Hartenjagen #[nn]

Maaike Hartjes's Hartenjagen arrives from Oog & Blik / De Bezige Bij in 2009 with a cover that immediately charms — designed as a playing card, it features two round, simply drawn characters in the style of a classic Queen of Hearts: one crowned and smiling at the top, holding a pencil and painter's palette, and one frowning at the bottom (inverted, as playing cards go), framed by bold red hearts and the title on a yellow ribbon banner. Every line, from the cheerful linework to the bold red-and-white palette, is the work of Hartjes herself, giving the whole package a playful, handcrafted personality that draws you in before you've even opened the cover.