Michele Tupper

Michele Tupper – Designer

I am an experienced children's book designer working in the New York Metro area with excellent design, composition, and typography skills.

Overview

With years of experience designing covers, interiors, and typography for top publishers like HarperCollins, Hyperion, Disney, and Scholastic, I understand how to craft books that are visually compelling and beautifully readable. At HarperCollins, I was responsible for the design of the popular "I Can Read" series, along with a wide range of picture books, board books, and young adult novels. My freelance work with Scholastic included designing the entire "Thomas the Tank Engine" flip book series, along with posters and picture books for their book club.


Typography plays a key role in the design of every book I work on. I love the challenge of integrating type into the overall design, making it more than just text—it becomes part of the composition itself. I carefully balance readability with artistic expression, selecting fonts that amplify the tone and personality of the book. Every element, down to the finest detail, contributes to the overall experience.


Cover design is my playground—creating covers that not only catch the eye but make readers want to pick up the book is something I’m passionate about. Whether on a bookstore shelf or an online thumbnail, a great cover has to do the heavy lifting. I’ll never forget the thrill of seeing a Barnes & Noble display of "Princess Tales" by Gail Carson Levine, surrounded by young readers excitedly grabbing the books I had designed. That’s when you know you’ve created something that resonates.


I bring a mix of creativity, technical skill, and a deep love for books to every project I take on. I will work with your illustrator to ensure that printer’s guidelines are met, so everything from color to layout comes out perfectly. Let’s collaborate and create something exceptional for your next book!

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

Work experience

Self-employed

Apr, 1997 — Present

The bulk of my book design experience is in children's picture books, young adult books and teen novels for major publishing houses, both in-house and as a freelance designer. For all of the books I have posted here, I designed the book cover, interior and typography. In my gallery you can view covers, interiors, as well as some of my original illustrations for some of the books I've enjoyed working on.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Grandma's Button Box

Julius, Arline Kahn

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
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
Made with Reedsy
Charlie's Incredible Journey

Briscoe, Crystal

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
Ronnie’s Pool

Fink, Lindsay Ann

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

Lyons, Peter A

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Ten Go Tango

Arthur Dorros

Here's the band--they play and play.1 osprey dances ballet.... That twirling osprey joins a host of other swinging animals in this counting jamboree. By the time ten flamingos go tango, the da... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Will be shipped from US. Used books may not include companion materials, may have some shelf wear, may contain highlighting/notes, may not include CDs or access codes. 100% money back guarantee.
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
Made with Reedsy
The Young Knights of Sadie Glenn

Carleen Anderson Gollahon

The Young Knights of Sadie Glenn is an action and an adventure story where young knights go on quest for the king, to help him rid evil from the kingdom and from their village. Putting on the ... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Gritty Little Lamb

Allbaugh, Dan

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
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
A spiteful fairy. A beautiful princess. An outstretched finger. A spindle. A hundred-year snooze. A charming prince. A kiss. All the familiar ingredients.But wait! Where did that extra prince ... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
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
There she was, chartreuse and warty and smiling at him. Such a nice smile. Something in his heart fluttered. The young maiden, Parsley, will eat nothing but parsley, which in Snettering-on-Sno... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Boy meets princess, and it's love at first sight. Both laugh at the same jokes. Both are named after birds. His name is Robin, hers is Lark. Could there ever have been a more perfect match? Bu... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Ralph said, "Rain tomorrow." Burt said, "Barley needs it. You're covered with cinders, Ellis." Ralph thought that was funny. "That's funny." He laughed. "That's what we should call him-- Cinde... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Includes recipes and step-by-step instructions for making thirty desserts based on Disney stories, including "The Lion King," "Cinderella," "101 Dalmatians," and "Beauty and the Beast."
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Leaving home for the first time is a rite of passage. Fifteen of the most respected authors of our time contribute their perspectives to this masterfully crafted anthology. From fear to desire... read more
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Gypsy Davey

Chris Lynch

Davey, a young boy trying to break the cycle of neglect that has shaped his life, must learn to take care of his teenage sister Jo when she gives birth to a baby. Reprint.
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
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 Flower Girl

Laura Godwin

A flower girl describes the people and activities at a wedding and its aftermath.
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
What really goes on at school! Funny poems and pictures explore the secret lives of school lunches, jungle gyms, pencils, and more.
Cover Design Typography
A little witch finds a way to out-witch her two bossy sisters
Cover Design Typography
Cover Design Typography
In the bay...There are six little fish.Along come six little feet. What will happen when they meet?
Cover Design Typography
"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
Complete with instructions for easy-to-make crafts, this collection provides a different tale for each holiday throughout the year and shows how Pooh and his friends find different ways to sho... read more
Cover Design Book Interior Design
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
Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
[ The Seven Treasure Hunts Byars, Betsy Cromer ( Author ) ] { Paperback } 1992
Cover Design Typography

Michele has 11 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Karen D.

Karen D.

Sep, 2023

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 children's book turned out - and Michele was there every step of the way to answer my MANY questions, guid...
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Crystal B.

Crystal B.

Jun, 2022

Michele was attentive, professional, and thorough throughout the process of designing my book. She's patient and knowledgeable about her craft. She held my hand through the entire process and produced a beautifully designed book. I couldn't have asked for a better designer to work with on my first fiction work!
M K.

M K.

Mar, 2022

Michele was invaluable in helping me to navigate and understand the process. Perfectionist (in the good way). My book looks incredible. If you want an experienced, professional designer as part of your team - hire Michele.
Michele T.
It was great to work with you. Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to working with you on your next book!
Nancy J.

Nancy J.

Jan, 2022

Beyond talented, Michele gave a million percent of herself. As soon as I contacted her, she gave me paragraphs of information, answering questions I didn't know needed asking. And it got better from there. Her input and vision were invaluable. She's also a lovely person.
Bruce J.

Bruce J.

Aug, 2021

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 cover designs (she will give you more than one to choose from) to highly original interior book design...
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