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| Whittington, by Alan Armstrong, cover by Kenneth McMillan |
Have you ever read a book, loved the book, but also literally fell captivated by the cover? Basically to the point where you can't stop staring at it and every time you look at it you find something new to wonder about?
The cover of the Newbery Honor book, WHITTINGTON by Alan Armstrong, does that to me. This version of the cover was created by Kenneth McMillan and it just draws me in (no pun intended). You start with those eyes--that mesmerizing stare that makes you realize this animal is much more than your average feline. Then you see that sad limp ear--what happened to this cat? Who or what hurt him? Was he born that way? Did he deserve it? He's large and burly, with a scruffy chest and bold confident stripes--who is this cat? McMillan does a fantastic job of making what most people would think is simply a typical housecat into anything but. Every time I look at this cover I see more.
What covers do it for you? Is there something new--a book you're reading now that has a cover that just strikes you or maybe something you read as a child--a cover that you can still picture in your head after all those years and sometimes do?
Ummm....Nightshade City's cover is pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteErrr...blushing. Thanks, Jess! :) I love to hear that! Omar Rayyan is the man!
ReplyDeletehi miss hilary! that cat cover is pretty cool for sure. i like how hes sitting and i like how he looks a little sad a little wise and a lot confident. that flopped down ear is neat one of our raccoons got one ear just like that. covers for me are pretty important cause it the first thing i see. for me i love that nightshade city cover. i got done reading it and loooooved it. now i cant wait for the next one to get here. for when i was little i could still see in my head a book cover for a book called fraidy cat. that was a cat face too. it said lots in its face. i hope you have a real fun and nice weekend.
ReplyDelete...smiles and hugs from lenny
There's a book written by Carrie Harris that's coming out in July of 2011 that popped into my head. It has an AWESOME cover that makes me anxious to get my hands on it. The title is, Bad Taste in Boys. If you're curious, check it out, along with other good reads and covers to come, at www.classof2K11.com
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jess. I also love the covers for The Shifter and Blue Fire by Janice Hardy.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few old picture books that I love the covers, like The Wizard of Oz and The Lion's Paw.
ReplyDeleteThe cover of The City of Ember, though fairly simple, was what intrigued me first about the book. And after reading it, I think the cover is absolutely perfect.
ReplyDeleteI also love the cover of Kathi Appelt's The Underneath.
Oh, there are so many wonderful new covers. Nightshade City, of course! But also, interestingly enough, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, has a beautiful cover. And Matched by Ally Condie, coming out soon, has an intriguing cover. Makes you want to read it just because of the girl in the bubble.
ReplyDeleteFor picture books, last year's The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (the one that won the Caldecott) has a gorgeous cover. I could go on and on...
Great post, Hilary!
Um, current release MARBURY LENS. Cover kicks donkey's behind. Just picked up a copy and will be reading soon.
ReplyDeleteThat's a darling cover, to be sure. I just saw one by Nova Ren Suma for her book IMAGINARY GIRLS, which was spectacular. Elana's is, of course, gorgeous. And there is NIGHTSHADE CITY ;) Who wouldn't fall in love with that cover?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I just recommended your book to a friend of mine who was looking for books for her fourth grade son who reads at a higher level, but she struggles to find books with content suitable for him. I think he'll love it.