Talitha Shipman - Designer
Award-winning book illustrator, book cover designer, and editor with over 10 years of experience. I can help with your next book concept!
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Overview
I'm an author/illustrator and designer focusing on picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and board books. I also design book covers for all adult genres. I've worked collaboratively with authors, editors, and art directors from major publishers like Random House, Albert Whitman, PI Kids, and Little Brown to develop illustrations that bring manuscripts to life. My artwork has been described as colorful, vibrant, and exuberant by Kirkus reviews. I have over 10 years of professional experience with clients big and small from everything to full-length 32-page picture books to short and sweet 16-page board books. My experience as a picture book illustrator combined with my graphic design knowledge makes me an excellent choice for illustrating your picture book or the layout and book design after text and illustrations are completed.
I also offer picture book manuscript critiques and editorial services including Developmental Editing, Stylistic Editing, Copy Editing and Proof Reading. If you're looking for an Art Director to take your project from start to finish, and who has experience writing, editing, illustrating and designing picture books, I'm a great choice! I'd love to partner with you to create a truly awesome picture book!
I can also design or illustrate your Adult, YA or Middle-Grade book cover, and create print-ready interior layouts.
"Talitha Shipman was the perfect partner to help us design our children's book. She is a gifted designer with a great eye for detail, presentation and artistic symmetry. I believe Talitha's talents were a significant and meaningful contribution to the final outcome and can hardly wait to work with her again. I would highly recommend her!!" -LaRae Wright (Children Leading Children)
I also offer picture book manuscript critiques and editorial services including Developmental Editing, Stylistic Editing, Copy Editing and Proof Reading. If you're looking for an Art Director to take your project from start to finish, and who has experience writing, editing, illustrating and designing picture books, I'm a great choice! I'd love to partner with you to create a truly awesome picture book!
I can also design or illustrate your Adult, YA or Middle-Grade book cover, and create print-ready interior layouts.
"Talitha Shipman was the perfect partner to help us design our children's book. She is a gifted designer with a great eye for detail, presentation and artistic symmetry. I believe Talitha's talents were a significant and meaningful contribution to the final outcome and can hardly wait to work with her again. I would highly recommend her!!" -LaRae Wright (Children Leading Children)
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Art
Children’s Non-Fiction
Nature
Fiction
Christian Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Women's Fiction
Young Adult
Awards
- Sidney Taylor Award
- IPPY Award
Work experience
Illustrator, Designer, Animator
Self-employed
May, 2008
–
Present
(over 13 years)
Portfolio (8 selected works)
Mommy, Why Is Your Hair Pink?
Shannon Bahrke Happe
Mommy, Why Is Your Hair Pink? written by Shannon Bahrke Happe and illustrated by Ingrid Ochoa tells the story of a young girl who dreamed big dreams and wanted to do so much. She loved doing so many things but, best of all, she loved sports. She wanted to be the best skier in the world and dreamed of competing in the Olympic Games. Wow, that’s a very big dream for a little girl! But the only t... read more
First Snow
Nancy Viau
Snowflakes falling! What a treat! Friends gather outside to celebrate the first snowfall of the season with snowball fights, sledding, building igloos, drinking hot chocolate, and making the most of a windy, wintry day. With rhyming text and cheerful illustrations, this is a charming celebration of the winter season.
Applesauce Day
Lisa Amstutz
Maria and her family visit an apple orchard and pick apples. Then it's time to turn the apples into applesauce! Every year they use the special pot that has been in the family for generations to make applesauce. First they wash the apples. Then Grandma cuts them into quarters. Follow each step in the process as everyone helps to make delicious applesauce!
You Are My Little Pumpkin Pie
Amy E. Sklansky
Your scent is so delightful, Like cinnamon and spice. Each time I kiss your tender cheekI have to kiss it twice.This oh-so-sweet tribute to adorable babies evokes the warmth and comfort of a delicious piece of yummy pumpkin pie. Amy Sklansky's delightful rhyming text makes this new board book the perfect read aloud to show little ones just how much they are loved.
Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor
Ann D. Koffsky
More than anything, Judah wants to be a good big brother to his baby sister, Hannah. He even uses his new Maccabee shield to protect her from danger!On the last day of Hanukkah, during a visit to the doctor, Judah refuses to have his shot. Surely, his shield can protect him from germs, too!
You Are My Little Cupcake
Amy E. Sklansky
Your smile is sweet as frosting.Your snuggle can't be beat.Your kiss is irresistibleAnd makes each day complete.From their sugar-sweet smiles to their scrumptious little toes, babies are as irresistible as frosting-covered cupcakes! Amy Sklansky's delightful rhyming text makes this new board book the perfect read aloud to show little ones just how much they are loved. With artwork from talente... read more
Everybody Says Shalom
Leslie A. Kimmelman
A spirited picture-book tour of Israel takes readers to the Old City of Jerusalem and modern Tel Aviv, the desert and the sea, Roman ruins, the Biblical Zoo, a kibbutz, and much more. Lively, rhyming text and vibrant, colorful illustrations offer young readers a trip through this old-new land of many contrasts, cultures, and customs. Readers can also look for a mischievous gecko that plays hid... read more
On Your Way
John Coy
A tender look back at a child's first steps, On Your Way is a celebration of growth, movement, and the importance of slowing down to observe life's milestones both big and small. A mother recounts for her child "that day on the porch" when they first tried to walk. As the child totters, stumbles, and flops, young animals nearby gallop, jump, waddle, and hop. Kids will delight in the child's pr... read more
Talitha has 18 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
If you want professional, go with Talitha! She took my book to a whole other level with her amazing illustrations and design. Choosing Talitha ended up being my best decision during the course of getting my book published. She was always willing to work through whatever issues arose and was just totally awesome through the process.
David Horn, July 2021
Reply from Talitha Shipman
It is a pleasure working with Talitha. She is a skilled and talented book designer as well as an excellent communicator, which is extremely important to me. She understands my brand and my genre and the finished product always exceeds my expectations. I will be working with her again in the near future, and I am looking forward to our next collaboration. I highly recommend Talitha.
Karen Myers, June 2021
Talitha has been wonderful to work with. I have a middle grade book series to publish and I had a rough idea as to the type of covers I wanted. Talitha listened to my wants and needs and gave some great suggestions/input. She has really captured the look and feel of the story, and I am over the moon with the cover for book 1. Now we have a theme for the rest of the series, and I can't wait to ...
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Fran Grant, April 2021
Reply from Talitha Shipman
Talitha was JUST AMAZING ever step of the way. Her knowledge and experience were invaluable and her suggestions for design elements and illustrations were SPOT ON! She always responded to my questions promptly and with the exact amount of information I needed being a first time author of a children's picture book. She brought my book to next level... with an eye-catching, kid-friendly cov...
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Jennifer Welborn, February 2021
Talitha created beautiful, eye-catching art and design for my cover (eBook and paperback) for my middle grade novel. She took my rough concept of an idea, added some things to make it more dynamic and genre-appropriate, and delivered an awesome finished product. I am very happy. She was very easy to work, and provided regular updates and options of her concepts, fonts, art, layout, etc. She eve...
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Ben Swiercz, December 2020
Reply from Talitha Shipman
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