Bloomsbury to Release ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ Illustrated Edition in Paperback!

Today, Bloomsburg Publishing announced its intention to release the popular Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone illustrated edition in paperback! The hardback edition, wonderfully brought to life through the art of illustrator Jim Kay, was an instant success when it first hit shelves in 2015–and now fans will have access to the same magic in a smaller, more manageable format “perfect for young readers.”

According to Bloomsbury’s press release, the new edition will be available in stores Aug. 23 featuring a brand new cover design and a pull-out poster of the Norwegian Ridgeback! Adapting the incredible book to a smaller format did necessitate some changes to the content, detailed as follows:

“The paperback contains 65% of the original artwork from the hardback illustrated edition, which will continue to be available. Key artwork will remain including Jim Kay’s stunning rendition of Diagon Alley and the character portraits that fans have loved so much.”

So while select illustrations have been omitted in order to fit the paperback format, Bloomsbury assured fans that the majority of Kay’s whimsical art, including beloved favorites, will remain. The official statement also confirmed that the paperback will, of course, retain J.K. Rowling’s complete text, the definitive first entry into the wizarding world and introduction to the Boy Who Lived.

Read Bloomsbury’s announcement and view the beautiful new cover below. (Don’t forget to click on the Instagram post and tab through the gallery!)

REVEALED: the paperback of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustrated Edition, by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay. Featuring a new cover and a pull-out poster of the Norwegian Ridgeback, the smaller format is perfect for young readers. Out 23rd August, preorder link is in our bio. The paperback contains 65% of the original artwork from the hardback illustrated edition, which will continue to be available. Key artwork will remain including Jim Kay’s stunning rendition of Diagon Alley and the character portraits that fans have loved so much. We have redesigned the book to suit this appealing smaller format while showcasing Jim Kay’s glorious illustrations and J.K. Rowling’s complete text.

A post shared by Bloomsbury Publishing (@bloomsburypublishing) on Mar 16, 2018 at 5:02am PDT

Bloomsbury’s move to begin adapting illustrated editions to paperback follows on the heels of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them textbook’s successful release in the same format. Newt Scamander’s encyclopedia of magical creatures was updated March 14, 2017 with six additional beasts, a new foreword and line illustrations, as well as new cover art from Jonny Duddle. The paperback of this edition then came to stores Jan. 25, 2018. 

The paperback edition of FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM will be unleashed on 25th January with gorgeously shimmery snakeskin detail on the foil effect jacket ?? https://t.co/48NV7oju7Rpic.twitter.com/8TUv4Mhh1b

— Bloomsbury Kids UK (@KidsBloomsbury) January 20, 2018

We presume Bloomsbury will continue this trend, eventually releasing other illustrated editions and companion books in paperback as well. In the meantime, Jim’s Kay illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban are still available in hardback.

The hardback illustrated edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Olivia Lomenech Gill is also in stores after being released Nov. 7, 2017, and Leaky previously reported on Bloomsbury’s upcoming release of a new The Tales of Beedle the Bard edition, illustrated by award-winning artist Chris Riddell. Bloomsbury stated:

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce Chris Riddell will be illustrating a full-colour edition of J.K. Rowlin’s THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD sold in aid of the author’s international children’s charity Lumos. Publishing on 2nd October 2018, this classic from the Wizarding World will be gloriously reimagined in a large colour gift edition by the multi-award-winning Riddell. We can’t wait!”

Absolutely thrilled to announce @chrisriddell50 will be illustrating a full-colour edition of @jk_rowling‘s #TheTalesofBeedletheBard -Oct 18 pic.twitter.com/VGqPdrjV3d

— Bloomsbury Kids UK (@KidsBloomsbury) October 9, 2017

So update your wish list to include the upcoming Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone illustrated edition in paperback, as well as the highly-anticipated The Tales of the Beedle the Bard illustrated hardback. Or, head to your local book store and walk the aisles to see the many other magical volumes already available–they await a hallowed spot on your bookshelf!