Allen & Unwin
Award for Best General Cover 2026
Finalist
Cover Designer: Design by Katrina Duncan, illustration by Sophie Watson
Title: Three Wee Bookshops at the End of the World
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand
Format: 216 x 135 mm, 320pp, section-sewn hardback. Printed on FSC Yulong creamy woodfree stock. Case is Wibalim Buckram over board with matt varnish.
Typography: Hand lettered title created by illustrator Sophie Watson. Font of typed text – Feijoa
Publisher’s Brief:
“We wanted a beautiful hardback to reflect the stories of Ruth’s brave, quirky, fascinating life, and we wanted the cover to encapsulate the romance of the bookshop – in this case, a group of three tiny bookshops in the deep south of Aotearoa NZ.
We asked the illustrator to create a sense of remoteness, which she achieved with the tiny shops and the big forest and the couple with their dog; but also a sense of warmth, knowledge and welcome. The limited palette she used glows and adds to the feeling that this is a special book to be savoured.”
Judges’ Comments:
“A warm and inviting cover that draws the reader into Ruth’s world and her bookshops. It is thoughtfully composed, with careful consideration given to the placement of the title and back-cover blurb, creating a balanced design. The typography complements the illustrative style beautifully, resulting in a cohesive and harmonious cover. Printing directly onto book cloth elevates the overall production, adding a tactile quality that gives the impression the artwork has been painted onto the cover itself.”
