Are you looking for the Best Harry Potter Illustrated Book Edition? You’re in the right place. We’ve narrowed it down to the top two versions that will make your bookshelf—and your inner wizard—absolutely glow. Ready to pick your next magical read?
Harry Potter, as we’ve so often heard, taught an entire generation to fall in love with reading. The first installment in J.K. Rowling’s groundbreaking series was published in 1997. Teenagers literally lined up outside of bookstores on release days to try and buy copies. Twenty years later, the original fans are now adults and show no signs of letting go of their childhood hero, and are ready to share the series with their children.
Harry Potter illustrated books make elegant additions to Harry Potter book collections and perfect gifts for readers of all ages who love the series. Reading Harry Potter books, most of us painted pictures in our heads of each chapter. Illustrated editions give fans vivid imagery that feeds their imagination and enriches their magical journey. With so many beautiful Harry Potter illustrated book editions out there, it can be hard to choose just one. Many talented artists have created unforgettable and elaborate paintings to accompany Rowling’s writing, and most of them are still in the process of completing the series.
To help you choose the perfect one for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best Harry Potter illustrated book editions ever created.
Best Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
1. Harry Potter Illustrated Edition by Jim Key
Publisher: Scholastic and Bloomsbury
The Harry Potter illustrated book edition created by award-winning artist Jim Kay is arguably the most recognized out there. Jim Kay has so far illustrated the first 5 books in the series. The 6th book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is scheduled to be published in October 2026. However, Bloomsbury has announced that Levi Pinfold will take over the illustration of books six and seven, not Jim Kay.
His illustrated books are big and magnificent, with large, intricate artwork throughout. His artistry is somehow dark and mystical, which is why most Harry Potter fans believe Key’s work to be the most faithful to the books. Kay takes some of the most intense Harry Potter moments and draws them exactly how many of us imagined them inside our heads.
There are so many details to absorb, that every time you pick these volumes up you end up seeing something new.
2. Harry Potter Illustrated Edition by Minalima Design
Publisher: Bloomsbury or Scholastic
If Jim Kay’s work looks like the books, MinaLima’s illustrations look just like the movies. This is not surprising at all, as MinaLima is the studio responsible for the vision and graphic elements of the Harry Potter film series.
To speak of illustration is in all honestly a euphemism for these beautiful books which feature interactive animations. They are called ‘interactive’ because you can literally engage with some of the pages, from ticking clocks to other Hogwarts-style magical elements.
Going through these pages full of works of art and surprises, one realizes that the duo behind MinaLima studio may have actually invented a new printed language.
MinaLima Sorcerer’s Stone (Book 1), Chamber of Secrets (Book 2), and Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) are the only ones currently available for purchase. However, it is not know if the publisher will continue to publish each book in the series gradually, so be sure to follow their website and stay updated with the releases.
FAQs about Harry Potter Illustrated Books
How many of the Harry Potter books are illustrated?
Jim Kay has illustrated five out of the seven books in the Harry Potter series. The latest book he illustrated, “Order of the Phoenix”, was published in October 2022. The Illustrated Edition of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (book 6) has not been released yet, as Jim Kay has announced his decision to step back from illustrating the series. In March 2025 Bloomsbury has announced that Levi Pinfold will take over the illustration of the final two books, with the 6th book Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince set to be published in October 2026
MinaLima has illustrated three out of the seven Harry Potter books, with the latest being Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban published in 2022. Scholastic, the publisher, has announced that MinaLima will likely not be continuing with the illustrated editions, and the responsibility will be passed to a new illustrator.
MinaLima vs Jim Kay Illustrated Edition: which one is the best?
Both editions are excellent, but the decision depends on which style resonates more with you.
Kay’s illustrated books are very detailed, intense, large, and heavy. They are ideal for sitting at a table when you have the time to really explore and study the immense artwork. The content is more adult and dark, similar to the style of books. There are also more books available to be purchased, which is ideals for fans looking to complete their set as soon as possible.
The illustrated books by MinaLima are, on the other hand, compact, fun, and charming. They can be enjoyed anywhere, including bedtime with your kids. The covers are elegant, and the interactive elements inside the books are ingenious, appealing to both adults and children.
Best Harry Potter not-illustrated edition
Harry Potter Classic Edition by Mary GrandPré (not illustrated)
Publisher: Scholastic
If you were one of the fortunate kids of the 90s that managed to get a hold of the first edition prints of the Harry Potter series, you must be already familiar with Mary GrandPré. American artist Mary GrandPré has designed the book covers the US editions of all seven Harry Potter books. According to many, GrandPre was the first person to ever read Harry Potter books, straight off the bat, before anyone in the public saw them, in order to prepare the sketches required for the covers.
While this collection is NOT fully illustrated, it’s a timeless classic that every true Harry Potter fan owns.
Interactive Illustrated Harry Potter Editions
Harry Potter Interactive Illustrations by Karl James Mountford
Publisher: Scholastic and Bloomsbury
A new line of illustrated and interactive Harry Potter books is on the way, starting with Goblet of Fire. Slated for release in October 2025, this edition blends full-color artwork by Karl James Mountford with fold-outs, lift-the-flap pages, and physical storytelling elements designed by Jess Tice-Gilbert. It’s being positioned as a companion book for the existing illustrated editions, not a replacement. Whether this becomes a full series is still unclear, but Goblet of Fire looks like the test balloon, and early previews suggest it’s one to watch.
The book will be published on 14th October 2025, with Scholastic publishing in the US and Bloomsbury Children’s Books publishing in the U.K.
What’s your favorite Harry Potter illustrated book? What are, in your opinion, the best Harry Potter illustrated books?
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