Taffetarium

Janet Fox's Forgiven
(Speak, 2011)
Historical

There's something alluring about an abundance of taffeta and lace. Lately there have been many cover photos of beautiful girls wearing Victorian dress, wrapped in folds of luxurious fabrics that would have made the likes of Mary Todd Lincoln green with envy. These covers must sell--and I know my eye is always drawn to the images. I think these covers promise teens stories of faraway times and places, romance, fantasy, vulnerability, danger.

Here are just a few samples. All young adult novels.

Beyond the photograph. The designers of the next covers added art to enhance the image.

Note the finger-like roots and magical sparkly dust (is there a word for "magical sparkly dust"?) that set this cover apart. And oh, yeah, the sepia tones.

Chime by Franny Billingsley
(Dial, 2011)
Fantasy

Cool overlaid arabesques just above the title:

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (Australian edition)
(HarperTeen, 2011)
Fantasy, first in a trilogy

I can't explain it, but I find the geometric lines and shapes on this cover irresistible. Is it steampunk-ish? The novel involves genetic engineering. I think it works.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
(Simon and Schuster, 2011)
Dystopian Fantasy, first in a trilogy

More is . . . more. It is safe to say that very few males will pick this one up:

Entwined, by Heather Dixon
(Greenwillow, 2011)
Fantasy

No Lies

Carol sent me this adorable cover and suggested I do a spread on Pinocchio jackets. As a result, this week's JacketKnack post will be eleven and a half pages long because there are soooooo many Pinocchio covers to choose from. I found dozens upon dozens of renditions of this little wooden boy. Without further ado, here's Pinocchio...

...circa 1926.

(Thanks to illuminated-books.com)

...with Robin Williams as Gepetto!

(Sterling Publishing,February 2008)

...as a pop-up book...

(Blue Ribbon Books, c1932)

...in the UK...

(Penguin UK, 2011)

and ... en francais!

(Les Requins Marteaux/Ferraille, 2009)

There are so many faces of this lovable little wooden boy.

A modern version:

(Candlewick, 2003)

A not-so-modern version:

(Wonder Books, 1954)

A dark Pinocchio:

(Tor Books, 2002)

Even Pinocchio, the action hero!

(Zenescope Entertainment, 2010)

I can appreciate the many interpretations of this story, originally written in 1883 by Italian author Carlos Collodi. So many variations, so many twists...

But Pinocchio the Vampire Slayer? Really?

I tell you no lies.

(Published by Slave Labor, 2009)

-PB