Embracing the Joy of Children's Literature:
Why Adults Need a Cover That Welcomes Them
In a world where reading is often pigeonholed by age, the idea of adults enjoying children’s books can feel unexpectedly fraught — especially when the cover itself seems to set clear boundaries. Bright colors, cartoonish fonts, and overtly youthful illustrations may signal “not for you” to older readers, even when the content inside holds just as much depth and resonance as any literary novel. Yet children’s chapter books are filled with wisdom, imagination, and life lessons that speak directly to the adult soul. They offer the kind of imaginative reset we don’t often grant ourselves — a reconnection to curiosity, to awe, to the magic of seeing the world anew.
This tension between audience and aesthetic is exactly what inspired the latest evolution of The Lost Relics Mysteries series. With the audiobook release of The Whispering Amulet coming in January 2025, I knew it was time for something more than just a new edition — it was time to reimagine how the stories are visually invited into readers’ lives. The project is called Beyond the Cover, and it’s a creative experiment in breaking down those age-based barriers.
The first step? Designing a new set of covers that speak to both children and adults, with a particular focus on the crossover power of Young Adult design.
YA cover aesthetics have long mastered the balance between wonder and weight. They carry the emotional intensity of youth while remaining visually sophisticated — bold yet grounded, mysterious yet elegant. By leaning into that space, I hope to create a visual language that bridges the gap between children's literature and adult readership. These new covers honor the coming-of-age themes and character arcs that naturally evolved within the series — stories of growth, courage, identity, and the quiet power of self-discovery.
Design-wise, this means exploring:
Textured, minimal backgrounds that echo the tactile charm of vintage books, while still feeling modern.
Symbolic central motifs (like the embroidered golden koi) that carry layered meaning, instead of overt illustrations.
Elegant typography that whispers rather than shouts — evoking intrigue, not instruction.
By incorporating these choices, the covers retain their youthful charm while offering a level of mature aesthetic sensibility that invites adult readers in — without condescension or disguise. Whether on a bedside table, a library shelf, or carried on a train ride, the books feel like they belong anywhere.
Ultimately, the Beyond the Cover project isn’t just about graphic design. It’s about permission — giving adults the space to read freely, joyfully, and without apology. It's about creating a visual bridge into stories that don’t have to be age-gated — stories that, like the best kinds of magic, grow with you.
So if you're someone who’s ever hesitated to pick up a “kid’s book” because of how it might look in your hands — this is your invitation. Let the cover welcome you in, not hold you back.
More about the project — including early concept art and behind-the-scenes musings — can be found in the full blog article and on my Patreon page.
Adventure, mystery, and a little bit of magic await. All ages welcome.