Two 25th-Anniversary Editions of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” to Be Released in 2022
To celebrate 25 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published back in 1997, Bloomsbury is launching two 25th-anniversary limited-edition books.
Back in August, it was confirmed that a special 25th-anniversary edition of Philosopher’s Stone will be released on June 9, 2022, which will feature “the original, iconic 1997 cover image of the Hogwarts Express, illustrated by Thomas Taylor.”
This very special limited edition will include exclusive new bonus material that will bring back countless memories for nostalgic fans whilst inviting a new generation of readers to share in the excitement and magic of the last 25 years.
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” 25th-anniversary edition
It has now been confirmed that in addition to this special version of the original edition, on January 20, an updated silver anniversary paperback edition of Philosopher’s Stone with Jonny Duddle’s cover illustration will be released, emblazoned with lightning strike silver foil livery.
This beloved classic edition has been refreshed and updated, with fun extra content to entertain young readers as they begin their journey through the stories.
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” 25th-anniversary Jonny Duddle edition
Continuing the celebrations, Harry Potter Book Night will take place on February 3, taking the theme of magical journeys, for which Bloomsbury has created an event pack.
Bloomsbury have created an exclusive Event Pack (available now to download) bursting with party tips, enchanting games, bewitching activities, crafts, recipes, costumes, quizzes and easy-to-make design ideas for all your favourite modes of transport inspired by the Harry Potter stories: such as the Hogwarts Express, broomsticks, or maybe even a Thestral for witches, wizards and [M]uggles to embark on a magical journey of their own!
Have you started planning for #HarryPotterBookNight yet? Witches and wizards from all around the world are invited to take a magical journey through enchanting games, magical crafts and bewitching activities. Register for your free event kit here: https://t.co/S1sOFBiqLH pic.twitter.com/H2mXlaW1B9
— Bloomsbury UK (@BloomsburyBooks) December 15, 2021
Also taking place on February 3 is the launch of Bloomsbury’s anniversary campaign with the National Literary Trust: Miles of Magic: The Harry Potter Book Relay and the Harry Potter Reading Challenge.
This ambitious partnership will see a single copy of the silver anniversary classic paperback edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone travelling to 25 primary schools around the UK between February and June. The book relay will begin on Harry Potter Book Night at the Manchester Central Library, with three local primary schools taking part in a magical day of Harry Potter activities. This special book will then travel ‘relay style’, covering ‘Miles of Magic’ as it journeys from school to school, gathering children[‘s] and teacher[s’] memories of reading Harry Potter for the very first time on postcards that will then form part of the anniversary celebrations in June.
The Harry Potter Reading Challenge will invite schools throughout the United Kingdom to “take part in their very own Harry Potter reading adventure with a downloadable challenge-o-meter map [that] will illustrate the key points on a magical reading journey, which are also charted as stages in a reading log.”
Bloomsbury will also donate 800 copies of the Jonny Duddle anniversary edition to schools through the National Literacy Trust’s Young Readers Programme, which supports children who live in disadvantaged areas and are unable to read at their expected level, to “develop their love of books and reading identity through a series of fun events focused on book choice and reading for enjoyment.”
With these anniversary editions and the long-awaited release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, 2022 is set to be an exciting year for Potter fans, and there is more yet to come.
World Book Day also turns 25 in 2022, and it is partnering with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for a “double celebration” on World Book Day (March 3). More will be revealed about this intriguing event in the new year. Plus, there is “more to come in [a]utumn 2022, with more magical Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone activity to be announced.”
We can’t wait to discover what is yet to be announced about these exciting events, but in the meantime, will you be getting your hands on one of the special limited editions? The special 25th-anniversary edition featuring Thomas Taylor’s cover is available for preorder now.
