Harry Potter is to have company around the world this Christmas. On 14 October Bloomsbury Children’s Books in the UK is to publish Christmas at Hogwarts, a new, illustrated hardback, and the title is to be launched in 31 countries globally, with Scholastic publishing in the US.
The text is taken from the book that started it all, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, with illustrations by Beijing-born artist Ziyi Gao, who worked on the role-playing video game Harry Potter: Magic Awakened. She said the book will take readers on “an immersive visual journey”, adding: “Like countless children worldwide, I grew up immersed in the pages of Harry Potter, believing that my magical dream could one day become reality.
“Though the owl delivering my acceptance letter to Hogwarts missed me, I consider myself immensely fortunate to have become one of the illustrators for this beloved series of books, contributing to the construction of its world with my own vision. In this book, I have woven together elements from the enchanting wizarding world and traditional Christmas festivities. I wish to bring an immersive visual experience for every child and adult longing to spend a happy Christmas alongside Harry and his friends at Hogwarts.”
Mandy Archer, head of Harry Potter Publishing, saidsaid: “This gorgeous gift book tingles with the very special sense of excitement, joy and magic that only comes at Christmas time. The story of Harry Potter’s first wintry school holiday is the perfect gift for families to put under the tree this December – and, we hope, the start of a new reading tradition to celebrate every year. Bloomsbury Children’s Books are delighted to be publishing Christmas at Hogwarts, and welcoming Ziyi Gao to our wonderful family of Harry Potter illustrators.”