We’ve all heard the famous saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But that’s really hard to do! When I see a beautiful picture book cover, I can’t help myself. I have to pick it up and start reading right away. My hunch is you do too! So for this post I’d like to share a few of my favorite picture book covers–the ones that make my heart beat a little bit faster and my day a little bit better.
Here’s a small, stunning collection of some of the recent picture book covers that caught my eye. (Sidenote: nonfiction is my passion, so most of these are nf gems.) I’m grateful for the talented, hard-working illustrators (and book designers) who created these lovely masterpieces and the many others that we all enjoy!
Illustrator: Stacy Innerst (Aren’t the bright colors fabulous?)
Illustrator: Eric Puybaret (The circle “peephole” design is awesome!)
Illustrator: Jessica Lanan (Just one word for this — gorgeous!)
Illustrator: Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Great “sewing” details and rich colors!)
Illustrator: Janna Bock (The warm light & scrollwork designs around title are great!)
Illustrator (& author): Linda Kranz (This cover just makes me happy!)
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham (Okay, I also love math. And this colorful cover!)
Illustrator(& author): Jeanette Winter (Simple, yet clever!)
Of course, there are many other gorgeous picture book covers. These are just a few that have brightened my day. What are some of your favorite pb covers?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Contest Winners! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
The winner of my April book giveaway is Kristin Gray. Congrats, Kristin! Hope you’ve received your book by now!
And the Winners of Jennifer Black Reinhardt’s Yaks, Yak, Animal Word Pairs book giveaway are: Claire Noland and Lynne Marie!! Congratulations! Please go to Jennifer’s website (JBReinhardt.com) and email her your name and address and let he know if/how you would like your book inscribed.
I think The Night Gardener by Eric Fan and Terry Fan is stunning. Here’s a link to the image: http://bit.ly/1UvsqhP
That is an awesome cover! Thanks for sharing!
Lovely choices.
And so many more lovely covers we haven’t even mentioned!
On my last trip to the book shop, I was drawn to Dewey Bob by Judith Schachner. The colors are bold and soft at the same time. The language is also lyrical.
Just checked out Dewey Bob. What a cute little guy, and yes, the soft color wash is outstanding!
I love the cover of Cloth Lullaby by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault–it’s stunning! The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry is also gorgeous and inviting
Ooo, love the reds in Cloth Lullaby, and I agree, The Tree Lady is gorgeous! Love the aerial perspective of the trees.
Would love to learn more about how book designers and illustrators develop a cover image! These are swoon-worthy.
Me too! Perhaps I’ll have to ask one to be a guest and answer some questions about their process in the future. Thanks for the idea!
You always give me new books to add to my list. Thank you!
Glad you get ideas from our blog! Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, these covers are fabulous! Like magnets, they pull me inside to READ!
So true–the covers are like magnets. Very powerful ones!
That’s why I love picture books–the story and the art!!
A beautiful combination indeed!
These covers are gorgeous! I love Manfish, so cool! A favorite of mine is Wherever You Go with Eliza Wheeler’s cover art.
Ah, another great one — Wherever You Go. Just love that cover!
Bluebird, by Bob Staake; Virginia Wolff, by Isabelle Arsenault; One Gorilla, by Anthony Browne, Teeny Tiny Toady, by Keika Yamaguchi; The Big Red Lollipop, by Sophie Blackall; The Only Child, by Guojing – just to name a few!
Loved the cover of The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel.The entire book has rich illustrations in Rousseau’s style. 2more nonfiction books with gorgeous covers are: Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre and weeds find a Way by cindy Jensen Elliot.
Love the loveliness! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Suzanne, for featuring Rabbi B! I just love love love the beautiful “Manfish” cover. I’d pick that up in a heartbeat!
I thought The Whisper cover was gorgeous.