Best in Show: Book Covers 2011 Children’s Picture Book edition

In the third and (probably) final post in my Best in Show series, I wrap up a year of unforgettable children’s books by listing best in cover art design. The competition was stiff, the entries superb; but these books stood head and shoulders above the rest with their excellent use of color, space, and text.

We start off the selections with my personal favorite, Grandpa Green by Lane Smith. I simply can’t get over the brilliant combination of color and pencil drawing. This story is not only a triumph of design, but also of story. It made a huge splash when it was released in August, and will no doubt be collecting awards for years to come.

 

Best in Show: Book Covers 2011 Mainstream Adult edition

I’ve picked five fabulous covers to represent the best of the best of adult mainstream books in 2011. Haruki Murakami blows the competition out of the water with his fantastically designed cover for 1Q84. I’ve seen it crop up on many lists, and you will see why below. I also can’t get over the whimsically dark Night Circus cover nor the Oliver Sacks books which, when put together, form one neurobiology-inspired picture. Throw in the well executed font of The Uncoupling (not to mention the model town photograph) and some tossy-turvey waves of We, the Drowned, and all these covers are pitch perfect and deserve all the recognition my little blog can give.