Here's another look at some book covers that jumped out at me - for very different reasons. First up has to be the pinkest book I've seen in a long time. The Princess and the Unicorn makes no bones about who its audience is. It's not just girls - but the pink and sparkliest of girls. This one is not for the unicorn contingent (to quote Mr. Elzey) but rather the pretty pony set. Can't argue with direct advertising though; at least there is no pretending to be something other than what you are. (Though man - is this ever PINK!)

The Princess and the Unicorn is for middle grade readers - ages 9-12. (Seems a stretch for the average 12 year old today but I'm not up on the sparkly set so I could be wrong there.) (Oh and yes, this was sent to me to review and I have no idea why. I have happily donated it so hopefully it will end up being cherished by a unicorn lover soon.)

Next up is The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews from Counterpoint which has gotten many positive reviews and was described by PW as "A road novel helped along by a lovably nutty cast". There's nothing odd about this cover - it's kinda quirky but the book is full of quirky folks so that's fine. Where things get weird is when you look at the cover of Spoiled by Caitlin Macy from Random House. That would be the exact same cover. Exactly.

Troutmans came out last October and Spoiled is new this month. You have to wonder what the odds were that this particular somewhat strange picture would be used twice in such a short space of time. I think it works better oversized on Troutmans but it's just a shame for Spoiled; the book stands out less now with such a well reviewed title looking like it.

Finally, here's a cover that I think makes you wonder. Lisa Ann Sandell's upcoming title A Map of the Known World (I just read it, liked it a lot, more to follow soon) is about a young girl who makes maps of places she wants to visit as well as her hometown in an effort to work through the grief of her brother's death. (There's also a lot more going on at home, not the least of which is that her brother was a bit of an ass so it's kinda hard to mourn him.)

I really like having the assemblage art in the shape of a heart on the cover - it's strange but also compelling and it works with what Cora is doing in the story. You look at it and think "what is that all about?" which is exactly what a cover should do. Here's hoping this one gets faced out on the shelves - it's sure to generate interest if readers get a look at it. (That's a killer title also.)