NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Harry Potter
fans of all ages can look forward to a magical 2018. As part of its
year-long campaign to celebrate the 20th anniversary of
the U.S. publication of Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Scholastic (NASDAQ:
SCHL) announced today that worldwide bestselling and Caldecott
Medal-winning artist Brian Selznick will illustrate new paperback
editions of J.K. Rowling's bestselling Harry Potter series to be published in
July 2018. A collectible boxed set
designed by Selznick also will be available in September.
"I'm a big Harry Potter fan and
it is an incredible honor to illustrate J.K. Rowling's iconic
series," said Brian Selznick. "I am thrilled to play a part in this
exciting 20th anniversary celebration and look forward
to meeting Harry Potter fans and
readers across the country."
"Brian Selznick, with his unique and cinematic approach, is a
visionary and the perfect artist to illustrate these new
Harry Potter editions, for readers
of all ages," said Ellie Berger,
President, Scholastic Trade. "As the longtime U.S. publisher of
Harry Potter, we've seen firsthand
the impact of the series over the past twenty years—from the early
support and enthusiasm among booksellers and librarians, to kids
discovering the books for the first time, and to families and
friends lining up for midnight parties. On this
milestone anniversary, we are excited to join the legions of fans
as we celebrate this cultural phenomenon, and look forward to
introducing Harry Potter to a new
generation of readers."
To mark the 20th anniversary of the U.S. publication
of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter
and the Sorcerer's Stone, Scholastic is planning major events
throughout the year including celebrations at bookstores,
libraries, schools, and festivals around the country. The Wizarding
World will have one of its busiest years ever in the U.S. with the
stage play Harry Potter and the
Cursed Child coming to Broadway in April; the British
Library's exhibition Harry Potter: A History of Magic
opening at the New-York Historical Society in October; and the
2nd Fantastic Beasts movie, The Crimes of
Grindelwald, opening in theaters in November. In addition to
the newly designed paperback editions, Scholastic will publish
books in conjunction with the exhibition and film. The seven
Harry Potter books have sold more
than 160 million copies in the U.S. alone and over 450 million
copies worldwide. The books are published in over 200 territories
in 80 languages.
Brian Selznick's books have garnered countless accolades
worldwide, and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He
is the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Invention of
Hugo Cabret, adapted into
Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning
movie Hugo; and Wonderstruck, adapted by celebrated
filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a
screenplay by Selznick; as well as The Marvels, which is
loosely connected to Hugo and Wonderstruck by themes
of family and discovery. Selznick recently worked with Christopher Wheeldon on a new narrative for a
re-imagined Nutcracker at the Joffrey Ballet. Selznick has also
worked as a puppeteer and a set designer, and began his career as a
bookseller at Eeyore's Books for Children in New York City. His most recent project is
Baby Monkey, Private Eye, a nearly 200-page illustrated book
for beginning readers co-written with his husband Dr. David Serlin. They divide their time between
Brooklyn, New York, and
San Diego, California.
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest
publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider
of core literacy curriculum and professional services, and a
producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The
Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and
technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, classroom
magazines and other products and services that support children's
learning both in school and at home. With operations in 14
international offices and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic
makes quality, affordable books available to all children around
the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom
collections, school and public libraries, retail and online. True
to its mission of 97 years to encourage the personal and
intellectual growth of all children beginning with literacy, the
Company has earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators
and families. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
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SOURCE Scholastic