This week is world book week. I know because my son came home clutching his Lego Ninjago book and my daughter her make your own fairy princesses and unicorns book.
But, leaving child gender stereotypes behind… what defines a great book cover? And how much to we judge a book by it’s cover?
A great cover, can easily be just defined by it’s author. From George Orwell’s 1984 to Anthony Burgess’s Clockwork Orange are easily recognisable and deservedly have their places on the pantheon of greatest book covers ever.
However I do like the re-imagined covers that are produced.
Penguins updated cover for 1984, delights with it’s bravery and raises a wry smile to anyone who has knowledge of the book. It would also intrigue new readers. I’m very guilty of judging books by their cover, as a designer, I would look at the book first and then turn to the back to find out if would be on a subject that I would read and I have been persuaded to purchase a book, purely because I found the cover interesting.
My favourite book cover is a Brazilian edition of Jules Vernes’ “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” by the artist Carlo Giovani.
I love the context of this book. How the layers have dual meaning by delving deeper into the book or the earth, you will discover more. Have I read this? Well my Brazilian is a little poor… but I have watched the film if that counts. The original one with James Mason!!
If you have any favourite book covers you would like to share, let us know and we’ll feature them.
James Chantler is Creative Director at Happy Creative, a full service marketing and creative agency based in Blackpool, Lancashire. To learn more or contact us please go to www.happy-creative.co.uk
