JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone gets beautiful first illustrated edition

Take a look at some of Jim Kay's pictures from the upcoming new version

Jim Kay's illustration of Hermione Granger in the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone edition (Jim Kay)

JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book is getting an artistic makeover for a new illustrated edition.

Bloomsbury Publishing shared four images from the upcoming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone release earlier today.

Illustrator Jim Kay is the pen behind the pictures, which show main characters Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy and Rubeus Hagrid.

“To be given the opportunity to design the characters, the clothing, the architecture and landscapes to possibly the most expansive fantasy world in children’s literature, well, let’s just say I’m extremely excited about it,” Kay said.

“The story is everything and so I want to bring what I can to really show the depth of Rowling’s stories to their best.”

The new edition will be the first fully illustrated version of Rowling’s bestseller and is set to hit bookstores on 6 October.

The hardback will include a ribbon marker, head and tail bands, illustrated endpapers and artwork on every spread.