Bloomsbury Children’s Books unveils new illustrated Harry Potter series for 2025, Pocket Potters

Bloomsbury Children’s Books has announced the "first-of-its-kind” Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the Harry Potter Stories by JK Rowling from new illustrators, due August 2025. 

The publisher described the series as “a highly collectable series of must-have, magical gift books featuring favourite witches, wizards and creatures from the wizarding world, illustrated in full colour by an exciting range of up-and-coming, international talent”.  

The Harry Potter edition is illustrated by Devon-based Natalie Smillie, Ron Weasley by Ukraine-born illustrator Olia Muza and Hermione Granger by Laura Proietti, who is based in Italy. 

With 25 languages confirmed, the Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the Harry Potter Stories series "will launch with a massive global campaign, including high-impact advertising, a dynamic social campaign, creative and interactive point of sale for bookshops and libraries, and Harry Potter Book Day events on 12th October to engage children, families, superfans and gifters around the world", Bloomsbury said.

The Pocket Potters series continues in 2026 with a further four books publishing, including Professor Albus Dumbledore illustrated by Paola Escobar, with more titles planned.

Bloomsbury conceived and developed the books in close partnership with Rowling’s agents The Blair Partnership, from whom they licensed world rights (excluding the US). The three books are 32 pages each, retailing at £10. 

The publisher said: “A first-of-its-kind series of official companion books, the Pocket Potters will launch in August 2025 with three titles – Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger – with more to follow in 2026 and beyond.

“The series is perfect for getting to know JK Rowling’s iconic and much-loved characters, with humour and mischief in every book as well as masses of magical Potter info, from spells and wand fun to fantastic beasts and brilliant Hogwarts moments. The books are bright and accessible with easy-to-read labels, chunked text and engaging pictures designed to delight a core audience of seven to 10-year-olds, plus plenty of rich detail and Easter eggs for older readers and lifelong fans to spot and enjoy.”

The Pocket Potters series will “be brought to life by a range of illustrators, showcased within an instantly recognisable and collectable series livery, with each artist bringing their own creative vision to the wizarding world,” Bloomsbury said. 

Mandy Archer, head of Harry Potter Publishing, says, ‘After the extraordinary worldwide success of our official companion book, The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac [published October 2023], it was wonderful to witness the joy readers took in seeing the wizarding world visualised in new and imaginative ways.

"At a time when reading for pleasure is at a concerning low, our audience research studies highlighted a generation of enthusiastic younger fans at the start of their Harry Potter reading journey who were eager to engage further with their favourite witches and wizards. This combined insight inspired the Pocket Potters series – affordable and playful character guides in kaleidoscope colours that fans of all ages can read, share, gift and collect.’