The most arresting thing about the whole of this lovely cover is the illustration of the main character — it looks both endearing and tragic despite its simplicity. It’s a very wise move of Stripes to give it the prominence it deserves on this spine, as it will draw the eye and appeal to both adults and children. It also makes immediate sense of what would otherwise be a baffling title.

The typography is also a clever choice — unusual enough to attract attention but still legible.

Stripes have also taken the clever decision to give themselves a bold, confident logo that will unify their titles and give their imprint a recognisable identity and appeal across the crowded children’s fiction shelves, as Hay House have done in the MBS market. For a small publisher, this can be a crucial part of establishing loyalty among retailers and consumers alike.

How cheering to see a spine that works hard and looks good.