3 On A YA Theme: Beautiful Editions of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
With the holiday season here, there are plenty of gift giving suggestions out there for book lovers, as well as those who want to give books to those who aren’t necessarily book lovers. One popular suggestion for both ends of the spectrum is a classic title that just looks really nice. Having a gorgeous copy of a classic is the kind of gift people can savor because it both brightens a book shelf and breathes new life into a well-known, well-loved story.
For readers who love a YA classic — we could debate whether this is a YA title or a middle grade title for days, but let’s call it YA because many YA readers do consider it a classic — a perfect gift may just be a fresh, eye-catching edition of Anne of Green Gables.
I’m cheating in today’s “3 On A YA Theme.” Because there are so many appealing looks to the classic, there’s no way I could limit this post to only 3. Instead, I’m highlighting 6 versions of Anne of Green Gables that are exceptionally visually appealing. None of them, though, are the cover which sparked a bit of controversy a couple of years ago.
The Rifle Paper Company’s edition of Anne of Green Gables is a one-off, meaning that you can’t pick up the subsequent titles in the series. But look at it! The full-color cover wraps around to the spine, as well as the back, and it has gold foil lettering, as well as illustrated endpapers. If this book isn’t enough, Rifel also offers equally attractive editions of Little Women, Heidi, and A Little Princess.
If cloth-bound books are more your style, then Tundra Books has the Anne of Green Gables covers for you. The design is simple and yet iconic — they’ve redesigned the entire Anne series, and all of the books feature “ANNE” in capital letters, against a different colored background. These books don’t need dust jackets.
(And if Emily of New Moon is more your Montgomery tastes, they have redesigned those in similar fashion).
Tundra Books also redesigned the Anne of Green Gables series in paperback, and they’re stunning. Designed by artist Elly MacKay, the designs are hand cut illustrations, meaning that they were drawn, then cut out, then set up in a box and photographed. The colors are gorgeous, and the three-dimensional element makes them pop. Rainbow Valley really stands out.
Another series of Anne of Green Gables books in paperback come through Sourcebooks. Jacqui Oakley designed this run of covers, which show Anne as older and more mature than the prior covers do. In many ways, these covers appeal to adult readers more than teen readers. Each illustration features a different building that Anne grew up in, along with a native flower from Prince Edward Island, and an animal.
If you like a pretty paper cut design, then the Anne of Green Gables editions published as part of the Aladdin Classics series through Simon and Schuster will be up your alley. In many ways, these covers are understated, as they feature nothing but a simple colored background and the white paper overlay. But it’s the simplicity that makes them look and feel both modern and classic. Even the change of font in the title is a nice touch.
Finally, another cloth-bound edition worth enjoying comes from the Puffin line out of Penguin UK (and available through the Australian Penguin site). The design offers no people nor no silhouettes; it’s simply tea pots, tea cups, cupcakes, bows, dots, and butterflies. The pink is fresh and eye-catching.
Eager for more 3 On A YA Theme Posts? Dive into these:
3 On A YA Theme: Modern Takes on Little Women
3 On A YA Theme: It’s Basketball Season
3 On A YA Theme: Teens Who Are Writers
3 On A YA Theme: Parents Who Are Writers
3 On A YA Theme: It’s Halloween
3 On A YA Theme: Girls Who Dig Horror Movies
3 On A YA Theme: Be Ready to Be Scared
3 On A YA Theme: If You Love Watching Supernatural
3 On A YA Theme: YA-Inspired Art
3 On A YA Theme: YA Films on Netflix Instant
3 On A YA Theme: More YA Films on Netflix Instant
3 On A YA Theme: Astral Projection
3 On A YA Theme: Dolls On Covers
3 On A YA Theme: Girls Who Run