This week, we\u2019re lucky enough to have an interview with the amazing Selina Brown<\/a>. She is the author of a wonderful new children\u2019s book called My Rice is Best<\/em>, as well as Nena: the Green Juice<\/em>. However, writing inspiring tales for children is only one of her achievements!<\/p>\n Hello Selina, and thank you so much for this interview!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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?<\/strong><\/p>\n Absolutely \u2013 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 not just for fun, but to explore, dream, and connect with other worlds.<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 all to keep the power of storytelling alive and accessible.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I wanted to write something that felt like a celebration \u2013 of family, food, and culture.<\/p>\n My Rice is Best!<\/a> was inspired by the age-old debate between Caribbeans and Africans about who makes the best rice. It\u2019s playful but full of pride \u2013 because in every family, there\u2019s a dish that means something special.<\/p>\n I wanted to explore how rice shows up in so many homes around the world in unique, delicious ways. It\u2019s a story about children championing their heritage and learning about others through food \u2013 and it\u2019s full of warmth, flavour, and love.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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?<\/strong><\/p>\n Food is powerful \u2013 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\u2019re inviting someone into our world.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s rice and peas, jollof, risotto or biryani \u2013 these dishes tell a story. And when we share them, we build bridges and celebrate differences in the most delicious way possible!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Q: My Rice is Best!<\/em> is not your first book. Nena: the Green Juice<\/em> also has a food theme! Can you tell us about it and its message?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes! Nena: the Green Juice<\/a> is about a little girl who decides to make green juice all by herself for the very first time. It\u2019s 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\u2019s determined to create something healthy and delicious \u2013 even if things get a little messy along the way!<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 not something adults just hand to kids, but something they can get involved in too.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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<\/em> magazine, but what can be done to encourage more representation?<\/strong><\/p>\n Representation is vital. When children see themselves in books, they feel validated \u2013 like their world, their family, their voice matters. It builds confidence, identity, and creativity. But it\u2019s also important for every child to experience diverse stories \u2013 that\u2019s how we raise inclusive, empathetic people.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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?<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.storytimemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Blog-Banner_Insert-1-ST128_Blog-Banner.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGuest Interview: Author Selina_Brown<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Q: We\u2019d like to ask about your new book: My Rice is Best! What inspired you to write it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n