Christina Michalos

Christina Michalos – Designer

Αward-winning children's book illustrator and designer, specialising in the enchanting world of watercolour and mixed media.

Overview

Award-winning children's book illustrator who specialises in the enchanting world of watercolour and mixed media. In the past 12 years, I have collaborated with over 15 traditional publishing houses and over 50 self-published authors worldwide.

Notable collaborations include Barnes & Noble, Books That Heal, the American Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, Vice, the European Writers Union, and the National Book Centre of Greece.

The majority of books I have illustrated have achieved international retail distribution, including but not limited to Waterstones, Walmart, Foyles UK, Saxo Denmark, First Book Canada, and Strand Bookstores in Broadway, NY.

Are you looking for an illustrator who can help you every step of the way, from writing your first draft to seeing your book in bookshops?

Feel free to message me and let's begin!

EXPERIENCE

Experienced in children's books, stationery design for children, textile design for children's clothes, and board games.

Extensive experience in children's educational & medical books, fairytales, Christmas stories, workbooks, activity sheets, sticker books and board books.

Background in Special Education and Pedagogy in Neurodevelopmental and Sensory Disorders.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Experienced in equipping first-time authors with tools, knowledge and providing guidance as they take their first steps into the world of book publishing. Personalised step-by-step guides on building an audience, managing schedules, and landing book presentations.

AWARDS

• Featured by Reedsy twice as one of the 20 Best Book Covers of 2025

• Pan-European Design and Innovation Award by the European Commission Representation and the European Association of Teachers (AEDE)

• Best Illustrated Book National Award by Patakis Publications

• National Literature & Illustration Award by Kid's Fun Magazine, in collaboration with the National Book Centre of Greece (EKEBI)

Services
Non-Fiction
Calendars Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • Pan-European Design and Innovation Award – Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning, and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the European Commission Representation in Greece and the European Association of Teachers (AEDE), awarded through the 29th National and 56th Pan-European Competition for the European Day of Schools (EaS), 2009
  • Illustrated Book Distinction and Publication – Patakis Publications, awarded through the 7th Patakis Publishing Writing Competition, 2009
  • National Literature & Illustration Award – Kid's Fun Magazine, in collaboration with the National Book Centre of Greece (EKEBI), 2004
Certifications
  • BA in Early Childhood Education
  • BA in Applied Child Psychology 2024-2027
  • Official member of the Association of Illustrators (AOI)
  • Official member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2015 — Present
Over a decade of experience illustrating for both traditional publishing houses in Europe and self-publishing authors. Specialising in watercolour, mixed media, and digital techniques for storybooks and educational titles targeting ages 0–12. Expertise in cover design, typography, book formatting, book marketing & promotion. • Illustrated and designed multiple published titles, including projects featured on TV ("Healthcare Heroes ABCs" on YurView Virginia, US, "A Party for Everyone" by Marianna Kouneli, Sky Channel, Greece). • Collaborated with Books That Heal & the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, organisations that empower paediatric patients with life-threatening illnesses and help them become published authors. • Provided first-time authors with extensive guidance through their first steps into the world of self publishing. Designed promotional material (sticker sheets, merchandise, activity sheets, plushies) and digital marketing material (book mockups, social media posts, personalised self-publishing guides based on each client's target age group and book genre).

Memento Publications

Jun, 2025 — Aug, 2025 (2 months)
Illustration, typesetting, formatting, and production management for Memento Publications in Greece. Overseeing book layout, interior design, ISBN integration, and full production workflow for the book "A Party for All!"

Papadopoulos Publications (Greece)

Jun, 2025 — Jul, 2025 (about 2 months)
Illustration, typesetting, and layout design for educational workbooks for children aged 6-8.

Self-employed

Oct, 2021 — Dec, 2025 (about 4 years)
Creating watercolour seamless patterns for children’s products (clothing, diapers, notebooks, calendars) and licensing designs to companies and shops in the UK and France.

Lifo Press, Greece

Feb, 2019 — Aug, 2020 (over 1 year)
Led the creative development and production of artistic content from narrative development to scriptwriting, directing, and post-production editing.

Etsy

Apr, 2017 — Jun, 2024 (about 7 years)
Product development & e-commerce management for my shop. Designed a variety of stationery products, such as journal stickers, collectibles, calendars, personalised pet prints, enamel pins, Procreate brushes, and more. Market research, supplier coordination, production planning, inventory management, logistics, brand marketing.

Antivirus Magazine, Greece

May, 2012 — Aug, 2019 (over 7 years)
Directed the planning and execution of editorial initiatives by identifying strategic content opportunities, cultivating partnerships, and researching emerging topics and audience trends.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Cone and Skate

Nicolai, Amy

Amy Nicolai

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Made with Reedsy
The Boreg Meets the Bird

Ogulluk, Sofia Viana

Sofia Viana Ogulluk

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Made with Reedsy
Jackson loves to help!

Peppel, Alex

Peppel Press

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Home Run!: A Sports Book for Kids & Early Readers (Little Champs Books™)

Levy, Michael

Little Champs Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Made with Reedsy
One Hand on the Car

Cameron, Taylor

Taylor Cameron

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Henry's First Day

Simpson, Quinn

Northbridge & Co. Press

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
How Lucky Am I?

Spencer, Brittney

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Day My Brother Breathed Brave: Understanding CPAM: A story of family, courage, and tiny miracles

Blinman, Logan

Logan Blinman

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Noah's Rainbow Promise: Adventures at Rugged Cross Ranch

Lamont, Bobby

Independently published

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
The Adventures of Kaitlyn & AJ

Denoga, AJ

Chalfant Eckert Publishing

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
JamGuy Goes Hiking: Book 2 (JamGuy - A Go Explore Series)

Benedick, Matthew

BookBaby

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
JamGuy Goes Camping: Book 3 (JamGuy - A Go Explore Series)

Benedick, Matthew

BookBaby

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Dada-hood: Beautiful Chaos

Lazo Jr., Mr. Germie Bautista

Bondega

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
JamGuy and the Snowy Mountain Sports Day: Book 4 (JamGuy - A Go Explore Series)

Benedick, Matt

BookBaby

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Where's your bed, sleepyhead?

Ross, Stacey

Stacey Ross

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Healthcare Heroes ABCs: A Journey Through the Alphabet with Your Healthcare Hero Team

Booth, Courtney

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design

Christina has 14 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

EVANGELIA S.

EVANGELIA S.

Aug, 2025

Pinned
Working with Christina has been a truly wonderful experience. She handled the project with professionalism and delivered exactly what we had agreed, while the quality of her illustrations exceeded all my expectations. Her work is full of life and perfectly captures the spirit of the stories. The ...
Read more
Megan B.

Megan B.

Jun, 2026

Christina was so great to work with. She brought my visions to life perfectly and the illustrations were beautiful. She was great to communicate with and got the illustrations done in a very reasonable amount of time. I would 100% hire her again and recommend her to anyone!
Lisa U.

Lisa U.

Jun, 2026

It is amazing to work with Christina! Her illustrations are fantastic and the brilliant colors really catch the attention of young readers. Christina is not only incredibly creative but also punctual and responsive. I love working with Christina and will reach out to her, again!
Lisa U.

Lisa U.

May, 2026

Working with Christina was a joy! She intuitively understood my story and created illustrations that exceeded anything I imagined. The colors are bright, the characters are charming, and every page draws young readers in. Her work is truly outstanding.
Quinn S.

Quinn S.

Mar, 2026

Christina was absolutely wonderful to work with. Not only is she very talented, but she is extremely kind and was very helpful.

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Most recent contributions

What, in your opinion, is most important to remember when illustrating for children's books?

Always see the world through the child’s eyes. When I’m illustrating a children’s book, I try to align myself with that sense of exaggeration that kids feel so naturally. Is the main character feeling happy? Then everything around him is colourful and alive! Is he feeling anxious? Then maybe th...
Read more

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