Shanie Cooper

Shanie Cooper – Designer

Designing children's picture books for self-publishing authors. Let's take the pain out of publishing and make your book beautiful!

Overview

I'm a graphic designer who specializes in children's picture book design. I design picture books for kids of all ages and have done both fiction and non-fiction picture books.


I work together with the author and the illustrator to create a final product that is professional, fun, easy to navigate, and cohesive. My goal is to create a synthesis between the pictures and the text, so that the final book feels like a unit, with the pictures and text interacting and visually supporting each other. To this end, I can be involved with the illustrator starting from the sketching stage, making sure that the areas left for text placement make sense, both visually and in terms of the story's flow. After the illustrations are complete, I will work to find a font that complements both the tone of the story and the style of the illustration. The next step is laying out the text, which varies widely depending on the story. Sometimes we'll have text that dances around the characters on the page, varying sizes and ignoring baselines, and sometimes text will be more traditional, allowing the illustrations to take center stage. The final step is preparing the file for print. I have worked with printers all over the world, and have experience in most of the different printing types.


I have over 20 years of experience in the graphic design industry and have been working in publishing for most of that time. I have worked with independent authors, editors, illustrators, and publishers including Flashlight Press (I Need My Monster, When a Dragon Moves In, Too Much Glue, and many more), Apples and Honey Press (Big Sam by Eric Kimmel, French Toast Sundays, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor, and more), and Menucha Publishers (E is for Elisa, From Wheat to Challah, and many more), working on covers and typesetting for easy reader chapter books for kids ages 7-11.


I'm looking forward to working together!


Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Middle Grade Picture Books Young Adult
Languages
English
Certifications
  • Associate's Degree

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2001 — Present

I have been designing book covers and children's books since I started my company 20 years ago. I work with several publishers (Urim Publications, Devora Press, Menucha Publishing, Apples and Honey Press, Gefen Publications), producing covers and laying out children's books, and I also work with independent authors. For covers, I work with the authors to create a visual representation of the soul of their book. For children's books, I usually work together with the editor and/or author and illustrator from the beginning, providing insight into how the illustration relates to the story, ensuring the illustrator leaves room for text in places that make sense in the story, choosing fonts, and then laying out the book in a way that creates harmony between the pictures and the text. I also have done other graphic work, including web design, branding, and different types of printed materials, including brochures, ads, posters, catalogs, trade show booths, and more.

Menucha Publishers

Jun, 2017 — Present

I design covers for kids' picture books and novels and lay out picture books as well.

Flashlight Press

Oct, 2002 — Present

I have designed all of Flashlight's children's books - both cover and layout - as well as all their other marketing materials, including their website, bookmarks, posters, rollups, catalogs, and ads. I work together with the editor to produce beautiful picture books that stand out.

Portfolio

Zahara

Summers

Freedom for lobsters! The second in the Eudora Space Kid series: a hilariously funny, early reader sci-fi chapter book perfect for elementary-aged kids. Can Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, rescue her favorite lobsters from becoming the next meal at the spa... read more
Tee-Joe and his sister Lilly are playing outside when he realizes: something is following him. He wants to make it go away but it won’t leave him alone. Frustrated and annoyed, he asks his Grand-mère Elsie for advice, her story lead him in a direction he could... read more
Buddy really, REALLY wants to be a lifeguard. There’s only one problem … He’s just a teeny weeny, fluffy puffy toy poodle! Meet Buddy, an adorable pocket-sized puppy who will stop at nothing to become a lifeguard. He practices hard every day … swimming, diving... read more
Sarah Schenirer lived in Kraków, Poland. When she was growing up, there were no Jewish schools for girls. Sarah had a dream. She wanted to start her very own school. But the girls weren't interested. What could Sarah do? How would she succeed? Sarah Builds a S... read more
Elisa Michaels is just trying to help... Elisa has a new house, she's starting a new year in school, and she has a new baby brother. She's in the middle of her family now, and, just like in a sandwich, Elisa knows the middle is best. Elisa wants to help her ol... read more
Where does challah come from? Follow its amazing journey from a kernel of wheat to the delicious bread we eat on Shabbos.
How is a menorah made? Why does it have nine branches? What is Hanukkah, anyway? Meet the people who make different menorahs, and find out how an ancient Jewish tradition is celebrated. What are the different elements that make a menorah? When do we light it? ... read more
He's coming to save her, but she might try to kill him.When the teenage daughter of a U.S. Congresswoman falls under the influence of an online recruiter from a radical new terror organization, the Senator's only hope lies with Israeli Special Forces operator,... read more
"Those British are coming this way. Eight thousand troops." "Eight thousand?" Jacob whispered. Jeremiah nodded. "They're pouring into Washington from all directions." "At least we have our Fencibles." Jacob stood up straighter speaking of the local militia. "T... read more
How is olive oil made? Follow its amazing journey from an olive growing on a tree to the oil we use to light our menorahs.
This is undoubtedly the biggest:…day of Kelerin's life: A warrior/scholar from the prestigious all-boys Academy on Osmos, he’ll be facing off against his arch rival in what many are already calling the ‘duel of the year.’…feeling Analel's ever had: A telepathi... read more
When Mina s beloved Grandma dies, nothing feels right anymore.People come to visit. Mina just hides up in the big old oak tree. But the stories she hears about Grandma bring her slowly back down until at last Mina feels ready to smile again.
How does Big Sam make a GIANT-sized challah for Rosh Hashanah?He digs an enormous hole in the ground to use as a mixing bowl. (It's still there today we call it the Grand Canyon.)He adds mountains of flour, thousands of eggs, and other good things.He whittles ... read more
This book is specially designed in Amazon's fixed-layout KF8 format with region magnification. Double-tap on an area of text to zoom and read. On a beautiful day at the beach, a young boy brings his bucket, shovel, and imagination, and builds a perfect sand ca... read more
Although Matty’s art teacher has warned him that too much glue never dries, Matty loves glue. After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze ... read more
This book is specially designed in Amazon's fixed-layout KF8 format with region magnification. Double-tap on an area of text to zoom and read. A unique monster-under-the-bed story with the perfect balance of giggles and shivers, this picture book relies on the... read more

Shanie has 30 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Tomi S.

Tomi S.

Aug, 2023

Shanie Cooper is a rare find, and I'm glad I discovered her on Reedsy. With my first book, Vinny and Chip, she guided me through the book designing process with much patience. She's honest. She'll tell me if something is a good idea or not. She's intuitive. She understands what I'm trying to achieve in a children's book. She's also a pleasure to collaborate with, because of her promptness and l...
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Neil R.

Neil R.

Jun, 2023

Sandy is great. She delivered as advertised and in a timely manner. Her input was very helpful and I would definitely use her again. Neil
Julian B.

Julian B.

Jun, 2023

Shanie is brilliant!. Great collaborating with her on the book front cover designs and layouts. Very responsive and adds some real value to the creative process. She definitely makes life easier. Higly recommended.
David H.

David H.

Apr, 2023

Shanie helped design a children's chapter book for me and did it in a very professional way and my books look like traditionally published books so I'm so thankful for her services! They are timely and efficient.
David H.

David H.

Jan, 2023

Shanie helped me redesign a prior book for a new book cover and some inside details. The work product was perfect, timely and efficient. Communication was great! Thanks!

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