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.

This morning, British Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury has announced they will be releasing a new hardcover edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. You can pre-order the book for £22.50 on Bloomsbury’s website. This gift edition hardback, presented in a beautiful foiled cloth slipcase decorated with brand new line art by Jonny Duddle, is the perfect introduction to Harry Potter for new fans and a great item for those who already love Harry. The book will be released on February 5th.

This announcement comes as Bloomsbury is preparing for their “Harry Potter Book Night, ” which we reported on back in October. They have also released some new details on the book night, which can be read below:

• Major schools competition launch: We have just launched a major new competition for schools in the UK and Ireland, to win an illustration workshop with the new official HARRY POTTER illustrator Jonny Duddle PLUS a money-can’t-buy wall art. Plus, the winning child will get a hardback box set of the new editions of HARRY POTTER and a signed Jonny Duddle print. 6 runners-up will each win a paperback box set of books and a signed Jonny Duddle print.

How do you enter? In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, Ron shows Harry the cards that come inside packs of Chocolate Frogs. Bloomsbury wants YOU to create your own witch or wizard card for a school. To find out more visit harrypotterbooknight.com/schoolscompetition

• We have teamed up with First News who are offering a free edition of First News (30th January edition) to all UK schools who will be running a Harry Potter event on 5th February. This edition will include an exclusive 8-page Harry Potter pullout which would be great to have at your Happy Potter event.

• Schools can also take part in the action with a range of brand new discussion guides for the series, which outline ideas for discussion and other activities for use in the classroom or in a reading group.

While out promoting his new film Paddington, which was released in the UK back in November and will hit US theatres on January 16th, David Heyman briefly discusses the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films and reveals that production designer Stuart Craig will be back for the films. Stuart was the designer for all the Potter films as well as Universal’s theme parks.

“The experience of conjuring up these worlds is such fun.  So to do it with [Rowling] and with Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram is involved too, and with David Yates, and Stuart Craig will be designing it; it’s great.  It’s exciting, and it’s a great world to return to.”

He also revealed that shooting will begin this Summer: “We will shoot later on this year.  The plan is to shoot late summer.”

On the subject of casting he say: “Early, early, early days.  Really early days.  I mean we’re at the very beginning.”In regards to three films he states: “We’re making just one film, but I believe there’s been talk about it being three. But we’re just talking about it as one.”

Thanks to Hypable for the tip!

Universal has released details on how to win tickets to their Social Media Meet-Up taking place during A Celebration of Harry Potter at the end of the month.

The lucky winners and their guests will tour the grand marble hall of Gringotts Wizarding Bank with Alan Gilmore, Art Director for a number of the Harry Potter films and visionary for the new attraction in Diagon Alley, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Then descend into the bank vaults to meet with MinaLima, the design team responsible for bringing the Daily Prophet, and more, to life. There will be a chance for Q&As at both stops before you embark on an adventure as you ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. There may even be another surprise or two along the way…

January 8: Twitter
Click the link below to Tweet us with “I wish to enter my vault! #HPCelebration” to enter for your chance to win one of six credentials for you and a guest to join the Social Media Meet-Up during A Celebration of Harry Potter.

Tweet Us Here

January 13: Facebook

Next Tuesday, January 13, we’ll ask which house the Sorting Hat has placed you into – just comment with your Hogwarts house for your chance to win one of six credentials for you and a guest to join the Social Media Meet-Up during A Celebration of Harry Potter. If you don’t know which house you’re in, head over to Pottermore.com to find out and get ready to share it with us in the comments!

January 15: Instagram

Next Thursday, January 15, we’ll post a photo of hot Butterbeer. To enter for your chance to win one of six credentials for you and a guest to join the Social Media Meet-Up during A Celebration of Harry Potter, double-tap if you’d like to take a sip of hot Butterbeer in Diagon Alley!

Be sure to gulp down some Felix Felicis before you enter and good luck! 

Date: Friday, January 30, 2015
Packet Pick-Up: Universal Studios Arches: 8:30–9:30 AM
Meet-Up Check-In: Universal Studios Arches: 5:00–6:00 PM
Social Media Meet-Up: Diagon Alley: 6:00–7:30 PM
Each winner will receive:

• General Parking at Universal Orlando Resort
• A one day, two-park ticket for the winner and their guest
• Access to the A Celebration of Harry Potter Social Media Meet-Up

Make sure to check out Universal’s blog for official rules and more information.

The Universal Orlando blog has announced that they will be having a social media meet-up during A Celebration of Harry Potter. The blog says:

Over the coming week, you’ll have a few opportunities to win a credential for you and a friend to attend a special Social Media Meet-Up that will provide an inside look at some of the art and artistry that has brought Harry Potter to life in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The lucky winners and their guests will tour the grand marble hall of Gringotts Wizarding Bank with Alan Gilmore, Art Director for a number of the Harry Potter films and visionary for the new attraction in Diagon Alley, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.

Then descend into the bank vaults to meet with MinaLima, the design team responsible for bringing the Daily Prophet, and more, to life. There will be a chance for Q&As at both stops before you embark on an adventure as you ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. There may even be another surprise or two along the way…

So, how can you take part in the magic? We’ll detail out all of the ways to enter on Thursday on the Universal Orlando blog.

A Celebration of Harry Potter Social Media Meet-Up
Date: Friday, January 30, 2015
Packet Pick-Up: Universal Studios Arches: 8:30–9:30 AM
Meet-Up Check-In: Universal Studios Arches: 5:00–6:00 PM
Social Media Meet-Up: Diagon Alley: 6:00–7:30 PM

Each winner will receive:

• General Parking at Universal Orlando Resort
• A one day, two-park ticket for the winner and their guest
• Access to the A Celebration of Harry Potter Social Media Meet-Up

Due to popular demand, this February half-term, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will give visitors the chance to meet the animal actors who starred in the most successful film series of all time!

This half-term, visitors to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will get the chance to meet the animal actors who starred in the most successful film series of all time. From Friday 13^th to Wednesday 25^th February, a selection of animals will team up with their trainers to showcase their acting skills and take part in live training demonstrations.

A menagerie of owls, cats and a toad will return to the incredible sets they ‘acted’ on during production; led by Head Animal Trainer Julie Tottman, who helped create the performances of more than 250 live creatures throughout all eight Harry Potter films.

Visitors to the Gryffindor common room set will find it occupied by a Red Persian cat that played Hermione Granger’s bandy-legged feline Crookshanks. He will be joined by a Maine Coon cat that portrayed Filch’s partner-in-crime Mrs Norris and the 14-year-old toad that played Neville Longbottom’s pet Trevor.

Outside Privet Drive, visitors will be able to pose for a picture with a Snowy Owl that played Harry Potter’s loyal companion and post-delivering bird Hedwig. Animal Trainers will hold flight demonstrations throughout the day on the Studio Tour’s backlot, showcasing the techniques they used during filming.

A parliament of performing owls will be stationed on the wizarding shopping street set, Diagon Alley, including the Great Grey Owl that played the Weasley family bird Errol and the tiny Little Owl that portrayed Ron’s companion Pigwidgeon.

Feathered and furry facts:

• Although owls are generally considered to be wise, they are, in fact, notoriously difficult to train and can take up to three months to learn what a raven can master in a week.
• The scene which required the largest number of birds to ‘act’ was the owlery scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Trainers took on the difficult task of teaching almost 80 owls to hoot, fly and sit still at the same time
• Initial groundwork for animal training takes about three to five weeks; when a script first arrived, the Animal Department would begin fundamental training, develop questions and ideas about how the scenes would be shot and then work with the director to finalise training plans.
• Crackerjack, one of the cats that played Crookshanks, became very good friends with one of the rats that played Scabbers. In fact, he would often chase the rat around the sets even when the cameras weren’t rolling.
• Animals appeared in the Harry Potter film series in some unexpected places. Themed breakfast cereals, including Lunfrey’s Cheeri Owls and Honeydukes’ Pixie Puffs, were created especially for the films by Graphic Designers Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima.

The Studio Tour’s Animal Actors feature will run from Friday 13^th to Wednesday 25^th February and all additional activities are included in the standard ticket price.