The beloved book of old children’s fables is a wizarding world staple in the Harry Potter books – and in 2008, Beedle’s stories, brought to life by J.K. Rowling, were published for the first time, raising money for her charity, Lumos. 10 years on, you can see Beedle’s stories reimagined in a whole new way, with new illustrated editions coming out this October from Bloomsbury in the UK and Scholastic’s Arthur A. Levine Books in the US.
The UK edition from Bloomsbury, has been illustrated by award-winning artist and cartoonist Chris Riddell.
The cover of the book is shrouded with flowers and features many beloved characters from Beedle’s stories, such as the three witches from ‘The Fountain of Fair Fortune’ and the pot from ‘The Wizard and the Hopping Pot’. Flip the book over, and you’ll be greeted with a new back cover drawing of Albus Dumbledore, who provides notes on Beedle’s stories.
'It has been a magical experience in all senses being invited into the world of Harry Potter and illustrating these wonderful tales,' Chris said. 'I hope this edition will be enjoyed by wizards and Muggles alike!'
You can take a look inside Chris’s illustrated edition here:
For US audiences, we have Scholastic’s illustrated edition, featuring the work of award-winning children’s illustrator, Lisbeth Zwerger.
Lisbeth’s cover shows off her own interpretations of the characters, such as Babbitty Rabbitty (in her Animagus form!) from ‘Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump’ and Death from ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers’: the story where Harry learnt about the origins of the Deathly Hallows.
For forty years Zwerger has been illustrating the childrens' classics (such as Grimm and Andersen) that she grew up with.
‘Beedle’s tales were new to me (I guess that immediately exposes me as a Muggle!), but no less classic in feel and impact,’ Lisbeth told Pottermore. ‘And this very newness – the humour and pathos of J.K. Rowling’s imagination – gave me wonderful material to work with, not tied to longstanding pictures in my head from the tales of my youth. The time I’ve spent with this book has probably been the happiest and most exciting months of my life, working in a blaze of imagery, inspired by Rowling and her rich, evocative storytelling.’
You can take a look inside Lisbeth’s illustrated edition here:
Both versions of The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be released this October.
Bloomsbury’s Illustrated Edition will be published in hardback on 2 October 2018, along with a deluxe edition. Scholastic’s Illustrated Edition will be published the following week, on 9 October 2018.
We can Bardl-y wait.
You can pre-order the illustrated editions of The Tales of Beedle the Bard for the US and for the UK now.