Bloomsbury have sent over a new illustration showing Harry Potter in the cupboard under the stairs from the illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The book, illustrated by Jim Kay, is out on 6th October 2015. Pre-order your copy now at Amazon (US) or Bloomsbury (UK)!
This will be the first fully illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter novel. The hardback edition will include ribbon marker, head and tail bands, illustrated endpapers and colour on every spread. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone:Illustrated Edition will be published in more than twenty-one languages around the world. All co-editions will include Jim Kay’s stunning artwork and join the UK and the US in bringing this edition of the book to life. It is set to be the landmark publishing event of 2015.
Fiona Noble of the The Bookseller has said: “I’m willing to call this the most handsome and desirable gift book of the year. It is stunning … with full colour illustrations throughout from Greenaway Medal winner Kay, who breathes incredible life into these much-loved characters and locations, staying faithful to Rowling’s vision but revitalising the story for a new generation.”
This morning, Bloomsbury have sent over the cover for their new illustrated edition of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, due to be released on October 6, 2015. View the cover in high resolution in the gallery. You can pre-order the book at Waterstones (UK) and Amazon (US).
Illustrated by Jim Kay, Kate Greenaway Medal winner, the front cover image shows Harry Potter beside the majestic Hogwarts Express.
Published globally on 6th October 2015 this will be the first fully illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter novel. The hardback edition will include ribbon marker, head and tail bands, illustrated endpapers and colour artwork on every spread. The illustrated edition will be published in more than 21 languages around the world. All will be using Jim Kay’s artwork and will be joining the UK and the US in bringing this beautiful edition to life.
It is set to be the landmark publishing event of 2015. Fiona Noble of the The Bookseller said: “I’m willing to call this the most handsome and desirable gift book of the year. It is stunning…with full colour illustrations throughout from Greenaway Medal winner Kay, who breathes incredible life into these much-loved characters and locations, staying faithful to Rowling’s vision but revitalising the story for a new generation.”
The Harry Potter novels have now sold approximately 450 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 78 languages. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was voted the nation’s favourite children’s book in a 2013 poll by reading charity Booktrust.
This morning Bloomsbury sent over brand new artwork from the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: Illustrated Edition. Illustrated by Jim Kay, the image shows the front of Flourish & Blotts the bookshop on Diagon Alley where Harry buys his first set of school books. The image appears on the front of Bloomsbury Children’s Books New Titles catalogue (Jul-Dec 2015) and is part of a larger illustration of Diagon Alley that will appear in the finished book. You can pre-order the book at Waterstones.
Published globally on 6th October 2015 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: Illustrated Edition will be the first fully illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter novel. The hardback edition will include ribbon marker, head and tail bands, illustrated endpapers and artwork on every spread. Many of the original Harry Potter publishers around the globe will be joining the UK and the US in bringing this illustrated edition to life – and it is set to be the landmark publishing event of 2015.
The illustration may be seen in the gallery with a preview above. The description from the book that inspired the artwork is as follows:
“They bought Harry’s school books in a shop called Flourish & Blotts where the shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather; books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk; books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all. Even Dudley, who never read anything, would have been wild to get his hands on some of these.” Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Bloomsbury also sent over a Q&A with the illustrator:
How did you feel when you found out you would be illustrating the Harry Potter novels?
Scientists say the Big Bang is to be followed by the Big Crunch, I feel I have firsthand experience of this theory, for hearing the news that I’d got the commission was an explosion of delight, followed instantly by an implosion of brain-freezing terror. From my point of view it is, without doubt, the best commission you can be given – I’m a bit of a control freak, so to be given the opportunity to design the characters, the costume, the architecture and landscapes to possibly the most expansive fantasy world in children’s literature, well lets just say I’m extremely excited about it. However, I am also mindful of the huge responsibility this represents, I just want to make sure I do the best job I possibly can.
Is there a particular character or scene that you are looking forward to illustrating?
It’s like trying to choose the shiniest object in Aladdin’s Cave; you pick up one treasure, and another gem catches your eye. I couldn’t even pick a favourite creature at the moment (maybe a Thestral, or a Bowtruckle, but then the Goblins are wonderful characters, mind you there are Trolls too – you see my problem!). It’s been lovely thinking about casting the characters, but at the moment my favourite task is creating Hogwarts – it’s the first time I’ve thought about building something supported by magic – it’s harder than you’d think.
How do you as an artist approach such a large job? Where do you begin with such a wide range of possibilities?
It sounds obvious but you start with the text. The story is everything, and so I want to bring what I can to really show the depth of Rowling’s stories, to their best. Then it’s a case of research, and lots of it. The books have made me look at people differently, I’m always scanning crowds for interesting faces. For an illustrator there’s no such thing as an ugly or odd looking person – they are all interesting. Luckily for me, Kettering is home to some very interesting people indeed. Museums and Libraries are my favourite places for inspiration. You might see something, it could be a medieval shoe, an old clock, or a stuffed monkey, and immediately it gives you ideas about the characters in the story, the things they would do, the way they walk. The tricky thing I’ve found is my annoying habit of reigning in the more fantastical elements of my sketches when working them up, it’s taken a while for it to sink in that for this commission I can go a little bit crazy. Above my desk, the words ‘It’s Fantasy, Stupid” are now a daily reminder to have a bit of fun.
Are you a Harry Potter fan? If so, what are your first memories of reading the books?
I AM a Harry Potter fan, although true to form, I arrived a little late to the party. I actually heard Steven Fry’s wonderful audio book of Philosopher’s Stone before reading it, initially because I’d sat on a tube train full of school children who were chatting about Potter with great excitement. It was actually the recollections of starting a new school that really connected with me (we moved house when I was young, and I had to start at a big school where I didn’t know anybody). As an adult I’d forgotten how hard school actually was, and it all came flooding back – particularly when reading The Order of the Phoenix – the dread of exams! It’s amazing to think, all of Potter’s world, the streets, the shops, the creatures, the characters, all of these wonderful things come from the brain of one person. To me, that’s magic, some grey matter in someones head inspires others to read, play, and create ideas of their own. It’s like a spell that jumps from person to person, recasting itself as it goes. I want to keep that spell going, perhaps adding my own little twist, if possible. I hope over the years we will see lots of different illustrators having a go, in the way that Alice in Wonderland has inspired artists for over a century.
Who is your favourite character from the Harry Potter universe?
This is like trying to choose your favourite record, it changes all the time. I have a soft spot for Neville, particularly because of his awkwardness, but you have to admire Hermione, because she puts the hours in at the Library, she’s the cement really that holds it all together, well it would be a different story. I want to know more about Severus, there’s so much depth there. Visually, though, it has to be Hagrid; he’s got a wonderful heart, clothed in an enormous, shabby body. Hagrid’s Hut is, for me, like an extension of his physique: it makes him a part of Hogwarts, but keeps him at a distance too.
What were your favourite books as a child?
I remember sitting up in bed, with a copy of one of Willard Price’s “Adventure” series in my hands, and on my lap a colossal book of facts such as ‘The Encyclopaedia of Natural History’. You see, Willard’s books were ripping yarns about two brothers who got into all sorts of scrapes searching for rare and exotic animals in far-flung places. So I’d read about their adventures, then swot up on the animals they found. Those fact books were so heavy, I couldn’t feel my feet after a few chapters, but I was in nerd-heaven, nonetheless.
Who are your favourite illustrators (either classic or modern)?
Crumbs, so many, Eric Ravilious for his paintings, Edmund Dulac for his exquisite colour, I think Alexis Deacon is an astonishing draughtsman, possibly the most gifted illustrator around, and I love the work of Ian Miller too, who produces wonderful illustrations of castles, knights, goblins and orcs. I’d love to see his version of Harry Potter; it would take a brave child to enter Miller’s Hogwarts I reckon.
How would you describe your own art style?
I tend to change my style to fit the story, which makes life very difficult, but it’s good to keep pushing yourself. If something’s not a little bit frightening, then it’s probably not worth doing. I’m still learning about illustration, and I still feel pretty new to this (this will be my third book), and I hope I never stop learning, because there are so many things I want to try – I feel I haven’t scratched the surface yet.
What tips would you offer to young people who are keen to become artists/illustrators?
I’ve met a lot of children who say they can’t draw or paint very well, and believe that a life as an artist or a designer is therefore closed to them. It’s tragic because the ideas they have are often incredible, and I think ideas are the most valuable possession of anyone in a creative industry. Drawing and painting is a bit like playing the guitar; if you practise enough you will get better with time, so don’t worry about that side of it, just concentrate on getting your ideas down, because that’s what makes you different from everybody else. And don’t forget, if you have a great idea, it will shine through the crudest of drawings, in the same way a great song might only need three chords on a guitar to bring it to life.
Do you have a daily routine when it comes to illustrating?
Well, it’s remarkably unremarkable: Get up, walk the dog, draw all day and all night, throw all of the days work in the bin, and go to bed hoping tomorrow is one of those days where something stays out of the bin. At the moment the bin is winning 3-0, I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll score a couple of away goals.
This morning, Bloomsbury have sent over 4 images from the upcoming illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which we first reported on back in December 2013. Illustrated by Jim Kay, Kate Greenaway Medal winner, the images show four major characters from the Harry Potter books – Rubeus Hagrid, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley. The photos can be viewed in high resolution in the gallery.
“To be given the opportunity to design the characters, the clothing, the architecture and landscapes to possibly the most expansive fantasy world in children’s literature, well let’s just say I’m extremely excited about it,” said Kay. “The story is everything, and so I want to bring what I can to really show the depth of Rowling’s stories, to their best.”
The book will be published globally on October 6th 2015 for £30. This will be the first fully illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter novel. The hardback edition will include ribbon marker, head and tail bands, illustrated endpapers and artwork on every spread. Many of the original Harry Potter publishers around the globe will be joining the UK and the US in bringing this illustrated edition to life – and it is set to be the landmark publishing event of 2015.
For fans in the US, you can keep up with release information on this Amazon product page. Fans in the UK, use this Amazon page.
In a new press release from Bloomsbury this morning, they’ve announced that on February 5th they will be launching Harry Potter Book Night.
February 5th 2015 will see the first ever Harry Potter Book Night. This exciting event will give new and existing fans a chance to share the wonder of J.K. Rowling’s unforgettable stories and, most excitingly, to introduce the next generation of readers to the unparalleled magic of Harry Potter. You are hereby invited to embrace the magic and banish the midwinter blues!
Bloomsbury Children’s Books is inviting schools, bookshops, libraries and community groups to host early-evening events in celebration of Harry Potter Book Night. Bloomsbury is creating a complete Harry Potter Book Night Kit – available for free download – offering hosts everything they need to plan an unforgettable evening. The kit will include invitation templates, an event poster, games, activities and quizzes as well as ideas for dressing up and decorating the venue. The kit will be available from the new website harrypotterbooknight.com. Event hosts can register now at the site to receive the kit and updates in the run up to the big night.
In addition to the community events outlined above, there will be public events in London and key regions, a major competition for UK and Irish schools and many further treats and surprises – all celebrating J.K. Rowling’s seven iconic Harry Potter books – to be revealed soon.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books will be marking Harry Potter Book Night on February 5th in their key territories, giving fans across the world an opportunity to join in the celebrations.
Bloomsbury is working closely with Harry Potter partners on plans for the inaugural Harry Potter Book Night, and this interactive celebration joins the new Jonny Duddle jackets, Harry Potter book festival events and the Jim Kay illustrated editions publishing October 2015 as part of a wider strategy from Bloomsbury to pass the magic of these unique adventures on to as many readers as possible.
Bloomsbury Publishing has today relaunched its Harry Potter website to support the new children’s editions which will be published on Monday 1st September. You can see the site at http://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/. According to a press release we received this morning:
The design, functionality and priorities of the site have been completely revamped to increase its child appeal. The new Harry Potter site uses the Jonny Duddle artwork from the new children’s editions and includes pages of information on the bestselling series as well as exciting new content from Magical Downloads to a Harry Potter Quote Generator. The site now features a dedicated area for teachers which hosts discussion guides and reward certificates for the first time in the UK.
Bloomsbury has ongoing plans to grow and develop the website by adding new games and content over the coming months, and ensure it is the living, breathing home of Harry Potter books from Bloomsbury.
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