Bloomsbury’s children’s book division recently announced that artist Levi Pinfold will illustrate the final two titles in the Harry Potter Illustrated Edition series. This news was shared on their official Instagram account and website on March 10th.
The Illustrated Editions began with the release of "Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone" in 2015 and have since gained popularity due to their stunning artwork and imaginative storytelling. Initially, British illustrator Jim Kay was responsible for bringing the beloved characters to life through his illustrations.
On March 10th, a report from harrypotter.com revealed that Jim Kay has decided to step back from his role in illustrating the Harry Potter series to prioritize his mental health. Consequently, award-winning artist Levi Pinfold will take over the illustration for the last two books, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Bloomsbury also announced via Instagram that the illustrated edition of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" will be released in October 2026, featuring an image of Dumbledore and Harry inspecting the magical Pensieve.
Levi Pinfold, originally from Dean Forest, England and now residing in Cornwall, is an accomplished illustrator who graduated from University College Falmouth in 2006. His first picture book, "Django," was published in 2010, followed by "Black Dog." He received recognition as the Best Emerging Illustrator at the 2010 Book Trust Early Years Award and was a finalist for the Book Trust Best New Illustrators Award in 2011.
Fans may already be familiar with Pinfold’s previous work, as he contributed to the Harry Potter Hogwarts House Edition and the Wizard Almanac.
In a statement about his new role, Pinfold describes the Harry Potter series as "magic": "These books are like old friends, and I feel very privileged to share my vision. The visual experience of ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ resembles witnessing fireworks on a cold, dark night."
Jim Kay shared his appreciation for Pinfold’s work, recalling their first encounter when he saw Pinfold’s art during a visit to the publishing house. Kay expressed his comfort in knowing that Pinfold would illustrate the last two books, highlighting his admiration for both Pinfold and the Harry Potter story.
With the release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" set for next year, Bloomsbury will soon provide pre-order details. In the meantime, fans can purchase the first five illustrated volumes from the official website.
Edited by Ahana Mukhopadhyay
