ALEXANDRA STRICK

PUTTING THE 'CHILDREN' INTO CHILDREN'S BOOKS


Hello - and thank you for dropping by. I'm Alex Strick, a children's book author, consultant and reviewer, with a particular passion for putting children's views and voices first.

 

Portrait shot of Alex outdoors. Alex is a middle aged woman with blond hair and a big smile, wearing a black top and patterned shrug, sitting outside with a pile of books

Children's books are magical

I think books have powers. As if bringing enjoyment isn't amazing enough, they can change attitudes, challenge preconceptions and improve lives.       Through the magic of books we can get better at understanding ourselves and others. 


Putting children in their place


I think children should be more than just end users of books. To me, they are THE most important part of the process. So my projects, workshops and books always start and end with children's own views. 


My work

I believe every child should have access to lots of books to explore and be able to make their own choices. My own books involve a unique process of extensive consultation to ask what children want to see or say. Read on to find out more!



Books by Alex Strick

Let's Play (Child's Play, 2025) 

The tactile one! Fun shapes and textures of everyday toys for every young child, plus key words in BSL and braille. In memory of Bookstart founder Wendy Cooling.


We Can! (Otter-Barry Books, 2024) 

The one in which real children were asked share their ideas on the kind of world they want to live in. Illustrated by the incredible Steve Antony. Longlisted for the brilliant Little Rebel Children's Book Award 2025.


You Can! (Otter-Barry Books, 2021 & PB 2025, USA Candlewick Press 2022, etc). The one in which children were asked to share their reassuring, inspiring and empowering messages. Illustrated by Steve Antony.

Co-author of Max the Champion (2013). The one in which a little boy is utterly obsessed with sport. Co-written with Steve Stockdale and illustrated by Ros Asquith.


I also work with Child's Play to create tactile books like Off to the Park, with help from sensory impaired young people to help make them accessible to all. 



A close-up of a small boy with dark hair holding a copy of WE CAN under his chin, slightly smiling

 Find out More...


Below you can find out more about my career and background, but far more interesting are the young contributors I worked with, so I'd urge you to take a look at the YOU CAN/WE CAN website, made by children themselves.

You can also find me on Instagram, BlueSky and Threads (strickalexandra) where I share more about my own books, author events and other book activity (interspersed with random photos of some of the people, books, music, nature, wild swimming spots and pets I love most).


Career


I have previously worked as Deputy Director of BookTrust (heading up Bookstart and Children's Literature). I still continue to review and consult for the fabulous BookTrust team today. 

Over the years I've also held positions working directly with children and managing national projects for children and Lottery-funded projects empowering young disabled people.  

I believe all children have the right to be able to access books, enjoy books and find themselves in books. So I have helped set up and run events and initiatives to support publishers in authentic inclusion. For example, inspired by two disabled teenagers, I was involved in starting a network of young people with lived experience - a unique way to enable them to connect with book creators and share their experience to ensure authentic representation (this is run by Inclusive Minds). I've also worked on projects to ensure children with different needs can access great books. I'm also co-founder of Outside In World, promoting, sharing and celebrating children's books in translation. 

I'm also very proud to be one of the facilitators of Reflecting Disability, the Arts Council funded study into representation of disabled people in children's literature. I work closely with my longterm friend and colleague Beth Cox to deliver the project, along with a talented team, steering group and advisory groups.

Key skills :  
  • Published Author - including picture books YOU CAN, WE CAN, LET'S PLAY and co-author of MAX THE CHAMPION.
  • Public Speaking (UK and international)
  • Project Management 
  • Not for Profit / Charity Sector experience
  • Disability & Inclusion (please note I do not work as an inclusion advisor/consultant myself).

I currently spend most of my time on Reflecting Disability, writing projects and of course consulting children. So I have very limited capacity for public speaking, events or media activity. But I will always prioritise author events with children! And I am happy to try to suggest other great training providers, editorial consultants and speakers.


Enough about me

But if not, free to read a bit more about some of my past projects and a couple of quotes from people with whom I have worked as a consultant/speaker.