Updated ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Book Announced, Featuring New Beasts!

Today we discovered a new edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set for publication, which will feature a foreword by Newt, line illustrations, and six new beasts!

J.K. Rowling herself updated the original copy, resulting in a new, collectible hardback edition which will be part of the Hogwarts Library. Proceeds will still go to Comic Relief and J.K. Rowling’s charity, Lumos.

The hardback is available to pre-order in different designs at the following book sellers:

Bloomsbury, with a wonderfully intricate and fun dust-jacket:

“A brand-new edition of this essential companion to the Harry Potter stories, with a new foreword from J.K. Rowling and an irresistible new jacket by Jonny Duddle and line illustrations by Tomislav Tomic.”

This collectible hardback has been revised & updated by J.K. Rowling, bringing the original classic book up to date: https://t.co/r812JIiOWD pic.twitter.com/uPKdxtDghy

— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) January 5, 2017

Pottermore explains that the following cover (which is similar to the screenplay design) was created by Olly Moss exclusively for the eBook version of the updated Hogwarts textbook:

The new edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them will feature a foreword by Newt and six new beasts! https://t.co/6ENab9rwGo pic.twitter.com/0RfNH2mT9V — Pottermore (@pottermore) January 5, 2017

Scholastic’s more sleek jacket is designed by Headcase Design – we reported on this new cover – including their make-over of the entire Hogwarts Library collection – back in November:

The new edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them will feature a foreword by Newt & six new beasts! More: https://t.co/VOW5DWRgzFpic.twitter.com/2S182oVa9B

— Scholastic (@Scholastic) January 5, 2017

Pottermore reports on the new edition:

“As well as proving to be an indispensable creature compendium to Harry, the book has enchanted readers’ imaginations ever since. And like any diligent author, J.K. Rowling has revisited the original text to bring it in line with recent developments in the Wizarding World. We won’t ruin the surprise of which beasts these will be, but let’s just say there may be a few familiar faces. Or snouts. Or beaks.”

And J.K. Rowling cleared up a question about the new beasties to be included – an Obscurus is a dark force formed of repressed magical energy, rather than a creature or beast:

An Obscurus isn’t a creature… https://t.co/O3bsc4ObZ5

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 5, 2017

This edition is set to be published on 14th March. Pre-order links can be found over at Pottermore here.

UPDATE:

A press release from Bloomsbury on their edition told us the following information:

“This immensely collectible hardback has been revised and updated by J.K. Rowling, bringing the original classic book up to date with new content that reflects the exciting developments in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World and the blockbuster film release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

New beasts lurk within the pages of this edition and eagle-eyed readers will have fun spotting them among the much-loved favourites. J.K. Rowling’s new introduction, written from the viewpoint of Newt Scamander, offers tantalising hints about the Magizoologist’s adventures and relationships, and Tomislav Tomic’s beautiful line illustrations bring many of the beasts to roaring, stomping, growling life. 

Jonny Duddle’s new bright and colourful jacket design creates a cohesive look that complements the covers of the seven classic Harry Potter novels, as well as the new look Quidditch Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.”

They also gave more information about their cover designer (Duddle) and illustrator (Tomic): 

Tomislav Tomic lives with his young family in Croatia. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Art in Zagreb, 2001. He loves making picture books and had already had work published when he was in high school. His exquisite, intensely detailed pen and ink drawings, based on the renaissance engraving style, perfectly illustrate tales of magic and fantasy with an appeal to adults and children alike.

 Jonny Duddle is best known for his award-winning picture books, including The Pirate Cruncher and The Pirates Next Door (winner of the Waterstones Children’s Prize and shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize). He has a background in the computer games industry and is highly skilled at character development. His work has appeared in Aardman films and Terry Pratchett novels. He was commissioned by Bloomsbury to create new jackets for the Harry Potter novels in 2014.