February Children’s Literary Cafe: Book Jackets

Book Jackets: Conversations with the Artist and Art Director 

They say not to judge a book by its cover but some people work hard to create those covers in the first place.  How do they come about?  What goes into the process?  Who’s behind them?

In this Literary Cafe we speak to artist John Rocco and Art Director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Laurent Linn.  John and Laurent will discuss how an illustrator and an Art Director work together to create many of the book jackets you see on your bookstore shelves today.  Join us for a fascinating discussion that truly takes you behind the scenes of some of your favorite titles.

John Rocco has been a creative director in the entertainment industry (working, amongst other things, as the pre-production art director for the film Shrek ).  His own picture books include Wolf! Wolf!, Moonpowder, and Fu Finds the Way.  His covers have included the Percy Jackson Lightning Thief series by Rick Riordan, Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, and many others. 

Laurent Linn is the Art Director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.  Laurent is a freelance designer, illustrator, and book designer.  His clients have included everyone from The Jim Henson Company to Fisher Price to TV Guide.

This program will be held in the Berger Forum on the library’s second floor.  Enter the library through the front door and ask at the Information Desk for directions.   Attendees who are interested in Rocco’s work may wish to attend an exhibition of his artwork at Books of Wonder on Saturday, January 30th from 12-2 p.m.  For more information click here.

The Children’s Literary Café is a monthly gathering of adults who are fans of children’s literature.  Professionals, librarians, authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, teachers, and anyone else interested in the field are welcome to attend our meetings.  The Literary Café provides free Advanced Readers galleys, a rotating series of talks with professionals in the field, and great conversation.  This program is for adults only.