UPDATED: Bloomsbury launches Harry Potter Book Night!

by · October 10, 2014

Today Bloomsbury Children’s Books has announced some rather exciting news – they are launching a new Harry Potter Book Night! We briefly mentioned this before in our review of the new Jonny Duddle editions, but now it has been officially announced. The first Harry Potter Book Night will take place on February 5, 2015.

The event will

give new and existing fans a chance to share the wonder of J.K. Rowling’s unforgettable stories and most excitingly, to introduce the next generation of readers to the unparalleled magic of Harry Potter. You are hereby invited to embrace the magic and banish the midwinter blues!

In order to celebrate, Bloomsbury is

inviting schools, bookshops, libraries and community groups to host early-evening events in celebration of Harry Potter Book Night. Bloomsbury is creating a complete Harry Potter Book Night [k]it – available for free download – offering hosts everything they need to plan an unforgettable evening.

Kits will be available HERE, as well as more details about the night, and you can sign up now to receive the kit and updates as the night draws closer.

Public events will also be taking place in London and across the UK, with plenty of chances to get involved with the celebrations, including competitions. The event will also be celebrated across the world.

Emma Hopkin, the children’s managing director at Bloomsbury, says,

At Bloomsbury Children’s Books we were keen to find a way that allowed young and old alike to celebrate  J K Rowling’s seven iconic Harry Potter stories and decided to launch Harry Potter Book Night. We’re looking forward to joining up with existing fans to celebrate the brilliant storytelling of Harry Potter and to pass the magic on to the next generation of readers.

Jonathan Douglas, the director of the National Literary Trust, further says,

What a wizard event to hook young readers in to J.K. Rowling’s fabulous collection of stories! Series fiction can be a great route into reading, especially for reluctant readers, and Harry Potter Book Night is a great opportunity for a whole new wave of readers to start engaging with the brilliantly drawn characters whose adventures have absorbed so many children and adults over the years.

You can read the full press release below, with more details about the upcoming event.

How exciting! This sounds like the perfect opportunity to celebrate our love of all things Harry Potter, banish any winter blues, and introduce a whole new generation to the magical world of Harry Potter. Are you going to get involved?

Start planning your Harry Potter Book Night now, and let us know how you’re planning on getting involved.

If you missed it, don’t forget to check out our exclusive interview with Jonny Duddle, the illustrator of the new Harry Potter editions that were released in September.

UPDATE:

Bloomsbury have revealed that a very special edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be released  on February 12, 2015. It will retail in the UK at £20. Although no pictures are available yet, the website states that:

This gift edition hardback, presented in a beautiful foiled cloth slipcase decorated with brand new line art by Jonny Duddle, is the perfect introduction to Harry Potter.

You can see more details and sign up to receive an email notification of when the book can be ordered here.

Press Release

IT’S TIME TO PASS THE MAGIC ON!

Bloomsbury Children’s Books to launch Harry Potter Book Night

February 5th 2015 will see the first ever Harry Potter Book Night. This exciting event will give new and existing fans a chance to share the wonder of J.K. Rowling’s unforgettable stories and, most excitingly, to introduce the next generation of readers to the unparalleled magic of Harry Potter. You are hereby invited to embrace the magic and banish the midwinter blues!

Bloomsbury Children’s Books is inviting schools, bookshops, libraries and community groups to host early-evening events in celebration of Harry Potter Book Night. Bloomsbury is creating a complete Harry Potter Book Night Kit - available for free download - offering hosts everything they need to plan an unforgettable evening. The kit will include invitation templates, an event poster, games, activities and quizzes as well as ideas for dressing up and decorating the venue. The kit will be available from the new website harrypotterbooknight.com. Event hosts can register now at the site to receive the kit and updates in the run up to the big night.

In addition to the community events outlined above, there will be public events in London and key regions, a major competition for UK and Irish schools and many further treats and surprises – all celebrating J.K. Rowling’s seven iconic Harry Potter books – to be revealed soon.

Bloomsbury Children’s Books will be marking Harry Potter Book Night on February 5th in their key territories, giving fans across the world an opportunity to join in the celebrations.

Bloomsbury is working closely with Harry Potter partners on plans for the inaugural Harry Potter Book Night, and this interactive celebration joins the new Jonny Duddle jackets, Harry Potter book festival events and the Jim Kay illustrated editions publishing October 2015 as part of a wider strategy from Bloomsbury to pass the magic of these unique adventures on to as many readers as possible.