An Early Christmas Gift for Potterheads - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition

After a long wait, it's finally here. The Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Illustrated Edition was released last week, October 6. This is the first book in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the illustrations in this edition were done by Jim Kay. Of course, a Potterhead like me has to get a copy, so I did. 

I got mine from a local bookstore here, National Bookstore, for Php 1,679.00 (roughly $37). I wasn't able to pre-order so I called before going to the bookstore to check out if they have copies available, the first four branches I called said that they were already out since each store only received limited number of copies and it was already October 8 when I remembered, yeah, I should get a Remembrall. Those that I called first are the stores nearby, just 25-30-minute drive away, luckily, the fifth one I called which is just one hour away from us had one copy left and they agreed to hold it for me until the next day . Yup, I had to wait another day because my husband already needed to go to work that time and I wouldn't commute just to get the book, what's one more day right? (See, Honey, I'm not that hardcore of a fan like you always say I am.)

Anyway, I'm just glad I didn't travel far to get a copy. Now, I have this to read to my daughter, she's not interested in books without pictures, at least now I can read her one of my favorite books hoping she'll like it, too.

Most book readers have probably read this one, even those who are not fans of Rowling's works because this is her first book and usually, we read the first book of an author to check out his or her style specially if it's a series with great reviews, well, except for those who don't really wanna try because the genre or the book itself doesn't appeal to them at all. So there's really no need for me to say anything about the story, but if you insist, well, all I can say is - It's amazing!!!

Okay, so I'm just going to show you what's up with this book's newest edition. I haven't counted them but it's said that there are more than a hundred illustrations in this book and I took photos of some of my favorites.

This is the front cover with the gold texts and that magical Harry Potter font and with Harry and Hedwig beside the Hogwarts Express.

The spine, still with the golden texts.

The back cover with J.K. Rowling's note.

This nice red book cover will show when the dust jacket is removed.

The endpapers are also illustrated, with the Hogwarts castle.

It has these beautiful title pages and table of contents.

This spread deserves to be the first spread indeed, this is how I imagine Dudley as a baby, haha. The framed pictures are so funny.

I would love to have a larger version of this image, this is poster material.

Hagrid, The Keeper of the Keys!

This version of Diagon Alley looks messy to me but what do I know, I'm just a Muggle.

Draco Malfoy at Madam Malkin's. He's the first Hogwarts student Harry met but it's different in the film adaptation as this scene at Madam Malkin's was not included, it's the Weasley kids in the movie.

Harry's first time at Platform 9 3/4, enjoying the beauty of the Hogwarts Express and the magical chaos surrounding him.

Ron and Scabbers aboard the Hogwarts Express.

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the greatest headmaster Hogwarts has ever had.

Interesting but I like the version of the sorting hat in the movie better.

Professor Quirrell and his infamous turban.

Snape, I mean Professor Snape, the Potions Master. This picture is quite scary.

Look closer....

Closer... his right hand seems to be disconnected, haha.

Harry vs. the troll. 

I love this informative illustration about trolls. See how tiny the troll's brain is? 

The golden snitch.

Hermione Granger with her bushy hair and bluebell flame in a jar.

Gryffindors, with Hagrid, supporting their house during the first Quidditch match of the year.

Harry and Dumbledore talking about the Mirror of Erised. 

Professor Minerva McGonagall, one of my favorite characters.

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" under Quirrell's turban, urgh, creepy! 

Gryffindors celebrating after winning the House Cup!

The book pages are colorful, those without illustrations have what appear to be blotches of paint.

I'm off to rereading the whole Harry Potter series, I've noticed that I do this every year, sometimes through audio books. So now, my schedule to reread would be everytime the illustrated version of a book in the series is published which was announced to be every year. Exciting, isn't it?

Thank you for dropping by. Bye for now my Muggle friends!