Books changed my life, says Queen's first reading hero

Q: Who is Selina Brown and why was she named a National Reading Hero?

Selina Brown is the founder of the Black British Book Festival and a Birmingham-based author. She was named the UK's first National Reading Hero by Queen Camilla and received the inaugural Queen's Reading Room Medal for championing books, literature and reading in her community.

Q: What work has Selina Brown done to promote reading and black British authors?

Selina Brown has created the Reading for Smiles programme, opened two community libraries and placed books in unexpected places such as barbershops and takeaways. She also founded the Black British Book Festival, which has grown into Europe's largest celebration of black literature and supports hundreds of black British authors.

Selina Brown pored over books as a child, enthralled at the wonders leaping from the pages.

Now, as a mother of three and founder of the Black British Book Festival, she has been named the UK's first National Reading Hero by Queen Camilla, who gave her the inaugural Queen's Reading Room Medal.

"As a young black girl growing up in Britain, I found possibility in stories long before I saw it in the world around me," she told the BBC.

"Books changed my life before I ever changed anyone else's."

The author, who is based in Birmingham, founded the festival in 2021. It started out as a small grassroots event held at the Legacy Centre in Newtown, Birmingham.

The festival became so popular that it is now held at The Barbican in London and is recognised as Europe's largest celebration of black literature, reaching more than 100,000 people and supporting hundreds of black British authors.

The award was presented by the Queen at a reception in March, with the medal celebrating individuals in their communities who champion books and literature and who help others to make room for reading and storytelling.

Guests in attendance included the actress Sigourney Weaver and the poet and novelist Sir Ben Okri.

"It was dreamy to be in the King and Queen's living room," Brown said.

"Queen Camilla told me that she loves the work that I'm doing and was so happy to present me with the award.

"When I spoke to the King, I asked him if he'd been reading, and he said 'yes, when I get time'. Just to have those conversations was amazing."

Through her Reading for Smiles programme, Brown said she had brought inclusive stories into primary schools in areas with low literacy rates.

Teachers told her that children who once avoided reading now borrowed books weekly and wrote their own stories.

She has opened two community libraries and has a playful scheme, where she places books in unexpected spaces, from barbershops to takeaways - and plans to expand on this work.

"Black books aren't just for black people. They're for everybody, because the black British story shows the beauty that exists in the UK - and the range of diverse experiences - and everyone deserves to be heard," Brown said.

Her debut picture book My Rice Is Best was shortlisted for both the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the British Book Awards 2026.

The book explores the joy of food, friendship, cultural identity and heritage.

Brown has also joined forces with publishers Pan Macmillan to start publishing books by black authors.

"To know I've been acknowledged at this level brings me pure joy," Brown added.

"But this award is not just for me, it's for the people, the community, those who support the festival, and buy books. It's a collective effort.

"Black children need to see themselves represented in books and black authors, like all authors, need to be celebrated, and this medal means greater visibility."

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