Board book vs Hardcover

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Board book vs Hardcover

If you are a book lover, also known as bibliophile, you might find the following words very familiar.

A paperback. Hardcover. Or a board book.

Simply, different types of books that are available in bookstores and libraries.

Normally, choosing among the three really would not be a big deal, especially if you only own the book for the sole purpose of reading its content or story.

However, some people are very particular about this, and I understand why.

One reason is because they care about taking good care of the quality of their books.

Longevity also comes into the equation here. As such, they have to always know whether or not the edition of the book they want to buy is available only on paperback or if hardcovers are also available.

Another thing to consider is who the book is intended for and especially, if kids will be using it.

There are important difference that distinguish the types of books.

Paperbacks

We all know what a paperback is: these are books that have a soft cover.

The cover is only slightly harder than the rest of its pages but still very bendable.

The cheapest and most common types of books you will find in a library or book shop.

That’s the easy part.

But what about hardcover vs board book?

What is the difference between hardcover and board book types?

They kind of seem like the same thing.

But there is a major difference.

Hardcovers

Hardcover books, also known as hardbound, are the next step up from paperbacks.

These books that have really thick and durable covers.

The covers of a hardcover book are usually made out of cardboard covered with various materials such as cloth or leather and printed on acid-free paper.

The rest of the pages are generally made of standard thin paper material.

Sounds fancier and it is.

Serious book collectors would usually prefer hardcover books compared to paperbacks precisely because they are more durable.

In addition, accounting to the hardcover’s thick material, publishing houses would usually be more artistic with them.

Hardcover books usually make use of the flaps for additional information and content. Some hardcover books will have an additional paper flap to conceal the cover.

Apart from the title of the book, the back cover is where the blurb is, a short description of the book’s content. Behind that back cover, one may see the author’s autobiography. This is usually the standard positioning, but publishing houses are allowed to change it from time to time.

Due to the nature of the cover, hardcover books are usually more expensive when compared to the paperback editions. It is also often the first edition being released by publishing houses.

Then, when sales go down, publishers will release the paperback editions for sale.

What about board books?

Board Book

A board book, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like. It is a book made out of thick paperboard. Compared to hardcover books where only the cover is hard and durable and the pages are still made out of the standard material and texture of paper, the entire book, down to the pages, are made out of paperboard for board books to be able to withstand wear and tear.

Not all books can be published this way, though.

Most of the time, board books are exclusively used for children’s books precisely because the entire book is more durable.

We all know that children do not handle material things very well as they do not understand their value yet. As such, children can easily tear of pages of hardcover books, perhaps just leaving the covers intact. With board books, children will have a hard time tearing the entire book apart.

Do you agree with our article on the differences between board books and hardcovers?

Let me know in the comments below.