Harry Potter Fans With No Life

Harry Potter books unveil seven new 20th anniversary covers

JESSICA DERSCHOWITZ April 10, 2018 AT 09:20 AM EDT
The seven Harry Potter books have transfigured themselves once again.

It was announced earlier this year that special 20th anniversary editions of J.K. Rowling’s seven books would be released, with new covers illustrated by artist Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck).

Those new black-and-white covers were unveiled Tuesday by Scholastic. When placed side by side, the seven covers become a long mural, seen below (click here for a closer look):



The new books are part of a yearlong campaign to commemorate Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone being released in the U.S. two decades ago. The new paperback versions of the Harry Potter series will be released June 26 and will be followed by a collectible box set designed by Selznick coming in September.

“I’m a huge Harry Potter fan (a proud Hufflepuff!) and to be asked to illustrate the 20th anniversary edition covers was an absolute honor,” Selznick said in a statement. “I knew this project came with so much responsibility to the stories, as well as to the readers. I revisited the books and was especially moved by the relationships between the characters in J.K. Rowling’s magical world, so I wanted these covers to reflect that. One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process was drawing seven independent covers that would stand on their own, while making sure that they also lined up to create one single satisfying image. It took dozens and dozens of sketches to get it right, and I am thrilled to share my great love for the books with these new illustrations.”

Plans to mark the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter’s U.S. publication are also in place for bookstores, libraries, schools, and festivals, according to Pottermore. Additionally, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is making its Broadway bow later this month, the Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibit is opening at the New-York Historical Society in October, and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will open in theaters Nov. 10. (Is that enough magic for you?)

See the new covers below, and head here to see all the Harry Potter covers through the years.