New Illustrated Book “Christmas at Hogwarts” Coming Fall 2024

by · March 12, 2024

There will be more Harry Potter magic to enchant your holidays this year. Bloomsbury Children’s Books and Scholastic recently announced that a new gift book, titled Christmas at Hogwarts, will hit the shelves on October 15, 2024. The book will be available in 31 countries.

The cover of "Christmas at Hogwarts" depicts the decorated Great Hall in all its yuletide glory with three Christmas trees and a banquet table.

The cover of the book depicts the decorated Great Hall in all its yuletide glory.

Christmas at Hogwarts lovingly takes readers through 48 wonderful pages depicting Harry’s first Christmas at the castle with text drawn from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The gorgeous, full-color artwork is crafted by Ziyi Gao, a talented Ravenclaw with a deep appreciation for all things Potter. Gao was quoted on her aspirations for the project in a recent press release:

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. 

A glance at the artwork samples currently released confirms that Gao will probably achieve her goal. Each page is awash with all the magic and wonder of that first Hogwarts Christmas. Take a look for yourself at this sneak peek at the final project.

 

An illustration by Ziyi Gao for "Christmas at Hogwarts." The castle's windows are lit warmly beneath a thick blanket of snow.

A thick blanket of snow makes Hogwarts Castle even more enchanting.

 

Hagrid carries Christmas trees into the Great Hall with Professor McGonagall's supervision.

Gao nails this scene, showing Professor McGonagall authoritatively supervising Hagrid’s placement of the Christmas trees.

 

An illustration by Ziyi Gao for "Christmas at Hogwarts." Harry eats chocolate and laughs chocolate and laughs as Ron unwraps his annual Weasley Jumper.

You can just sense Ron’s dismay as he sees that this year’s Weasley jumper is maroon once again.

 

Mandy Archer, Bloomsbury’s head of Harry Potter Publishing, welcomed Gao and shared her enthusiasm over this newest publication:

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.

What she did not say but we will go out on a limb and assert anyway is that Christmas at Hogwarts will be the perfect book to curl up with after donning a cozy Weasley jumper, or perhaps while enjoying a nice slice of Christmas pudding.

The book will retail for £16.99 in the UK and $19.99 in the US. Will you be purchasing a copy in time for this holiday season?

Scholastic Press Release

“CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS” ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH FESTIVE ARTWORK FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO BE PUBLISHED BY SCHOLASTIC IN THE U.S. AND IN 31 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE ON OCTOBER 15, 2024

(New York, NY – February 28, 2024) For millions of readers around the world, Hogwarts is a magical place. Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that it will publish Christmas at Hogwarts, a heartwarming and joyfully illustrated book sure to delight readers of all ages, celebrating Harry Potter’s first Christmas in the wizarding world. With text from one of the most beloved moments in J.K. Rowling’s bestselling original novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and luminous new full-color illustrations by Ziyi Gao, the 48-page jacketed hardcover (ISBN 9781546129950; $19.99 U.S.; All Ages) will be published simultaneously on October 15, 2024 in 31 countries globally, with Bloomsbury Children’s Books publishing in the U.K.

In making the announcement, Ellie Berger, President, Scholastic Trade, said:

“For over twenty-five years, Harry Potter has ignited a generation to love reading. With Christmas at Hogwarts, we’re thrilled to publish a timeless picture book for families to read-aloud together and enjoy alongside the original Harry Potter series. It’s a festive celebration of friendship, family, and sharing the joys of the season, and we hope it will inspire a new holiday reading tradition for many years to come.”

About Christmas at Hogwarts

“Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.” So begins Chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K Rowling, and the heartwarming story of Harry Potter’s first Christmas at Hogwarts. From the Great Hall decked with magnificent fir trees to cozy evenings in the Gryffindor Common Room to the joy of presents on Christmas morning, it’s a holiday filled with warmth, friendship, good food, and magical surprises that Harry will never forget.

Ziyi Gao said, “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.”

About the illustrator

Ziyi Gao grew up in Beijing, China and first read the Harry Potter books when she was 13 years old. In 2014, she came to the U.S. and attended the University of California, San Diego, and majored in Biochemistry. Realizing that her true passion is in art and illustration, she moved to New York City and attended the School of Visual Arts where she graduated with a degree in illustration. Ziyi is a Ravenclaw and currently lives in Vancouver, Canada. To learn more visit www.ziyigao.com.

Bloomsbury Press Release

Christmas at Hogwarts – a joyfully illustrated, festive Harry Potter gift book for readers of all ages to be published on 15th October 2024 by Bloomsbury Children’s Books in the UK, and in 31 countries worldwide

Bloomsbury Children’s Books have today announced the publication of Christmas at Hogwarts, a heartwarming, fully illustrated gift book celebrating Harry Potter’s very first Christmas in the wizarding world.

With text drawn directly from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and luminous artwork by Ziyi Gao, this favourite moment, showing Harry’s first Christmas amongst friends, is certain to be treasured by the whole family. The 48-page colour hardback with dust jacket will be launched simultaneously on 15th October in 31 countries globally, with Scholastic publishing in the US.

‘Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.’

So begins Chapter 12 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the story of Harry’s magical Christmas holiday at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. From the wonder of the Great Hall decked with sparkling, decorated fir trees to cosy evenings by the fire in the Gryffindor common room and the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning, it’s a celebration filled with warmth, friendship, treats and magical surprises that Harry will never forget.

Mandy Archer, Head of Harry Potter Publishing, says, “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.”

Ziyi Gao says, “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.”

Christmas at Hogwarts publication will be supported by an international campaign: with high-impact advertising, a dynamic social campaign, beautiful festive point of sale for bookshops and libraries, and Christmas events to engage superfans, children, families and gifters around the world.