The next book cover I wanted to re-illustrate + design for my children's + young adult book portfolio is The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It's a historical novel that takes place in Wethersfield, CT.
Actually, Wethersfield is my hometown. I have to represent! Plus, the story is SO GOOD. It's so good it's a we-should-petition-for-a-movie-that's-how-good-I-think-it-is good. This book is one of our only claims to fame. The problem is, the book covers suck. I need to revive this witch.
MY VERSION OF THE STORY: The year is 1687 and 18 year old Kit Tyler makes a very adult decision to sail from her home in Barbados to live with her aunt and family in the ridiculously Puritan settlement of Wethersfield, Connecticut. She's seeking independence, not because she wants a lip piercing, but because sometimes young girls get married off to sloppy 40 year old men. It doesn't happen in Wethersfield, but it did in Barbados. She travels in on a boat called The Dolphin and the captain's son is named Nat and he is like legit hot. They stop in Old Saybrook. Whilst the crew unloads goods, a little girl drops her doll in the water and Kit immediately dives in to rescue it. The girl's mother is named Goodwife Cruff and she is one of "those" mom's. Ya know, all up in everyone's business, brags about "MY child" a lot, and probably sanitizes her kid from head to toe every hour. She sees this "miraculous" yet horrific event in which a young girl can swim and takes note, 'cause like, she's always keeping score...of everyone. Once they land in Wethersfield Kit is like "for real, I left the clear sunny islands for this?" And Nat is like "haha, yea ya did sucka" (you see he jokes with her because he likes her). The Dolphin (and Nat) sail away. Then Kit Immediately realizes she doesn't fit in. Her cousin Judith is a bitch but thank God her cousin Mercy is cool, but handicapped. So that puts a damper on clubbin' at the meetinghouse. Kit tries her best to work with what she has but always finds herself in awkward situations like love triangles. After being reprimanded for something stupid, Kit flees to the meadows (which still exists by the way) and stumbles upon a little shack by Blackbird Pond. It is lived in by Hannah Tupper who is accused of being a witch, but really, she's just a Quaker. They make friends, there's more love triangle action and Amelia Bedelia behavior from Kit. Illness runs rampant, Kit's cousin Mercy gets sick and the townspeople blame Hannah Tupper. Apparently witches have horrid immune systems (as do Quakers?). There's a pivotal fire scene. Through the flames Kit sees the sails of The Dolphin. Does Nat return? Does Mercy survive the illness? Does anyone die in the fire? Kit is accused of being a witch (by whom you may wonder!) and she is sent to trial. Will Kit be burned at the stake or will she be saved? READ IT.
BOOK COVER ANALYSIS: This is the book cover I grew up with. I like the tragedy of it and the coldness of the Puritans in the color. I also like how she has a slight smile in the dreariness of it all because Kit never plays victim and is always positive. This is the only cover that really inspired me. I like dark stuff, ok? The type job is all right.
Realistic representational paintings are just not my thing for book covers. They could be, if given a certain composition and typography, but this fails to inspire me to read it. She looks bored as hell, therefore I assume I will be too. She even looks a little pretentious. That's not very Kit. Kit keeps it real.
This is the Barry Moser illustrated version which I just read but don't want to say anything bad about because generally I love Mr. Moser's work. If your in Northampton, MA you should see his work in R.Michaelson Gallery. It is amazing. I just question his model choices for this version. The characters either looked too young (like Kit) or way too old. The character of John Holbrook looked 35 rather than 19 and it was putting a whole inappropriate spin on the love triangle for me. Sorry Mr. Moser. I love your artwork though.
I believe this is the most recent cover. I don't hate, but I don't love it. I want to love it, but I still don't want to read the book. It's because of the Puritan clothes. Right away I know it's a historical novel and when I see this I think "I'm about to be schooled," and I don't like that. I like when I'm tricked into education. Off the bat, if I'm a kid that doesn't like to read and I see this at the store (or library) the reaction could be "ew...history AND the main character likes to read.? Oh look-there's Twilight!"
I don't think the front covers of historical young adult books need to scream HISTORICAL NOVEL HERE! I'm not saying Kit Tyler should be wearing moon boots either, but a good illustrator hides the history in relevance.
I have my work cut out for me.
