Harry Potter Special Edition Books
As avid Harry Potter lovers, my sons and I have also become collectors of Harry Potter special edition books. I love that they are keepsakes I can share with my boys and hopefully my grandkids someday.
Some of these special editions are available for all the Harry Potter books in order, while others are still being released in real time! For ease of shopping, I’ve tried to add all of the books available in each set below them.
The Best Harry Potter Special Editions
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Illustrated Harry Potter Special Editions
The Jim Kay versions – Jump to section
The Best Cover Art Harry Potter Special Editions
Juniper Editions – Jump to section
The Best Box Set Harry Potter Special Editions
Original Hardbacks in a Collector’s Trunk – Jump to section
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Illustrated Harry Potter Special Edition Books
Jim Kay Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
Illustrated by the fabulous Jim Kay, I adore these oversized editions with illustrations on each page for family read-aloud time. The stories come to life in these special editions.
Jim Kay illustrated up to Order of the Phoenix but the final two books will be drawn by Levi Pinfold.
Interactive Illustrated Harry Potter Pop-Up Editions
Did you know that Minalima are the artists who made all the graphics and print items for the movies? That makes them uniquely qualified to create the first 3 of these interactive editions.
These editions are incredible, with moving parts and pop-up elements. However, for the remaining 4 books in the series, a different artist team will be making these books.
New Cover Art Harry Potter Special Editions
Juniper Harry Potter Cover Editions
Juniper’s edition of Harry Potter are book jackets that you can put around the hardcover editions you already own! They come in a few different styles that look incredible on bookcases.
You can buy them jackets only or with the books. I’ve tried to round up all of them below. Do you have a favorite?
Hogwarts House Editions
Do you have a ton of house pride? Are you looking to upgrade your bookshelves to reflect it?
Then look no further than the hardback and paperback Hogwarts house editions. Mix and Match or get a complete set! I’ve rounded up as many as we could find below.
Shop Harry Potter Gifts and Merchandise
Are you a Harry Potter fan? I’ve rounded up our favorite Harry Potter merch for kids and adults alike!
Harry Potter Special Edition Box Sets
Original Hardbacks in Collector’s Trunk
If you are a fan of Mary GrandPré’s original artwork, this is the set for you! It makes a perfect gift in this collector’s edition trunk.
This would be particularly wonderful for a new child just starting out on their Harry Potter Journey.
Brian Selznick Illustrated Editions
Famed illustrator Brian Selznick redid the covers of the paperback editions of the Harry Potter series.
The cool thing about this set is if you line up the covers, they create one giant mural! Plus it comes in a cool box with a giant image of Harry on the back.
Harry Potter Hogwarts Box Set
Another new edition set, these paperbacks have all-new covers whose spines line up to create a view of Hogwarts Castle.
I love the images that Kazu Kibuishi created for this series, particularly the image of the burrow on the cover of book 2.
Harry Potter Companion Books
There are TONS of books about Harry Potter that aren’t Harry Potter! JK Rowling has written some additions to the series over the years, but so have other people.
There are 3D pop-up books, activity books, and books that unveil behind-the-scenes info about the books. So if you have finished all the books in the series, or have littles that aren’t quite ready to tackle them yet, can I suggest one of the books about Harry Potter below?
Harry Potter: A History of Magic
Author: The British Library
Year: 2018
Genre: Nonfiction
Age Range: 9+
Plot
Created as part of the special exhibit of the same name, this book is stuffed to the brim with artifacts, first drafts, and material used by JK Rowling to create the books and movies. Stunning artwork from famed artists fills the pages and will transport you into the heart of the creation of the magical world of Harry Potter.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you need to read more books related to Harry Potter and want the inside scoop, this pick is the perfect choice.
A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts
Author: Matthew ReinhartÂ
Illustrator: Kevin WilsonÂ
Year: 2018
Genre: Pop-up Book
Age: 8 – 12
Plot
Each magical location around Hogwarts gets the pop-up treatment, and then the entire book comes apart to display a pop-up map of Hogwarts castles and grounds. Rich in detail and design, this is a must-own book for any true fan of J.K. Rowling’s famed series.
Why Jackie loves it
Stop everything and get this Harry Potter pop-up book if you are an ultimate fan. It is breathtaking.
Harry Potter and the Art of Spying
Author: Lynn Boughey and Peter Earnest
Year: 2017
Genre: Nonfiction
Age: 8+
Plot
Did you realize how much spying was featured in the Harry Potter book series? Hagrid, Snape, Wormtail, The entire Order of the Phoenix…. all of them are spies! This book uses examples from HP to teach real-life spy techniques.
Why Kirsten loves it
My family and I came across this at the Spy Museum in Washington D.C. Being the Harry Potter-obsessed family we are, we had to bring it home. It’s filled with interactive activities for kids to complete as they read!
Find this book in: Best Books for 12-year-olds / Harry Potter Special Edition Books
Shop More Harry Potter Special Editions and Companion Books
Helpful Tip
- These special editions are investments. They are gorgeous but pricey, so pick a collection you will use and love.
- If you can only pick one, pick the OG hardbacks for reading alone OR the large illustrated editions to read aloud!
Frequently Asked Questions
When buying the Harry Potter house edition books should I buy the hardcover or paperback versions?
When considering special editions, I always err on the side of hardcover. They hold up better and are designed to be passed down to the next generation. Paperbacks, while cheaper, just can’t handle the same usage.
Do any of the Harry Potter special editions have different content inside?
Yes and no. The actual text of the story is the same no matter what special editions you purchase, but the Jim Kay-illustrated and Minalima interactive illustrated editions are absolutely different inside. Each of those editions has different artwork scattered through out making them a totally unique reading experience.
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Epilogue
With so many Harry Potter special editions to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one – which is exactly the logic that turned me into a collector! Are there any on your to purchase list? Which of these do you own, and why did you pick it? Let me know below!
