She's backed up by studies saying as much. At a time when general readership in the U.S. has been dropping, art like the award-winning book covers Alcaino designs could make a difference.

Art directors at The Washington Post commissioned ... For additional context, check out the previously published stories in which the illustrations originally appeared in print and online, or ...

"Anyone looking at the illustrations to the Christmas books after A Christmas Carol and expecting similar images to Mr Fezziwig's Ball is going to be disappointed," says Dr Michael John Goodman ...