
Representation is vital. When children see themselves in books, they feel validated – like their world, their family, their voice matters. It builds confidence, identity, and creativity. But it’s also important for every child to experience diverse stories – that’s how we raise inclusive, empathetic people.
We need to keep championing diverse authors, pushing for authentic stories, and making sure all children can access books that reflect the full spectrum of experiences.
Q: We have to mention the Black British Book Festival, which you founded. What motivated you to start it, and how has it grown and evolved since then?
The Black British Book Festival came from a desire to celebrate – loudly and proudly – the amazing talent in our community. I was seeing so many brilliant Black authors and creatives being overlooked or boxed in. I wanted to create a space where they could shine on their own terms.
Since launching in 2021, the festival has grown into a national movement, touring cities across the UK and welcoming thousands of people. It’s become a platform for joy, discovery, and connection – and we’re just getting started. Seeing children walk into a space where Black literature is celebrated front and centre? That’s the real magic.
Q: We also love the Croydon Black Book Community Library space! Are there plans to open more of them around the country?
Our space in Croydon has been so special. It’s more than a library – it’s a place where children can walk in and instantly see themselves in the pages of a book. The response has been incredible, and yes – we’re exploring ways to open more across the UK.
The goal is to build a network of joyful, culturally-rich community libraries where Black stories are celebrated and accessible to all. We want every child, no matter where they live, to have that same experience of seeing their world reflected in books.
Q: Finally! You are also a mentor for Writers on the Rise. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write boldly. Don’t shrink your voice or try to fit into a box – tell the story only you can tell. The industry is changing, and there’s room for fresh, original voices – especially ones that haven’t been heard enough.
Read widely, protect your creativity, and find a community that uplifts you. And most importantly, keep going. Every great writer was once an unpublished writer who just didn’t give up. Your words matter – the world is waiting for them.
