Coverage, reviews, awards, and recognition for my work. For interview requests and review copies, email info@bymagicmike.com.
"A cover with nothing but black text on solid red; inside, pages of intricate, gothic illustrations entirely in black and white; fancy words and a freewheeling rhyming scheme; and an impressively ugly main character who hates almost everything in the world. Yet kids loved the unconventional."
One year on from Krumpp's First Taste, a reflection on a year of touring Europe and North America, and on the surprising appetite young readers have for books that don't fit neatly into a genre.
Read on alumni.utoronto.ca →
"I think there is an idea of what a piece of children's literature should look and feel like. I'm interested in challenging those definitions in the pursuit of producing something that offers a slightly different experience."
Launch coverage for Krumpp's First Taste, my third book.
Read on utsc.utoronto.ca →
"The idea is about people who look at another person's success or gift as something to exploit, and what you can do as the person in the middle of that to protect yourself."
Launch coverage for The Very Unluckily Lucky Quaroo, my second book and first printed title. Sold at Chapters and Indigo locations across Canada.
Read on utsc.utoronto.ca →
"There's a quote from a book I love called A Room With A View by E.M. Forster: 'Life is a public performance on the violin, in which you must learn the instrument as you go along.' That captures perfectly how I feel."
A long-form interview during the Quaroo book tour, on a self-taught path, the writers who shaped the work, and what comes next.
Read on radandrawmagazine.ca →"Wow, just wow. Fantastic illustrations, witty and funny text. Like a fresher, younger, even more inventive version of Edward Gorey. Hope this becomes a classic for new generations of young'uns, and adults too."
"You can do no better than having the author read aloud a fantastically whimsical story. A delight for my students to experience the rhythm and flow of the poetic performance by Magic Mike."
"Wildly entertaining and fun, with delightfully colorful illustrations to match. I recommend the tale to readers aged 5 to 150 and more."
"The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning, my son wanted me to read every word he found in the details. The story explains so much more than what's in the text."
"I loved the style of the artwork in the book, darkly scintillating and offering some students who are drawn to such things a different choice. A perfect read with some tea and crumpet."
"Magic Mike certainly spun his magic in our grade ¾ classrooms. The children thoroughly enjoyed his presentation and were under his spell from start to finish. They knew they had just met someone influential."
Awarded for "creativity, commitment, and artistic excellence" in honour of the late Canadian poet Malca Litovitz. About the prize →
For The Very Unluckily Lucky Quaroo.
Three long-form features by Alexa Battler: 2018, 2023, and 2024.