Alexandra Strick

Alexandra Strick is a British author, consultant, and campaigner dedicated to inclusion and representation in children’s literature. She has worked for many years in children’s publishing and literacy programmes, including managing national initiatives like the Bookstart scheme and working with charities to improve access to books for all young people. She is co‑founder of Inclusive Minds, a network focused on diversity in children’s books, and has worked on multiple projects to ensure that voices of children — especially those from underrepresented communities — are heard in literature.

Her picture book You Can! was created with substantial input from real children and young people, whose messages of encouragement, hope, and self‑belief shape the text. Illustrated by Steve Antony, the book follows fourteen characters from infancy to young adulthood, celebrating diversity, resilience, kindness, and the idea that every child can be themselves, pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact in the world.

Strick’s work is known for its inclusive, empowering tone and for bringing children’s own experiences and voices into published stories — making You Can! not just a book for children, but a book by children.