This is Cover Collection, my (mostly) weekly blog series about book covers that work, and why.
Today we’re looking at the cover of COWHIDE-AND-SEEK, written by Sheri Dillard, illustrated by Jess Pauwels, and designed by Frances J. Soo Ping Chow. This cover is so cute and fun, and it’s perfect for the book.
The first thing that jumps out at me when I look at this cover is the font the designer chose for the title. It’s clearly reminiscent of a rope and lasso, and it sets us right in the middle of a ranch out west. It’s drawing on a whole host of cultural associations between cows and ranchers and cowboys, and it does its job.
The second thing I notice here is that the main character, the cow, is right in the middle of the cover, and our intrepid cow is hiding in the most ridiculous place EVER—behind a slender tree trunk! This illustration tells us pretty much how this story is going to go without giving away too much detail, and I love it. It’s a perfect teaser for the under-five set.
And then there’s that bird! See it, perched in the “C” in the title? Seasoned picture book readers will know enough about the medium to wonder what role that bird plays in the story. Will it save the day? Will it be hidden on each page spread, like an Easter egg? We have to open the book to find out. Whether the bird plays a role in the story or not isn’t important here: its presence on the cover is enough to add interest and intrigue.
That’s all I have room for, but I want to hear your thoughts. What do YOU love about this cover? Drop your thoughts in the comments and keep the conversation going!