Michael Martchenko

Born in Carcassonne, France, Michael moved to Canada when he was seven, where he graduated from the Ontario College of Art. His early interest in drawing became apparent when he began creating his own depictions of his favourite comic books. Mike's fame in high school, Glenview Park Secondary School, Cambridge, Ontario, was based on the realistic "flip page" comics that adorned every one of his school texts and workbooks.[1]

Martchenko and his wife, Patricia, live in Toronto's Leaside.[2]

Although Martchenko began his career as a commercial artist, he was later approached by Robert Munsch and Annick Press representatives to consider a career in children's book illustrating after they saw his work at a graphic arts exhibition.[3] His first Munsch book was 1980's The Paper Bag Princess after his six-year-old daughter read the story; he is now the go-to illustrator for Munsch books.[4]

In 1984, Martchenko began his artistic partnership with Allen Morgan, author of the "Matthew’s Midnight Adventure" series. It was not until 1990 that he first authored and illustrated his own book, Birdfeeder Banquet. His second self-authored and illustrated book, Ma, I’m a Farmer, was published in 2003.

Aside from his passion for illustrating children's books, Martchenko also has an interest in aviation and military art and history.[5]

• "AuthorViews video interview". Archived from the original on 2007-08-09.

• Michael Martchenko at Library of Congress Authorities, with 43 catalogue records