While digging around the internet for Sunday’s newsletter on Larry McMurtry and Beverly Cleary, I noticed a disturbing phenomenon. The cover from Runaway Ralph, which was a work of art in its original incarnation…
…has become something else in its current form:
I’d like to explore the phenomenon of changing (or not) book covers on enduring children’s books in my next column for the Chicago Tribune. I’m curious about a couple of things.
Which book covers do you remember and treasure from your own childhood? Have they been changed over time, or do they endure on the current editions?
What do you think about publishers updating covers for new generations and different sensibilities?
Please feel free to post any and all thoughts in the comments, or if you’re getting this via email, you can also reply to this message. If you have a comment, but would rather not see your first name in the newspaper and instead prefer anonymity, please let me know that as well.
Thanks for your help!
Golden books covers. Especially Little Red Riding Hood. I think the old ones were more arty. We are lucky to have golden Book collection on display at the Lake county Forest Preserve museum in Il. Liz S.
I looked up a book we used to have in the house when my kids were young, "The Biggest Bear" by Lynd Ward. It seems that the cover has not changed, which is good to see.