今年水石书店的最佳图书就是它。

这是一本儿童故事书，图画书。看着不像是不是？太端正典雅了吧！我这个成人很想大声表白：我！很！喜！欢！

看看内页：

再来一个：

再——来一个：

水石书店的最佳图书奖不好得到。不仅有专业评委对内容、装帧、封面、创新等项一一评分，还有广大公众的参与、那就是一次次购买累计起来的销量；还有一点与别的奖项不同，在所有的图书类别包括小说社科人文经济等等中，只能有一本获奖。去年获奖的最佳图书，在宣布获奖之后的销量增加了1000%。可见此奖的社会效力。

今年获奖的书多少有点令人出乎意料，这本名不见经传的《狐狸和星星》击败了名噪一时的哈珀-李新书《设立一个守望者》、年度畅销小说《火车上的女孩》等等强劲对手，脱颖而出。不仅因为它描述了一个“伟大美好的故事”，也因为其典雅的版式和封面设计。目前出版商企鹅集团已经紧急造货，保证英美市场圣诞期间不断货。

《卫报》对封面和内文的图片有详细的的介绍。其中提到：Although The Fox and the Star looks like a children’s book I wanted the story to be something that resonated with adults as well. The page layout and design were heavily influenced by William Blake and William Morris, evoking a sense of illuminated manuscripts and traditional fairytales. Where I felt it appropriate I playfully dispensed with the strict layout and allowed the elements to break out into the margins.

本书详细介绍，摘自水石书店官网：

From an award-winning designer comes a beautifully illustrated children’s story, a modern day classic that speaks to all ages.

Once there was a Fox who lived in a deep, dense forest. For as long as Fox could remember, his only friend had been Star, who lit the forest paths each night. But then one night Star was not there, and Fox had to face the forest all alone and learns to embrace life and the world around us. It is a book that crackles with imagination and wonder.

Beautifully created by Coralie Bickford-Smith, it is inspired by the author’s own personal experience, the works of William Blake and graphic designer William Morris. It is a work of art that deserves a place on every book lover's bookshelf, young and old.

James Daunt, Waterstones Managing Director, said: “This year a book has won our Book of the Year accolade through the impassioned advocacy of our outstanding children’s booksellers. The Fox and the Star is a book of great physical beauty and timeless quality, one that will surely join that very special group of classic tales that appeal equally to children and adults.”

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781846148507