The merger of Penguin Books and German-owned Random House has received much media attention in October. In a recent Guardian article, Oliver Wainwright muses about the beauty of Penguin Books. Readers who are fond of Penguin's iconic jacket design that reflects both continuity and change may be concerned about the future of that "wonky penguin, hastily drawn from life at London Zoo by the office junior" (Wainwright, 2012).
The Guardian has compiled an online gallery of 10 famous designs, from the classic colour bands to illustrations by Banksy and Shepard Fairey. Alternatively, check the Library Catalogue and explore covers and content of the green series (crime) in the General Library on level 2. Furthermore, Phil Baines' book Penguin by design: a cover story, 1935-2005 gives insight into the history of the Penguin look.