Bloomsbury, Scholastic Unveil Covers of Upcoming Illustrated Editions of “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”

by , · May 17, 2018

Today, both Bloomsbury Children’s Books and Scholastic have revealed the covers of upcoming illustrated versions of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling. Though the editions will be illustrated by different artists – Bloomsbury’s by Chris Riddell, a three-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, and Scholastic’s by Lisbeth Zwerger, recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for lasting contribution to children’s literature – both are utterly gorgeous!

The editions will also be released a week apart, with American readers having to wait a week longer for illustrated Beedle the Bard goodness. The Chris Riddell edition will be released on October 2, 2018, and the Lisbeth Zwerger edition will be released on October 9, 2018. Both cover reveals were made by their publishers on social media with understandable excitement.

 

 

 

Here’s some information about Riddell’s cover from Bloomsbury’s press release:

The cover brings together some of the main characters from the five wizarding fairytales [sic] in the book, including [‘]Babbitty Rabbitty and the Hopping Pot[‘]. Much loved by generations of witches and wizards since they first appeared in the fifteenth century, this beautifully illustrated edition is set to become a firm favourite at bedtime in non-magical households the world over.

Scholastic has not issued a press release for Zwerger’s cover, but we think it speaks for itself. Without further ado, here are the new covers!

 

 

 

You can preorder the Bloomsbury edition here and the Scholastic edition here.

Proceeds from the sale of both editions will go to J.K. Rowling’s own international charity, Lumos.

Click here to take a look at our original announcement of the new illustrated edition. You can also click here to get a first look at some of the illustrations from the Bloomsbury edition.

Which cover do you prefer – Bloomsbury’s or Scholastic’s?

Press Release

News release – Thursday 17th May 2018 – 10:00 a.m.

BLOOMSBURY REVEALS COVER FOR NEW ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF J.K. ROWLING’S The Tales of Beedle the Bard

‘Beedle is to the wizarding world what Hans Christian Andersen is to Muggles’ Sunday Times

Bloomsbury Children’s Books today reveals the cover of the full-colour Illustrated Edition of J.K. Rowling’s The Tales of Beedle the Bard illustrated by Chris Riddell. The cover brings together some of the main characters from the five wizarding fairytales [sic] in the book, including Babbitty Rabbitty and the Hopping Pot. Much loved by generations of witches and wizards since they first appeared in the fifteenth century, this beautifully illustrated edition is set to become a firm favourite at bedtime in non-magical households the world over.

Publishing on 2nd October 2018, The Tales of Beedle the Bard Illustrated Edition features show-stopping illustrations for all five tales and Dumbledore’s accompanying notes. Chris Riddell, three times winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, bestselling author and former Children’s Laureate, brings J.K. Rowling’s text to life with beautiful ink and watercolour artwork.

Mischievous and witty, these five rollicking tales are a deeply satisfying read in the tradition of all great fables and fairytales. Kindnesses are rewarded and selfishness shown to be the ruin of many a wizard. Burping cauldrons, hairy hearts and cackling stumps are met along the way. Each of the tales is accompanied by a deliciously subversive and insightful commentary by Professor Albus Dumbledore. Translated from the runes by Hermione Granger, The Tales of Beedle the Bard also includes ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers’, familiar to readers of Harry Potter from the crucial role it played in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Proceeds from the sale of this edition will go to J.K. Rowling’s own international charity Lumos, which helps some of the world’s most vulnerable children and young people to have a better life.

Hi-res cover image and full press release attached here. Inside artwork examples available on request to Ian Lamb.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard Illustrated Edition written by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Chris Riddell

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I've been making magic at MuggleNet since 2012, when I first joined the staff as a News intern. I've never wavered from the declaration in my childhood journal, circa October 2000: "I LOVE Harry Potter! If I clean my room, my mom says she'll make me a dinner a wizard would love!" Proud Gryffindor; don't hate.