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

Beginning in 2015 the Harry Potter books will be republished “fully illustrated”.

2015 will give us Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Sorcerer’s Stone in the U.S.) and an additional book will be released on a yearly basis until all seven are completed.

No word yet on if these editions will reach the United States or other parts of the world and with Scholastic’s recent re-release of the books with new covers it’s up in the air if they’ll be interested in releasing another edition so soon.

Rowling selected Jim Kay to complete the illustrations and released a couple of images to tease us. They look fantastic and I can only hope I’ll be able to get my hands on them once they’re released. 

The term fully illustrated is a little loose and there is currently no specification on what exactly that means. One illustration per chapter? An illustration every few pages? It’s hard to say but I hope it’s the latter, the more the better.

I love what I’ve seen of Kay’s work, the two released images are wonderful and his other unlrelated work is fantastic. I can’t wait to see what happens. The movies are great, but limited by the medium. I’d be interested in seeing some visuals for things that couldn’t make it to the screen and a more intimate and different interpretation is of course welcome. 

Jim Kay had this to say, “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. However, I am also mindful of the huge responsibility this represents. I want to make sure I do the best job I possibly can.”

You can see a few more of his works below, to get a taste of his style. His gallery is also available at his site.