Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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MacBeth
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Posted: June 11 2008 at 2:29pm | IP Logged Quote MacBeth
I just read an article about some of our favorite Newbery award books getting new covers. Anyone have an opinion on that?

I often think about books like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and all, that I read in paperback as a child, and I miss the old covers! Yet, it's fun to see a different artist's interpretation of the imagery.

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marihalojen
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Posted: June 11 2008 at 5:29pm | IP Logged Quote marihalojen
I think it's a great idea if it entices additional readers in or if it entices librarians to order new copies. Our current children/YA librarian is very drawn to books with spectacular covers and it'd be great to see some classics displayed along with the Fantasy, Sci Fi, and young Chick Lit she's drawn to.

I wonder if they'd displayed book covers that I didn't like if I'd hold the same opinion though?

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Posted: June 12 2008 at 4:23pm | IP Logged Quote ALmom
I don't like the new covers on books I've seen but guess it could be argued that folks will get drawn into good books that look like bad ones . Actually, I almost didn't buy St. Patrick's Summer because the cover seemed eery - almost occultish to me and I was afraid they might have changed more than the cover. I found a used book which solved the dilemma and since learned that nothing was changed in the book, just the cover.

Also, my children will often be turned off by a cover and not want to chance the book.

I find the same things with illustrations or pictures in a book. I was terribly disappointed with the revised editions of Faith and Life. The ones I have include much more classic art and in a glossier or more vivid way.

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Posted: June 12 2008 at 8:02pm | IP Logged Quote Rachel May
I have to admit being nostalgic about old book covers. I like the new Narnia covers, but I don't like the new covers for the Great Brain. I loved the Mercer Mayer illustrations. I wouldn't want to see new Little House covers. I don't like the new slick "eye-popping" covers for the most part.

For me the worst is a photograph of the main characters' faces, like on the Golden Compass. I disliked the book intensely, but the old cover was interesting. And it wasn't of real people so it gave you the opportunity to create your own mental image to some extent. I guess any book cover made from a movie image is tough for me. I like the old drawings.

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teachingmom
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Posted: June 12 2008 at 10:39pm | IP Logged Quote teachingmom
I rather like the covers on the books highlighted in the article, MacBeth. But then again, I haven't seen many of them in the original covers and they are not favorites, so I don't have any nostalgia attached to old covers for those books. But go and try to change the cover of a favorite around here, and I'll tell you a different story.

I agree about photographs on book covers. Hate them! They leave nothing to the imagination, and often ruin the image one has already formed about a character. (Did you notice that I have strong opinions about this? )

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MacBeth
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Posted: June 12 2008 at 11:15pm | IP Logged Quote MacBeth
teachingmom wrote:
(Did you notice that I have strong opinions about this? )


I thought there might be a few insightful opinions .

I am so with you all on the photo covers. Too bad publishers don't ask us.

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Maryan
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Posted: June 13 2008 at 6:48am | IP Logged Quote Maryan
I don't like change -- so I can't don't even know if I objectively the new covers are better than old covers. To me they're just different... and different is usually bad.   

I'd have to look at them awhile before I could make a judgment.

I'm the same way with food and furniture arrangement too.

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Jen L.
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Posted: June 13 2008 at 7:58am | IP Logged Quote Jen L.
I really do not like most, if any, new covers. I have to agree with MaryAn that it is hard for me to look at them objectively as "different is usually bad" for me too!   
It frustrates me that the publishers think a nice old illustration, say of Henry Huggins, is not attractive enough for "today's kids" and turns him into a totally different character on the cover. The modern covers can also lead to misconceptions of the book as Janet says, we have a newer Box Car Children and it has modern kids drawn on the cover (boys and girls in long pants). A little confusing if you start reading the book without knowing that it takes place over 60 years ago! (boys in knickers, girls in dresses)

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