Though there’ve been many versions of the Harry Potter books published, this is the first time the series has been illustrated in such detail. The books are published in both the U.S. and U.K. under a joint partnership between Scholastic and Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury Children’s Books also made a statement, expressing how Kay’s beautiful work has connected with readers. We wish Jim Kay the best with his mental health and look forward to seeing the work of the artists who will close out the series. Bloomsbury Children’s Books said, ‘Working with Jim on these wonderful books has been a magical experience. Readers feel a deep, emotional connection to his work, appreciating the stories in new ways as they marvel at the richness and artistry of each piece. We feel so grateful and privileged to have enjoyed Jim’s vision of the wizarding world, and recognise the staggering amount of dedication and work it represents. We will miss collaborating with Jim enormously, but he will always have a very special place in our Harry Potter family of unparalleled illustration talent.’

Harry Potter Box Set in epic style, with illustrations by Mary GrandPré and cover art by Kazu Kibuishi Bloomsbury is a leading independent publishing house. The children’s division publishes books for children and young adults in print, eBook and audio. It publishes across preschool, picture books, fiction and non-fiction. Its award-winning, diverse list includes authors such as J.K. Rowling, Benjamin Zephaniah, Katherine Rundell, Neil Gaiman, Renée Watson and Sarah J. Maas, and illustrators such as Chris Riddell, Emily Gravett, Rikin Parekh, Kate Pankhurst, Jim Kay and Tom Percival. For more information go to www.bloomsbury.com J.K. Rowling has received many awards and honours for her writing. She also supports a number of causes through her charitable trust Volant and is the founder of the children’s charity Lumos. For as long as she can remember, J.K. Rowling has wanted to be a writer, and is at her happiest in a room, making things up. She lives in Scotland with her family.The illustrated Harry Potter books were on a yearly cycle until Goblet of Fire, which was published two years after Prisoner of Azkaban. The longer wait between the two books was no surprise, because the fourth book in Rowling’s series is drastically longer than POA. A longer book means more illustrations are needed, and Kay simply needed more time. Each Harry Potter Illustrated Edition represents a huge and unique creative endeavour to bring to life the magic of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. Bloomsbury is exploring exciting new directions in illustration for the last two stories in the series. There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror? It's not just the upcoming O.W.L. exams; a new teacher with a personality like poisoned honey; a venomous, disgruntled house-elf; or even the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Now Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts. Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.

We feel so grateful and privileged to have enjoyed Jim’s vision of the wizarding world and recognise the staggering amount of dedication and work it represents. We will miss collaborating with Jim enormously, but he will always have a very special place in our Harry Potter family of unparalleled illustration talent. Meanwhile, there’s another set of illustrated Harry Potter books on the go, created by the films’ graphic design team, MinaLima. Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima just announced that their version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be coming next year. That’s a long wait, but it’s absolutely understandable. Creating all of these gorgeous illustrations takes time, and since there will probably only be one set of Illustrated Editions ever created, we understand Kay needs lots of time to create a perfect set of books.When Bloomsbury Children’s Books published the first Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2015, readers were instantly mesmerised by Kay’s magical and rich evocation of the Boy Who Lived. J.K. Rowling said at the time, ‘seeing Jim Kay’s illustrations moved me profoundly. I love his interpretation of Harry Potter’s world, and I feel honoured and grateful that he has lent his talent to it.’ The series established itself as an acclaimed international hit, with fans eagerly awaiting each new instalment. Those in industries such as tourism and merchandising happily go with the lucrative flow, but others have sometimes wondered what all the fuss is about. After all, Harry Potter was not the first book about a young wizard or life at a magical boarding school. For example, The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper (1973) features a boy who on his eleventh birthday discovers that he has magical powers, and as the last guardian of the Light must vanquish the terrifying evil of the Dark. In A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (1968) a boy is sent to a wizard school where he meets an aristocratic rival. Eva Ibbotson’s The Secret of Platform 13 (1994) features a forgotten door at King’s Cross station which is the entrance to a magical kingdom, and a protagonist being raised in the normal world by a family that doesn’t treat him well. There are also The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy (1974-2018), Diana Wynne Jones’s Chrestomanci chronicles (1977-2006), Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series (1983-2015) and Anthony Horowitz’s Groosham Grange (1988). But what version should you read? With the profusion of editions now available it can be difficult to know which books you might want to buy or gift unless you have already spent some time shopping around. Below, our Children’s Editor surveys the options and makes a personal selection of the most beautiful editions. A date for the next Illustrated Edition has yet to be announced, but do sign up to our newsletter here to hear the latest news.

This is a stunning visual feast of a book, filled with dark magical delights for both fans and new readers alike. Breathtaking scenes, iconic locations and unforgettable characters await inside – Luna Lovegood, Professor Umbridge, Grawp the giant, and many more – as Harry Potter and Dumbledore's Army prepare for the coming battle against Lord Voldemort. Perfect for Potterheads of all ages! And as if we weren’t spoiled enough, there’s another Illustrated Edition in the works: MinaLima, the graphic artists behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies, will release an illustrated edition of Book 1 this October. Judging by the fact that it says “Year 1” on its spine, it’s possible that MinaLima intends to illustrate the entire series. Early First Look Two of the Harry Potter spin-off books by Rowling, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, have also had Illustrated Editions published in recent years. The Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition will arrive October 2020 — that’s the year in between GOF and OOTP. Artist Jim Kay, who has been bringing the wizarding world to life through Bloomsbury’s Harry Potter illustrated editions, has announced he will be stepping down from the role to focus on his mental health. Kay has illustrated five Harry Potter books, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which was published in 2015.For a special gift you might go for a box set, in red for Gryffindor, blue for Ravenclaw, green for Slytherin or yellow for Hufflepuff. Pay attention if you are buying the box set online as some sets don’t include all seven books. The fifth book in the beloved, bestselling Harry Potter series, now illustrated in brilliant full color.

Seeing Jim Kay's illustrations moved me profoundly. I love his interpretation of Harry Potter's world, and I feel honoured and grateful that he has lent his talent to it' - J.K. Rowling

20th Anniversary House Editions