Michele T.

Michele T. – Designer

Experienced, creative, book designer specializing in children's picture books, board books and chapter books. Let's have fun!

Overview

Hello! I am a seasoned children's book designer/art director, and illustrator living in Wilton Connecticut, USA.

I have been fortunate to work in New York City with publishers like Harper Collins, Hyperion, Disney and Scholastic. I currently work with boutique publishers and self publishing authors like you. I have 20+ years of experience designing picture books, board books, and early readers, as well as middle grade chapter books, young adult novels, and book series collections.

What you can expect when working with me:

+ Creativity, technical skill, an eye for color and composition, and a passion for book design

+ Professionalism, friendliness, patience, and clear communication

+ Ability to balance marketability with author's vision

+ Detail-oriented, versatile, collaborative, and knowledgeable

Let's make your book jump off the shelf (or screen) to prospective readers. I would love to work with you on your next project!

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Classics Contemporary Fiction Cultural & Ethnic Middle Grade Picture Books Young Adult
Languages
English
Awards
  • 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Award winner for Illustration

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 1998 — Present
Freelance design work with Harper Collins, Hyperion, Disney, and Scholastic, as well as boutique publishers and self-publishing authors. At each publishing house, worked collaboratively with the Children’s Book division Art Directors, Editors and Senior Design staff. Designed the popular "Thomas and Friends" flip book series of 22 books for Scholastic. Featured in Best Book Cover Art Gallery on Reedsy for Children's Books. Develop branding, logos, and series identifiers for book series projects and boutique publishing companies. Design brochures, marketing materials, social media posts, publicity banners, posters and flyers for non profit organizations, clients and businesses. Award-winning illustrator

Harper Collins Publishers

May, 1997 — Oct, 1998 (over 1 year)
Hired as a full time designer immediately upon completion of Harper Collins internship in their children's book division. Responsible for design, illustrator direction, and follow through to published books of large seasonal list including the popular “I Can Read” series, "Harper Trophy" chapter books, picture books, board books, and YA novels. Recognized for excellent design in Harper Collins children's book reviews. Designed "The Princess Tales" series of 6 story books for Newberry Honor Book author, Gail Carson Levine. Collaborated with well known illustrators like Steven Kellogg, Dan Yaccarino, and Caldecott Award Winner, Emily Arnold McCully on picture book projects. Worked closely with Senior Art Director and collaborated with all members of the publishing team from concept to bound book. While working at Harper Collins, was recruited by Hyperion and Disney as a freelance book designer, which resulted in an exit from Harper Collins to pursue freelance options.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Ronnie’s Pool

Fink, Lindsay Ann

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Pop ABC Board Book: A Popular Music Alphabet (Music Legends and Learning for Kids)

Darling, Benjamin

Laughing Elephant

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Would YOU LIKE to see Something BIGGER?

Bruce Junvik

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Girl's Guide to Dinosaurs

Julie McGann

Have you ever wondered how little dinosaurs played with their friends long ago? The Camarasaurus was the only plant eating dinosaur who chewed her food before swallowing. I wonder if she liked... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Trashy Town

Andrea Zimmerman

Meet Mr. Gilly. He cleans up Trashy Town. There’s trash at the pizza parlor, trash at the school, and trash at every house. It’s a big job, but Mr. Gilly does it with a big truck, a big smile,... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
The Baby Beebee Bird

Massie, Diane Redfield

HarperCollins

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Tonight, Tonight is Halloween

Lyons, Peter A

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches (I Can Read!)

Alice Low

A little witch finds a way to out-witch her two bossy sisters
Cover Design Typography
Made with Reedsy
Grandma's Button Box

Julius, Arline Kahn

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa

Beverley Naidoo

Escaping from his violent stepfather, twelve-year-old Sipho heads for Johannesburg, where he has heard that gangs of children live on the streets. Surviving hunger and bitter-cold winter night... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
The Princess Test (Princess Tales)

Gail Carson Levine

Gail Carson Levine charmed the world with Ella Enchanted, her spirited retelling of the Cinderella story. Now this award-winning author turns her attention to two more classic fairy tales, and... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
The Flower Girl

Laura Godwin

A flower girl describes the people and activities at a wedding and its aftermath.
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
The Persian Cinderella

Shirley Climo

"A luminescent interpretation. Meticulously researched illustrations faithfully depict the ornate beauty of an ancient land" (Kirkus Reviews).In this jewel-like version of a classic story, pop... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World's Weather

Marilyn Singer

On the same day in March...Polar bears ride on Artic ice.People in French cafes turn up their faces to the sun. Hailstones roll over Indian hillsides. Rain makes a river in Kenya.On the same d... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
[ The Seven Treasure Hunts (Trophy Chapter Books (Paperback)) By Byars, Betsy Cromer ( Author ) Paperback 1992 ]

Betsy Cromer Byars

[ The Seven Treasure Hunts Byars, Betsy Cromer ( Author ) ] { Paperback } 1992
Cover Design Typography

Michele has 14 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Zatha A.

Zatha A.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
10 Stars — Exceptional Designer and Creative Partner Working with Michele on "Do You Remember Your Wonderful Day?" was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. She designed both the cover and interior of my children’s book, which required major design work from initial draft to final. She comp...
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Michele T.
Thank you for your kind words Zatha. I’m so pleased that you are happy with the design of your book. You were wonderful to work with and I look forward to the launch! I would love to collaborate wi...
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Karen D.

Karen D.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
If you are looking for someone who is incredibly knowledgeable and will do their very best to help bring your project to completion, Michele is your person! She will go the extra mile to ensure that the finished product is visually appealing and top quality. I am thrilled with how my first childr...
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Bruce J.

Bruce J.

Aug, 2021

Pinned
Michele possesses a seemingly magical ability to take images and a manuscript and transform them into a professional product; in this case, a non-fiction children’s picture book. Her years of experience have provided her with a keen eye for what grabs the attention of a book browser–from fresh co...
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Faatima B.

Faatima B.

Dec, 2025

If here we are mostly writers, then why shall we not praise the designer’s greatest skill with our appreciation; in our most practised art. Why not. Why not. What an amazing first journey, ten out of ten Aforementioned merits I can confirm A thousand thanks again and again So, what is a writ...
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Peter G.

Peter G.

Dec, 2025

I had a wonderful experience with Michele - She was very responsive to any requested changes, her book design an layouts were perfect for our project and she was delightful to work with. I highly recommend Michele for her talent and professionalism!! Tahoe Tugsy was in great hands through the e...
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