Skip to content

MuggleNet

  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Bloomsbury / J.K. Rowling / News / PS/SS

MuggleNet Preview: “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” Illustrated Edition

by Claire Furner · June 7, 2015

In just under four months, on October 6, the Jim Kay-illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be available to own. We’re sure many of you have already pre-ordered a copy, available from both Bloomsbury (UK) and Scholastic (US), to add to the collection. However, many more are still divided; is this book going to be for the life-long Potterheads, casual fans, or for youthful first-time readers?

Well, hopefully, MuggleNet can help you answer that since we were recently invited along to Bloomsbury HQ to a bookseller preview of the first book. Hot off the press – they have literally only just started arriving back from the printers – roughly bound copies were available for our perusal under the watchful eyes of the Bloomsbury team!

SO WHAT IS IT?

Illustrated stories can come in all shapes and sizes, from picture books to graphic novels, so what exactly does Bloomsbury mean by “illustrated edition”?

Well, first and foremost, in this case, the images are there to accompany the text. They never overpower it but add to and complement it in numerous forms. There are full- and half-page images, some of which vividly depict the scene you are reading and others that merely show a character or object found in the text. Furthermore, there are images that embellish and adorn the text. The placing of all the creations, how some seem to burst from the page while others blend into the background, is executed impeccably, always aiding the story and carrying you through to the next moment.

There are many pages where there are no images at all. At first, this was disappointing, but after witnessing the size of the book, totally understandable – personally, this writer is rather nervous for Order of the Phoenix! 

HOW IS IT ILLUSTRATED?

Jim Kay has a distinct, rather a classic style to his drawings, that often feels similar to the original UK Potter covers by Cliff Wright, and this approach is taken through the book. However, Kay isn’t afraid to adapt this style according to the scenes’ needs, which makes each turn of the page almost as exciting as the first time you read it. From oil character portraits to textbook sketches and digital landscape paintings, each idea has its own palette and form yet still fits in cohesively with the rest of the images. There is also a wonderful sense of fun and humor in the images – Dudley’s baby pictures are a work of art in themselves. And just wait until you see the ghosts!

IS IT CANON?

Okay, so slightly unfair; this book is just one person’s imagining of the story. However, there are a few images that we have been informed were signed off by Jo but aren’t necessarily content previously found elsewhere. We shall hold this thought for a later date, but we are sure it will provoke some debate among certain MuggleNet staff members.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Everyone – just like all the Harry Potter books!

In all seriousness, there is no denying these will make excellent additions to any Potter fan’s collection. Even the more occasional fans may be intrigued by them since they almost start again in bringing these stories to life, illustrating scenes, items, and characters missing from the films. However, they will also make for a great introduction to the stories for young readers – although a helping hand from an adult may be required to hold the book open! Far from inhibiting the imagination, the images are so emotive that they could only help stimulate it further and engross a new reader. They are, as the Bloomsbury press release rightly said, spellbinding.

Do we have you convinced? Will you be buying a copy? Let us know in the comments below, and in the meantime, check out the images that have already been revealed.

 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone IllustrationHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustration

 

Want more posts like this one? MuggleNet is 99% volunteer-run, and we need your help. With your monthly pledge of $1, you can interact with creators, suggest ideas for future posts, and enter exclusive swag giveaways!

Support us on Patreon

Social:

  • Next story EXCLUSIVE: A Conversation with Kathryn Hunter
  • Previous story Social Roundup: Rowling on a Roll

MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

July 2025

Mon, Jul 7

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 movie (London premiere)
Recurs yearly

2011

Tue, Jul 8

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book
Recurs yearly

2000

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book (UK)
Recurs yearly

1999

WWoHP Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando's anniversary
Recurs yearly

2014

Wed, Jul 9

David O'Hara's birthday
Recurs yearly

Albert Runcorn

Thu, Jul 10

Fiona Shaw's birthday
Recurs yearly

Petunia Dursley

Fri, Jul 11

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie (US)
Recurs yearly

2007

MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.

Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.

Did You Know

Michael Jackson wanted to make Harry Potter into a musical.

Potter History

January 5, 2008 – Warner Bros. announces that all of their films, including the Harry Potter series, will only be produced in Blu-ray, thus immediately ending the HD-DVD/Blu-ray war.

Potter Quote

“Malfoy’s got detention! I could sing!”

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fansite.
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
© 1999–2025 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback


MuggleNet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Bookshop.org's affiliate program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and bookshop.org.