‘Harry Potter’ Books Get a Fully Illustrated Makeover

Hermione Granger

If you’re still waiting for your letter from Hogwarts to arrive, here’s something to look forward to while you wait: the “Harry Potter” books are getting a makeover with fully illustrated editions scheduled to release in October.

With spectacular new illustrations by award-winning artist Jim Kay, the new versions of the bestselling books will be printed by Scholastic in the United States and Bloomsbury in the United Kingdom. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (a.k.a. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”) will be available beginning on October 6. One book in the series will be released each year, meaning it will take 7 years to acquire the full set. Would a time turner help ease the wait time? 

In a Q&A on the Bloomsbury site, artist Kay was asked, “Who is your favourite character from the Harry Potter universe?” His response:

“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.”

His answer only demonstrates the wide assortment of characters brought to life in J.K. Rowling’s books, and if the images here are indicative of what we’ll see in the new illustrated editions, then no doubt Harry Potter fans have something to be excited about.

(via Hypable)

Draco Malfoy