A Little About Me
Children's Book Author • Illustrator • Character Creator
ABOUT | Michael Ivery
Hello! I’m Michael Ivery—an Arizona-based creative who has spent what feels like a lifetime exploring the arts, from spinning records to sketching characters and creating fun stories. After 20+ years as an award-winning DJ and event producer, I traded the DJ booth for a drawing desk, channeling my passion for music, art, and community into something new: the world of children’s media..
Inspired by my kiddos, I began writing and illustrating stories, giving life to Tubba and Friends—a children’s brand dedicated to sparking wonder, imagination, and joy. As a devoted father, my mission is simple: to create meaningful moments through art and storytelling that bring families together and inspire kids to dream big.
My journey is shaped by the things I love most: timeless cartoons like Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, the educational magic and imagination of Sesame Street, and the many creative cultures that continue to inspire through music and design. Whether it’s creating ideas for a book, sketching a new character, or building a world around me, I strive to celebrate creativity and the little joys in life.
Recent highlights I’m proud of:
•2024 - Nominated: Best of Phoenix: Children's Book Author (Phoenix Magazine)
•2024 - Joined: Children's Media Association
•2025 - Mentee: Accepted to 6th Annual Children's Media Association Mentor Program
DJ | My Music Journey
Before diving into children’s media, I spent over two decades immersed in the culturally rich world of music. Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, my journey as a DJ began in 2000, blending my love for jazz, funk, soul, and world beats into a sound all my own. As a musician’s DJ, I drew inspiration from global rhythms—from Africa, Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Europe, and the Middle East—creating a style that resonated far beyond nightclub walls.Over 24 incredible years, I shared stages with legendary artists, performed for crowds of over 100,000, and released five top-10 albums celebrated by radio stations worldwide. Along the way, I founded the award-winning Afro:Baile events and record label, which brought cultures together through the power of music, dance, and art.
Some highlights I’m proud of:
•15x Nominated/Award-Winning DJ
•5 Top 10 Album Releases (featured on 20+ radio stations worldwide)
•20+ Magazine Features (Canada, Brazil, Germany, UK, USA)
•2x Award-Winning Festival Producer (Brazilian Day- 10yrs, Carnaval- 8yrs)
•Clients: Super Bowl XLIX, Fiesta Bowl, Nike, PlayStation, Sony, MLB, NBA, Phoenix Art Museum, Godaddy, X-Games, Scottsdale Arts, Brazilian Film Fest - Toronto.
