NEW CHILDREN’S EDITIONS OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS

IT’S TIME TO PASS THE MAGIC ON...

Bloomsbury Children’s Books are to reinvent the children’s hardback and paperback editions of the phenomenally successful Harry Potter series. Redesigned inside and out, all seven books will feature covers by award-winning artist Jonny Duddle.

Along with the brand new artwork and an updated author biography, the editions will also be reset to create a child-friendly reading experience for a new generation of readers. The titles will also contain highlights from Pottermore, the digital platform for Harry Potter. All seven titles will be published on 1st September 2014.

Pottermore will publish the eBook editions of all seven books with the Jonny Duddle jackets at the same time.

Together, Bloomsbury and J.K. Rowling selected Jonny Duddle to be the new artist for the Harry Potter books. Jonny will create front, back and spine artwork for each. On being chosen to design the covers Jonny Duddle said ‘I’m hugely excited to work my way through the wonderful books. I couldn’t have asked for more enjoyable subject matter. It’s exciting, daunting and I feel the weight of responsibility, and I’m just hoping that my illustrations faithfully reflect the characters and world created by J.K.Rowling’

Jonny Duddle (right) 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.

Bloomsbury has also collaborated with Pottermore to highlight how readers can discover more about the world of Harry Potter on Pottermore.com from J.K. Rowling. This information will feature in the back of the new children’s editions.

This is only the beginning of an exciting new era for the Harry Potter books. As previously announced Bloomsbury and Pottermore will publish Jim Kay’s fully illustrated colour edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in autumn 2015. The books will be available in hardback and eBook formats and the remaining titles will publish annually from then on. Even more exciting Harry Potter plans will be announced at the London Book Fair in April.