Alexander McCall Smith’s Pictorial Book Covers

Hi Mairiuna!

First, let me tell you that I absolutely fell in love with Arnold Lobel’s illustration “Books to the Ceiling” that we can see inside your post: “First Steps in Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street… Very original rendering of a house full of books!

As we are both great book lovers, no wonder this charming illustration depicting a stylized cat reading a book gave me such an “emotional kick” 😉

Whiskers & Rhymes Arnold Lobel

Second, I thought it would be fun, to follow your steps in the colorful presentation of the 44 Scotland Street series written by the popular Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith, and showcase other book covers that I have on my bookshelf.

The runners-up for the series, ‘No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series’ are:

Book Covers From Alexander McCall Smith 'No1 Ladies' Detective Series'

Cover Artist for the first book in the series, ‘The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ is designer Barrie Tullet. Photograph by Sandy Grant.

Cover Artist for the fourth book in the series, ‘The Kalahari Typing School For Men’ is designer Stuart Midgley. Photograph by L.H. Grant.

Cover Artist for the sixth book in the series, ‘In The Company of Cheerful Ladies’ are designers Barrie Tullett and James Hutchison. Top photography is from Karen Duthie/Alamy, while the clothesline photo is under by Xing Productions and L.H. Grant copyright.

From the French version of this same series, I happen to have these two books:

Published by Editions 10/18 in the collection grands détectives,  ‘Vague à l’âme au Botswana’  (2004)  is the translation of ‘Morality For Beautiful Girls’ and  ‘Mma Ramotswe détective’  (2003)  is the translation of  ‘No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’.

If I’m not mistaking Mairiuna, I think you have different book covers as well?  Was there not a dragon depicted on one of them?

Alexander McCall Smith Mma Ramotswe detective Editions 10-18 collection 'Grands Détectives' 2003

Mairiuna:  Not a dragon, Janice, but a crocodile ;-).  YES it’s an African crocodile and one which does ring a bell, doesn’t it? Or should I say that it rings a clock for it seems to have swallowed up one like the crocodile in Peter Pan, the famous book by JM Barrie 😉

Alexander McCall Smith The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency back cover Abacus 2008

Alexander McCall Smith The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency front cover Abacus 2008

I like this kind of colourful and naive illustration which we can see on the Abacus English and 10-18 French editions. The artist is Hannah Firmin.

In 2004 she won Best Book Cover of the Year at the British Book Awards for her cover of Alexander Mccall Smith book ‘The No.1 Ladies’ Detective’ series. She also illustrated the covers for the rest of this series.

Below is a mosaic of the first eight volumes of ‘The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ series.

'The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency' - Inner front cover - Abacus 2008 Edition

Eleven out of the twelve book covers of the series are designed with the same attractive, naive and colorful style.

Just for the pleasure of the eyes, I will add them below:

Janice:  Thanks so much Mairiuna for sharing these gorgeous book covers! Wow…what a treat!

Now, let’s take a look at the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club‘ series.

Below is the 2005 English version dust jacket of  ‘Friends, Lovers, Chocolate’ novel, alongside the 2006 French version book cover of  ‘Amis, amants, chocolat’.

It is very interesting to notice that book covers differ depending from which country they are published. Would be nice to research all countries publication.

Well Mairiuna, I guess we shall wrap it up here or else we’ll still be uploading book covers when the dawn breaks! 😉

Enjoy all!

Talk soon.

Janice