This meme was started by Books by Proxy, whose fabulous idea was to compare UK and US book covers and decide which is we prefer. This meme is currently being nurtured by Lynn’s Book Blog and the subject this week featuring on any of our covers is A SUNRISE OR SUNSET, so I’ve selected A Hat Full of Sky – Book 2 of the Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett.
This edition was produced by Doubleday Children’s in April 2004. I love many elements of this cover – the horde of Wee Free Men clustered on the hat… the amazing lighting where the sun is breaking behind Tiffany… the quirky font… BUT I think it’s a shame that the girl depicting Tiffany has all the charm of a burnt cauldron. Given she is one of my favourite protagonists of all time – this cover doesn’t do her justice.
Published in May 2005 by Corgi Children’s, this cover is my favourite. I thoroughly approve of Corgi’s decision to feature those amazing Wee Free men, who have captured a witch’s hat. I love the wonderful title font, too, which helps to convey the magic that is this delightful book.
This edition, published by HarperCollins in May 2004 is charming. I do love that golden sky in the background and unlike the wretched girl on the first cover, this one looks adorable. Once more those blue-skinned menaces are swarming over Tiffany’s hat, the colour nicely picked up in that blue border. I am not a huge fan of borders, but this one works. The reason why this one isn’t a contender, is those rather miserable title and author fonts.
Produced by Corgi Children’s in May 2005, this one is a real contender, given that it deliberately evokes the Discworld covers. The classic author and title fonts Pratchett fans grew to love give an immediate visual clue that this is another book from the Great Man. While the cartoon-like depiction of Tiffany and Mistress Tick (or is it Granny Weatherwax?) speeding away on a broomstick reinforces that impression. This one would be perfect if those little blue men featured anywhere…
This edition, published by Corgi Childrens in May 2017, is a completely different approach. I do enjoy this quirky treatment which looks amazing. However, the reason why this one isn’t my favourite is that the overall effect gives the impression that A Hat Full of Sky is darker than it actually is. Which is your favourite?
Brainfluff 
Yeah agree with your choice of favorite cover , that one looks the best
Thank you, Rash:))
The second one is definitely my favorite too. I agree about the first one. It’s wonderful but why did they go that way with the girl’s face?
I know! She manages to look thoroughly sulky and Tiffany doesn’t sulk…
I would have selected the last one, but when you said the tale wasn’t dark, I had to agree with you and selected Corgi Children’s edition
Thank you, Kimberly:). Yes… Pratchett could be gritty and quirky, but he didn’t ever do horror.
Oh, but the style of that last entry is so unique! Hmm. I think it just needed a brighter color scheme, and then it’d be perfect…
Oh yes! That would have done, Jean:). You’re right – the artwork is wonderful and it is delightfully original – just a shame that it does look darker than it actually is because of the lack of colour.
Hmm, can’t say any of these are really speaking to me, so it’s tough to choose this week. I will say though that the art on the Corgi Children’s edition is very cute and charming!
Yes… for what it’s worth, I do feel the pain of anyone trying to design a cover for a Pratchett book – Kirby and Kidby are the only ones who really nailed it, I think…
I like the third one. I agree with you about the last one – it reminds me of Hotel Transylvania 🙂
Oh yes! It certainly has that feel, hasn’t it? And the book isn’t anything like that. Far, far better…
Yes, it makes a wrong impression.
After much consideration and deliberation (LOL) I like the Harper Collins cover. This was fun!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Rae:). And yes – if I didn’t have such a bee in my bonnet about title and author fonts, the HarperCollins cover would have been a major contender.
We all have our little “eccentricities…” and I have them aplenty!
Oh, absolutely!
I like Harper Collins May, 2004.
It is delightfully charming, isn’t it? Thank you for swinging by, Jennie:)
My pleasure!
Love these covers, they all work for me, but I think the Corgi Children’s 2005 is the winner😁
Yes – this one really strums the Discworld vibe, doesn’t it? I think that must be Miss Tick on the back – Granny Weatherwax wouldn’t look that worried and… defenceless. She is my role model:)
I like the HarperCollins in May 2004 edition best, followed closely by your favorite! And I agree that the girl in the first one looks like she has all the charm of a burnt cauldron 😂😂
I know! WHY put a grumpy little madam on the cover, when Tiffany Aching is nothing but ADORABLE, with perhaps an overdeveloped sense of responsibility as her main fault???
A lovely book and I agree with your choice – although, and I realise it’s a bit unusual I like the artwork of the last one too.
Lynn 😀
Yes – the artwork is absolutely lovely, I just don’t think it’s suitable for a humorous children’s book…
Tough choice, but in the end, my vote goes to the last one for the quirky and eye-catching artwork as well as general composition.
Thank you for your input, Joanna. I do love the composition – I just wish it wasn’t on the cover of a Tiffany Aching book.