Grandpre Talks New Sorcerer's Stone Cover Art

Time magazine has a new interview with American edition Harry Potter illustrator Mary Granpre, focusing mainly on the new cover art for the 10th year anniversary edition of Sorcerer's Stone.

What was it like to go back and draw Harry as an 11-year-old [for the upcoming anniversary edition] now that his story has finished unfolding?

It was really a nice opportunity. As Harry grew, I always wished I could go back and make a new piece for each book. So when the anniversary cover idea came up, I was really excited to do that. It's like getting to do a new portrait of this old soul you really know.

What did you try to do differently, given what you've learned about him as he traveled through the saga?

The first cover was a designed cover, with a certain trendy feel to it. As you got to know him, it was more about depicting Harry as a real person. By the fifth cover, I was more interested in Harry on an emotional, personal level rather than creating a graphically designed, compositionally correct cover. I tried to bring that emotional and personal feeling to this anniversary cover.

The book will be released on September 23, 2008.

Special Edition Sorcerer's Stone; New Cover Art

Scholastic has announced that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone will be released in a special anniversary edition on September 23, 2008 and sell for $30.00. Not only does the book feature new artwork from Mary Grandpré, the illustrator for al the past US Potter books, but the book will feature bonus material from J.K. Rowling herself.

The new cover art shows Harry looking into the Mirror of Erised, and can be viewed here. “It's a real treat for me to get another chance to visually bring Harry back to his fans in not only a new scene, but in a new light,” said Mary Grandpré. “Going back to draw the first cover for the anniversary edition was an opportunity for me to show another side of Harry... a vulnerable side. Having come to know and love Harry the way we all have, after experiencing the whole series, I think we can appreciate him even more on an emotional level.”