Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling celebrates 25 years in print in 2022
Jonny Duddle has been invited to take part in the 25th Anniversary celebrations kicking off with Harry Potter Book Night on 3rd February. Harry Potter Day is celebrated by libraries, schools, bookshops and especially by fans of the books both young and old. This year the theme is Magical Journeys.
‘He’ll be famous – a legend – I wouldn’t be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter Day in future – there will be books written about Harry – every child in our world will know his name!’
Chapter one: The Boy Who Lived - Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone
The National Literacy Trust is hosting a live virtual multi-school event with Jonny Duddle talking about his experiences illustrating Harry Potter and showing the children how he created the cover for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. He teaches a step-by-step guide of how to draw his favourite character Hagrid. You can see the event live at 10.30 am on Thursday 3rd February on youtube on this link. This event launches the National Literacy Trust 'Miles of Magic' Reading Challenge and 'The Harry Potter Relay', where a single copy of Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone will go on a journey to twenty five schools, each one adding the teachers' special memories of their first reading of the book on postcards. Bloomsbury have donated hundreds of books to children in years 4, 5 and 6 through the NLT Literacy Hubs to reach out to more schools with their very own Harry Potter Reading Challenge.
There's a new anniversary paperback edition of Harry Potter and The Philospher's Stone published to mark the occasion and Bloomsbury will also publish a special edition hardback in June of the original cover featuring The Hogwarts Express illustration by Thomas Taylor.
Jonny has illustrated all seven covers of the original books by J. K. Rowling for Bloomsbury, the 'childrens' editions. You can see all of the cover artworks on Jonny's portfolio here.
Jonny was interviewed by CBBC's Newsround this week, he taught the presenter Shanuqua how to draw Dobby, the house elf, you can see her efforts on this clip and get a peek inside Jonny's studio, eagle eyed children might recognise pictures from The Pirate Cruncher, Pirates Next Door, Gigantosaurus and Aardman's Pirates. Drawings from Jonny's new secret project starring a drooling bear and some vikings are also on the walls.
Original sketch of Dobby by Jonny Duddle.
