Scholastic to re-release all 7 ‘Harry Potter’ books with new covers, ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ unveiled today

By Andrew Sims (@Sims) at 9:19 am, February 13, 2013

The United States publisher of the Harry Potter books announced today that the paperback editions of J.K. Rowling’s series will have new covers in September 2013.

These new covers are designed by Kazu Kibuishi, and you can see the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone cover below. The publisher says these new covers are in honor of the series’ fifteenth anniversary.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone new cover

EDIT: Want the extremely high-res version? We’ve uploaded it here. It was 10 MB in size, we scaled it down to 2.5 MB. Still huge. We’re so afraid of its bandwidth that we didn’t even upload it to Hypable’s server.

Says Kibuishi about taking on this prestigious honor, “When I was asked to submit samples, I initially hesitated because I didn’t want to see them reinterpreted! However, I felt that if I were to handle the project, I could bring something to it that many other designers and illustrators probably couldn’t, and that was that I was also a writer of my own series of middle grade fiction. As an author myself, I tried to answer the question, ‘If I were the author of the books – and they were like my own children – how would I want them to be seen years from now?’ When illustrating the covers, I tried to think of classic perennial paperback editions of famous novels and how those illustrations tend to feel. In a way, the project became a tribute to both Harry Potter and the literary classics.”

According to a press release, “the seven new covers will depict a distinctive and memorable moment from the respective book. The collection, which will also be released in September as a boxed set, will offer new readers just reaching the age to begin the series a glimpse of J.K. Rowling’s magical world and the epic story they are about to enter.”

The hardback and digital versions of the books will still use original illustrator Mary GrandPre’s art.

Scholastic also confirmed today that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through The Ages, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be released as a Hogwarts Library Box Set for the first time in the U.S. this November.

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http://twitter.com/Dillon_Mays Dillon Mays

No. The originals will always be the best and they shouldn’t be replaced, updated, or reinterpreted.
- https://twitter.com/slasher777 Alex
  
  It’s a shame I only have one upvote to give you.
  - http://twitter.com/Dillon_Mays Dillon Mays
    
    :)
Alice

Alas, more moneymaking. Though, I have to admit, I do like this new cover. Very magical!
- DarrensGirl
  
  My thoughts exactly
- Plat
  
  New artwork/editions of books are made all the time. People have the thought in their head that a business is a crime. At least they aren’t blasting up the price.
http://twitter.com/emilyecstasyTM Emily Bryan

Of course the originals will be the best TO US, but for the next generation of readers, this is what they will be familiar with. I personally love the cover. I can’t wait to see the rest, and wouldn’t mind owning the set. Especially for lending, because I’ve only lent my books out ONCE xD
- http://www.facebook.com/chiry23 Ryan Nolan
  
  Exactly. And at least they’ve never printed covers with Dan, Emma, and Rupert on it with the glossy photos of the movies in the middle of each book. I’m counting my blessings
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17127641 Laura Jurgensmeyer
    
    ^ this.
  - http://twitter.com/emilyecstasyTM Emily Bryan
    
    I agree. I hate books with the movie poster/actors/etc on the cover, it ruins my ability to form my own look for the character. I couldn’t read Dear John without seeing Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried because of the copy I acquired.
  - Glaciusx
    
    That’s what I love about the books. They’re a separate entity from the movies; in other words – sacred.
- Dylan Fox
  
  I agree. Everyone is being sour grapes! I think we’re all too young to be complaining about “change” in preference for the “traditional.” Keep an open mind! This cover isn’t my cup of tea, but all great books get an updated cover. It’s a way to keep it modernized. It might not be out of the utmost respect for the literature itself to change it simply to appeal to the market, but that is how businesses work. Resisting change solely because it is change or “not how it is or was originally done” (i.e. appeal to tradition, a fallacy) is the reason many people still do not believe in same-sex marriage or any other “conservative” conviction.
Daughter of Eve

Why not just release a book with Mary GrandPre’s illustrations for the books instead of changing the cover every few years?
- Plat
  
  15 years isn’t every few years. They probably wont do another re-release for quite some time.
http://twitter.com/RyanHBP Ryan Floyd

I think the new cover is gorgeous. Change is always good, and it’s only the paperbacks, and so many copies of the books have already been sold so it’s not like the original artwork is going to disappear off the face of the earth.

Also as a Canadian, we get the UK covers and it’s a popular opinion here that the US covers have always been a bit childish (I personally think Mary GranPré’s artwork is beautiful, but what can you do). I like seeing the covers grow up a little bit!
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Maria-Wang/542480760 Maria Wang
  
  Agree about the US covers being childish – the art style of the first few books put me off, the later book covers were so much better. The new covers look amazing.
  
  My fav cover has always been UK Order of the Phoenix. Fawkes (i’m assuming it’s Fawkes) looks magnificent on the UK cover.
- Dylan Fox
  
  They are, of course, children’s books, even by Rowling’s definition. I’m not sure why making the Harry Potter cover art “childish” is some sort of criticism when they’re for all intents and purposes kids’ lit. I loved GrandPré’s artistic interpretations as well. I never liked the UK covers. I always thought the art a bit ugly. Maybe that’s just me. I’ll take cubism over realism any day.
  - ncnapper92
    
    Oh wow, I never understood why my friends wanted the British editions other than their lack of the letter ‘z’ and their increase in the letter ‘u’. They are so bland looking. I prefer the artsy and magical GrandPre ones.
    - <3HP
      
      I agree. I absolutely love the U.S covers; they’re part of the whole experience to me, and really define the personality of the series.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=646947665 Megan Slife

While I agree that the originals will always be the best.. Making the covers more modern will make them more approachable for kids. Kids judge a book by it’s cover and if this makes more children read them, then go for it.

That being said, I REFUSE to buy the books again just because of a new cover.. My wallet can’t handle this.
- Plat
  
  You don’t have to, like you said, it’s for the next generation of readers, lol.
- RumbleroarLuna
  
  That’s true, it wasn’t until third grade I read them because I didn’t like the covers (I don’t know why, looking back, they’re pretty awesome. A bit childish, but still awesome. It might’ve been because the colors were a bit darker than the books I liked reading at the time), combined with the fact I had seen part of the CoS movie and Harry’s bent arm freaked me out. And Aragog. But more his arm.
http://www.facebook.com/emma.himmelhoch Emma Himmelhoch

Omygoodness Its so pretty and I need new copies of most of my books!!!
toons

I want him to head up the cartoon series!!! Serieously, this is how I would want an animated look to HP to be, with all the detail they can cram in, all the side stories and all the magic!
http://twitter.com/Scott_Learmonth Scott Learmonth

The original covers of the series are the best. Not the American originals. The original covers. AKA The UK covers.
- Jim
  
  I don’t understand. Sorry, but the characters on the UK covers always look like they’re like, “Huh? Wut up wid dat?” if that makes sense. Have you really looked at the Deathly Hallows UK cover?
  - Dylan Fox
    
    I agree with you. I like many HP covers from different countries, but the characters on the UK covers always have this dopey expression. I really like the Swedish covers. I think the UK covers are a little too realistic. I like something a little artsy!
- Plat
  
  That’s not really relevant, they aren’t changing the UK ones, and this is about the ones in the US, so it doesn’t really matter.
LCTerrill

I HATE that secondary font…it looks like a beginner’s graphic design project.
- Megan
  
  Thank you!! As a pre-Graphic Designer, I would never ever use that font. It’s terrible!
  - anon
    
    *typeface
- Glaciusx
  
  It’s so obnoxious!
r

eh not as tasteful as the old ones
Helen

Its a lovely cover, but I feel like it fails to capture the continuity and most significant aspects of the first book and the series. Though its a nice nod to Harry’s first moments in the wizarding world, as it is also the reader’s first journey into it as well.

Speaking wrt to the American cover, remember the brilliant parallels between the first book cover and the final book cover? While Kibuishi could obviously do something similar, I think I’ll always remember the Harry Potter book series with the original US art. But ah well, if new paper back covers keeps the interest in Harry Potter going for younger generations to READ, I’m all for it.
- http://www.facebook.com/chiry23 Ryan Nolan
  
  What if he were to do something like the trio walking to rob Diagon Alley in the last book? That might complete the circle pretty well
http://www.facebook.com/aaccss Alex Smith

I’m obvs not buying a new set/any of these. However, what’s wrong with the new covers? The old ones were printed enough to be found if someone wants to buy a book with the original cover. This just gives more variety, and something new to look at. I’m all for it.
Cristina M

Maybe it’s just my phone screen… But is his hair the wrong colour?!
http://hypable.com John Thrasher

From a design and editorial standpoint the subtitle font is HIDEOUS. I also hate that they’re changing the covers…the original artwork for the Potter series, to me, was just as much a part of the experience. The one piece of visual we all recognized as a fandom.
- http://www.facebook.com/kevin.landeen Kevin Landeen
  
  Agreed. I am not excited about this . . .
- Plat
  
  Book artwork is updated all the time. The important part is what’s inside, and as long as that never changes.
briannasdaddy2008

Cool, I think I but the new set for my daughter!
- briannasdaddy2008
  
  buy* (grrrr)
ravenclaw1991

I love the artwork, but I don’t like the font.. This is not going to make me go out a buy the books again. I already have two sets with the original covers.
njandro625

Books are reprinted with new covers all the time. Sometimes it is to making money, but mostly the point is to make the books relevant again. There are no new HP books or movies coming out, so they have to do something to bring in new fans.
http://www.facebook.com/michael.molina.334 Michael Molina

hedwig looks HUGE! damn bird turned into an eagle now?
- http://twitter.com/Jenetikitty Jenetikitty
  
  Snowy owls are huge! they have a wingspan of something like 4 and a half feet! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_Owl
  - http://www.facebook.com/michael.molina.334 Michael Molina
    
    my childhood is a LIE!
- Plat
  
  Snowy owls are actually about that big.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1128995453 Lauren Spellman

The old covers are just so iconic! I can;t even imagine them changing the cover for the 7th book. Remember how we picked that cover apart when it was first released? I

This cover just looks like an illustration of SS, not a book cover. You can’t just make a drawing and call it a book cover, there’s way too much going on in this cover.
Lizzie

Scholastic!! What are you doing to me! I already want the british editions of all the books, the sweedish editions (I don’t know sweedish but the artwork on them is beautiful) and now I am going to want these!!
- Lizzie
  
  *need these
http://darkesword.com DarkeSword

Need a textless version for phone wallpaper purposes.
Ben

I love it!
hazel

Getting new covers happens to nearly ALL classic literature. Any book that’s been in print for significant number of years will new covers. It just seems weird to older HP fan because it’s hard to put in in the same category as like seeing Pride and Prejudice with a new cover. But really it isn’t any different.

And I’m never going to complain about seeing scenes from one of my favorite book series get drawn afresh.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17127641 Laura Jurgensmeyer

Well, looks like I’ll be buying a whole new set of Harry Potter books! I love this cover!
Tomas

Too bad it says Sorcerer’s Stone…
If they would stick to the original title and name it Philosopher’s Stone I woul buy it…
- GinnyWeasley002
  
  As an American, I desperately want to own a copy of the Philosopher’s Stone, and completely agree with you on that front. :)
  - Alex
    
    I’m sure you can get a copy from eBay!
  - Azaria
    
    I know the feeling, and trust me when I say the money you’ll spend will be worth it. When I went to the UK a few summers ago on a concert tour, I spent the better part of two days looking for a bookstore, just so I could purchase a copy of Philosopher’s Stone. Definitely check eBay. (One piece of advice: the original UK children’s covers are really hard to find. I had to settle for the new adult book cover.)
Jeff Dodge

If Mary GrandPre was doing the covers of these re-releases, then maybe I’d show a little bit of interest in buying it (not saying I would, but I’d at least consider it). We all had an emotional connection to GrandPre’s work, and since I don’t have any of that connection to this new person, I won’t be buying this.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=201409419 Angelica HufflePunch Rodriguez

can we get a hi-res of this? I’d love to use it as a desktop background!
Kiana

I actually really love the new cover. That being said, I’m not about to go out and purchase all 7 books again…
- Plat
  
  You don’t have to. This isn’t about releasing new editions for the fans, it’s about updating the look for the next generation of readers.
PotterFan1029

Wow this is really cool…I will be tempted to now buy these new covers and the whole box set, probably, but alas I must have to contain myself :/

I hope this gets even more people to read them, though. I like the cover too and I really want to see the rest of them! I will admit that when I first read this I was disappointed to hear that it was not Mary GrandPre, so it will not have her signature style, but I mean she already did Sorcerer’s Stone twice so…
http://www.eigakanthemovietheater.blogspot.com Jenny Leigh

That cover is pretty, I would definitely make it a background on my computer :p But unless my books fall apart, there’s no buying new ones!
Also I want to add that this cover has a kind of understated magical beauty to it. I think it’s the blue and white tones. The more I look at it, the more I’m in love with it!
GinnyWeasley002

As an American, I’ve always had a certain attachment to Mary GrandPre’s work, simply because that’s what I’ve grown up with. HowEVER, I’ve never really thought that Mary’s were gorgeous or anything, and chances are, I might end up buying a couple of these. :)
http://twitter.com/BilliamAnderson Bill Anderson

the fact that the covers are being changed means one thing and one thing only.
that these books are classics and they are tying to bring them to a new audience.
think about it, how many different covers are their for Pride and Prejudice? Romeo and Juliet? Jekyll and Hyde? Moby Dick?

The cover doesn’t matter. It’s the content inside the book that made this series the phenomenon that it is and that we love.
http://harrymyland.com/ Harry Myland

The art is gorgeous and I’m a little blown away that Kazu Kibuishi is doing it. I’ve been following his work for years and he’s great. So happy for him, what a job to land.

I am surprised by the secondary font, though. It’s hard to read and an unusual misstep for Kazu.

Sidenote: I’m so sick of nostalgia-ists. Nostalgites. It’s old, you remember it fondly. Guess that means it’s intrinsically better always and forever! -_-
- Plat
  
  The artwork is the only thing artists take part in. The fonts and text are the editors job.
Gabebigdog

who wants to bet that it’ll be released on September 1st. the same day when it’s a new school year at hogwarts.
- lorepottter
  
  But we will not have time to buy the book, we will be on our way to Hogwarts!!
lorepottter

Damn, we are that old? really
Winkyxx

Looks awesome! I think the colors will appeal to the youngsters.
However, I grew up with the drawings of Grandpre, so I still think those are better.
Zack

YES! YES YES YES YES YES!
http://www.facebook.com/jeffersonallves Jefferson Alves

If I were Mary GrandPre and knew that they would be changing the cover – even with my consent – I would still want for them to redo the whole thing inside (or would think that it is laziness or trying to avoid giving more money to the illustrator), why only change the cover? I hate this, why don’t they change the whole product and bring a whole new different perspective to the story using visual reference.

I honestly hate these things they do for money, it’s like we are spending away, no matter how beautiful the covers are, we won’t have the same desire to read the story again (I know many of you will think “I will read Harry Potter no matter how it looks, the content is what matters.” And I totally agree with that, but I can’t stop thinking that they could bring some more illustrations to each MOMENT of the series, so every time we flip the pages we might come across some new illustration, just like Sherlock Holmes and King Arthur (by Howard Pyle) and so many other books that have illustrations in big moments of the plot.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1840730980 Michael Vartanian

Idk how I feel about this. Make them fresh for kids, yeah, ok, but the original american covers are so iconic and this cover looks like something from PBS. I just hope that when I come around to buying the e-book it still has the original lol. #Potterprobs
DarrlynM

Really people? It’s not that serious. They aren’t “ruining” Harry Potter or your childhood memories or whatever. Lots of books get new covers, get over it. Picking at little things like the font (seriously?) is childish. And if you don’t want the books with the new covers, guess what? You don’t have to buy it so stop complaining about Scholastic wanting more money because of course they do…they are a company after all
morgen71

I like it, personally… though of course the first covers will always be my favorite.
http://www.facebook.com/kevin.landeen Kevin Landeen

While the artwork is very beautiful, it looks too cartoonish, especially Harry’s face. Not what I would have expected. Mary Grand Pre forever!
http://twitter.com/StarkidSims Simone

Well… It looks better than those last ones.
ladybirds

I love this cover. It is beautiful but it does not mean I am going to buy it. :-)
Glaciusx

These are pretty but I definitely favor the originals!!! Don’t fix something that isn’t broken….not everything needs a bloody update.
Jacob

I’m totally fine with it. The artwork is really good, and honestly, I like this cover better than the US covers of the first and second book (I don’t know why, but I never really liked them that much). The font is a little weird, and I think it would do them well to change the color of the font for every book. Just my opinion.

But seriously, I might be tempted to buy these. This one is just…magical, in a way that I think the first cover was not. (Though I will always love any cover the books come out with. It’s the content, not the cover, people!)
katie

The art is lovely, but the font and big scholastic label on the bottom gives it the feel of what I used to get from the basket when I won the summer reading game at the library. Changing the font would be a good plan.

I am glad that they’re keeping the hardcover the original US covers. To me those stand out, whereas this kind of blends in with all the children’s books. Hey, as long as it still entices kids to read the books, it’s good.
http://profiles.google.com/gfludal gfludal

I love the covers! It really captures the feeling of the world of Harry Potter!
http://twitter.com/TrueKlainer21 KLEX.

I JUST bought 5 of the books to complete my collection.. I’m glad I bought them now instead of when these new covers are released. Just wouldn’t be the same.
http://twitter.com/ArielBissett Ariel Bissett

These are beautiful! With classics like Harry Potter I think it’s great to have multiple covers. It’s always fun to go and find your favourite cover for classics like Pride and Prejudice, so why not for Harry Potter? Now that we have the originals, the american originals, the adult white versions, and these, I think there is a beautiful selection to choose from!
georgina Phelps

I’m not American, but in the UK we got a redo of the covers a couple of years ago, and they are actually beautiful. I mean, my old battered ones with the original covers mean the whole world to me, but the cover art is not great. I actually forked out and bought the new box set when it was on offer. But, I just like to look at them and show them off, and sometimes read very carefully, I still reread my old ugly books all the time because they have a special place in my heart, but I’m open to updates when it comes to covers.
Carilyn

I think it’s quite a nice cover! I like the misty blueness, and the owls (especially Hedwig stretching his beautiful wings behind Harry’s head). Kind of makes me think of that very first Sorcerer’s Stone trailer when the first thing we see is a flash of Diagon Alley. Good times.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001034209529 Lauren Dipple

this looks better, more similar to the – in my opinion – superior UK covers:)

on a side note i wish they’d use the proper title (although i do realise that that’s impossible at this stage where it is so engrained in the culture)

all in all change is good!:D
http://twitter.com/dreamfall31 Kevin Slechta

This seems like a good time for me to finally get the paperbacks!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joey-Mangum/1820064015 Joey Mangum

uhm… They’re in Diagon Alley for the first time… This might be nitpicking, but shouldn’t your newly purchased owl that doesn’t even know who you are yet belong in a cage?
grapes9h5

not bad, but Id prefer the original still
hpatdh33

I actually really love this cover, sure I love the originals but I am eager to see the other 6.
Plat

Thank goodness I finished my collection last year. That’s not to say I’m not excited about these new editions, but it’s great I have all of the original artwork.
Hagrid’s Coat

What’s going on with Hagrid’s coat? He looks like a Neanderthal version of Santa Claus!

Other than that (and floating candles outside in Diagon Alley), I love looking at this drawing. There’s so much detail!
Just Sayin’

I don’t like it.
- Just Sayin’
  
  And why is there a rabbit walking around in the bottom left corner. I don’t remember any human/rabbit hybrids in either the movies or the books.
RumbleroarLuna

I’m not sure how I feel about it. I love the cover, but at the same time I love love love the old covers for the most part, and all the little Easter Egg-type things you can find (Goblet of Fire, especially- you can see all the champions, the egg, a dragon tail, Sirius. Sorcerer’s Stone too- Snitch, Hogwarts, a unicorn, and Hagrid’s hut I believe. Also, the curtains like a stage between Sorcerer’s Stone and Deathly Hallows.) But I got new copies of the book two years ago for my birthday because the old ones were falling apart and the back was just a diamond pattern instead of the rest of the cover, and that bothered me. I do like this, though.
(Also, I feel the need to be cheeky and say the new DH cover should be the Ron/Hermione kiss or (this one is legit) Snape’s patronus. Or, you know, the Battle, but I like the idea of the patronus.)
Katiedora

I’ve always wanted the books in paperback, but couldn’t justify it (partially because of money, but mostly because I didn’t want the same covers). This gives me a reason/excuse to indulge my paperback desires.
Obviously I’m always going to prefer the originals (US ones, at least), but I’m not so sentimental that I reject these. I think it’s a cool tribute/reinterpretation/development and I can appreciate that. I’m just so glad they never put images from the movies on the books. Anything is better than that.

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Scholastic to re-release all 7 ‘Harry Potter’ books with new covers, ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ unveiled today

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