About

Short Bio:
Writer and illustrator who strives to make the world a better place
Born in Germany – Grew up in Australia – Resides in Arizona
Wife – Mother of two girls – Animal mama to alpacas, a horse, a tortoise, chickens, dogs, and cats
Designer – Writer – Illustrator – Occasional Theatre Set Designer

Long Bio:
After many years of working as a designer, Tanja left the corporate world to pursue her dream of illustrating children’s books. In 2003, she started her own Illustration & Design business (www.tanjabauerledesign.com). Even though she holds a degree in Animation, which focuses on making things move, her passions are background design and layout – a mostly static aspect of the field – with Illustration being the place that she feels most comfortable. Traditional mediums such as acrylics, acrylic gouache, watercolor as well as pen and ink are Tanja’s favorite, but she also loves the freedom that digital tools, such as Photoshop, provide.
Tanja has illustrated three picture books including THE ADVENTURES OF SALT AND SOAP AT GRAND CANYON, published by the Grand Canyon Association, and THE PARK OUR TOWN BUILT, published by Raven Tree Press. She also illustrated the “Wright on Time” chapter book series published by DO LIFE RIGHT, Inc. Her books have won a variety of awards including the Bronze Medal for the 2011 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, the 2010 Arizona Book Awards, and the 2008 and 2010 Annual International Latino Book Awards.
In addition to design and illustration projects varying from character studies, book illustrations, greeting cards, and marketing collateral, Tanja has also created numerous book jackets ranging from children’s titles to adult fiction and nonfiction. She won the 2008 Glyph Award by the Arizona Book Publishing Association for Best Cover Design for the picture book THE STUDENT FROM ZOMBIE ISLAND, published by Little Five Star.
Tanja’s current focus is to write and illustrate her own stories. Many of her stories find root in her childhood.
- Tanja at age 2 in Germany
- Tanja drawing at age 3 in Germany
Tanja was born in Germany, just outside of Munich. At age eleven her family moved to the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Not being able to speak English when she arrived, Tanja had to learn quickly as she attended a regular English-speaking school. To this day Tanja speaks with a melded German/Australian accent which many find difficult to place. The Australian wildlife and environment hold a very special place in her heart and have found their way into several of the stories that she has created.
- Tanja and family in Germany
- Tanja and Calypso in Australia
When Tanja was twenty she moved to the United States, and now she lives near Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and two daughters. Her entire family loves animals, and they share their home with a menagerie of three dogs, four cats, one foster horse, two alpacas, two chickens, and a tortoise.
Tanja’s passion for children’s books takes her to many schools where she aims to inspire kids to read, write, and draw. Seeing the immense value in such visits, she created the Visiting Authors Committee at her children’s school. For five years she brought authors and illustrators to their school to wow the students. These have included Tony DiTerlizzi, Le Uyen Pham, Jennifer Nielsen, Christian Robinson, Mike Curato, Dav Pilkey, and many more.
Since her youngest daughter is a performer, Tanja found herself adding the title of occasional Theatre Set Designer to her repertoire. She has sewn jungle trees, painted backdrops, created costumes, and brought the world of Dr. Seuss to life on stage. You can view some of Tanja’s theatre work here.
Tanja has been an active member of the SCBWI for many years and currently serves as the Assistant Regional Advisor for the SCBWI Arizona region.
In her free time, Tanja loves kayaking, hiking, and camping with her family. They are self-proclaimed national park junkies, always seeking that next camping adventure. Because drawing and reading are two of her main passions, Tanja keeps a sketchbook, her pencils, and a book at hand.
Awards & Recognition
- Nominee
2020-21 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Outstanding Media Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Freaky Friday. - Nominee
2020-21 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Outstanding Media Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Les Miserables: School Edition. - Nominee
2020-21 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Outstanding Media Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Freaky Friday. - Nominee
2020-21 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Outstanding Artistic Specialization – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Into The Woods – Milky White. - Nominee
2020-21 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Outstanding Property Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Freaky Friday. - Nominee
2020-21 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Outstanding Set Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Matilda. - Nominee
2020-21 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Outstanding Set Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Les Miserables: School Edition. - Nominee
2019-20 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence– Outstanding Set Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Frozen, Jr. - Winner
SCBWI Rocky Mountain Region Calendar Contest – Illustration will be included in the 2021 RMC-SCBWI calendar - Nominee
2019-20 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Scenic Design – Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Frozen, Jr. - Winner
2019-20 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Artistic Specialization – Puppet Design for Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Frozen, Jr. - Nominee
2019-20 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Media Design – Projections for Actor’s Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Frozen, Jr. - Nominee
2017-18 AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence – Artistic Specialization – Mask Design for Limelight Performing Arts production of Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. - Winner
2013 SCBWI-AZ “Welcome To Our House” Creativity Contest - “The Park Our Town Built” – Featured Read
“Tejas Star Reading List” for 2012-2013 - “The Park Our Town Built”- Finalist
2012 Green Earth Book Award - Second Place
2011 SCBWI-AZ “Welcome To Our House” Creativity Contest - “The Park Our Town Built” – Bronze Medal – Multicultural Picture Books
2011 Moon Beam Children’s Book Awards - “The Park Our Town Built” – Featured Read
Fall 2011 Seasonal Showcase of the Children’s Book Council - “There’s a Coqui in My Shoe!” – Winner – Latino Books Into Movies
2010 12th Annual International Latino Book Awards - “The Adventures of Salt & Soap at Grand Canyon” – Winner – Best Children’s Nonfiction
2009 Glyph Awards – Arizona Book Publishing Association - “There’s a Coqui in My Shoe!” – Winner – Best Educational Children’s Book – English
2008 10th Annual International Latino Book Awards - “There’s a Coqui in My Shoe!” – Tied for Second – Best Children’s Book
2008 10th Annual International Latino Book Awards - “The Student from Zombie Island ” – Winner – Best Cover Design: Children/Young Adult
2008 Glyph Awards – Arizona Book Publishing Association

Tanja and Horatio the alpaca