I have this conviction (based on nothing but nostalgia really) that the last decent decade for children's book jacket design was the 60s (and maybe hanging on into the 70s). I have some really beautiful paperback and hardback editions - I have the same edition of A Little Princess as you and Bel.
But even though the 80s were naff, and the 90s were ugly, I dislike both those decades far, far less than the current fashion for making everything look like an extension of the Bratz franchise.
As Bel pointed out: I suppose the problem with children's books as it labels the book immediately as being for girls and not all girls, just the ones who would identify themselves with the colour.
It's really saddens me, and I find it awfully depressing. When I buy gifts for family and friend's kids, I steer very carefully clear of items that are gendered by colour and deliberately choose books, toys, clothes that both boys and girls are likely to find bright and cheerful and beautiful. It's easy enough to do that with picture books - I don't know what I'll do when I want to start giving out copies of my favourite classics if they're all pink and sparkly!
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But even though the 80s were naff, and the 90s were ugly, I dislike both those decades far, far less than the current fashion for making everything look like an extension of the Bratz franchise.
As Bel pointed out:
It's really saddens me, and I find it awfully depressing. When I buy gifts for family and friend's kids, I steer very carefully clear of items that are gendered by colour and deliberately choose books, toys, clothes that both boys and girls are likely to find bright and cheerful and beautiful. It's easy enough to do that with picture books - I don't know what I'll do when I want to start giving out copies of my favourite classics if they're all pink and sparkly!