Ellen Shapiro

Ellen M. Shapiro is a writer and graphic designer who designs all her own books, whether commercially published or through her own imprint, Visual Language LLC.

As a design writer, she has written two books on the graphic design business and working with clients, and contributes to print and online magazines on design firms, personalities, exhibitions, museums, education, and visual culture worldwide.

She created Alphagram Learning Materials, which combine the alphabet with pictograms to help children, especially those with learning differences, learn to read, write, and spell. The "Is It a Word – Or Not" flip-book, which makes more than 1,200 CVC words and syllables, is her most popular product.

Her well-reviewed middle-grade novel, "The Secret Buttons," was drawn from her mother's memories as a refugee during WWII and illustrated by Italian artist Caterina Baldi.