A book cover refers to the outer protective casing or jacket that encloses and contains a printed or bound book. It serves as an important marketing tool, designed to attract potential readers by showcasing visual elements such as artwork, photographs, illustrations, or text that convey information about the content of the book. The cover also provides protection for the pages inside from damage, wear and tear, and other environmental factors. In essence, a book's cover is its first introduction to potential readers, and it plays an important role in determining whether someone will pick up the book or not.