Illustrated Potter for Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury is to publish all seven of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books with full-colour illustrations by Jim Kay.

The first in the series, an illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will be released in September 2015.

“Bloomsbury has long wished to illustrate the titles but with such a huge project it had to be done at the correct time and with the correct illustrator,” said head of children’s publicity Ian Lamb. “We selected a range of artists, discussed them with J K Rowling, and all decided Jim would be fantastic.”

Kay, who won the 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal for his work on Patrick Ness’ A Monster Calls (Walker), will design a new book jacket as well as the interior artwork. He said it was the “commission of a lifetime”.

Bloomsbury is currently talking to international publishers, and hopes the illustrated books will reach a global audience.