As if by magic, more Harry Potter books are on the way!

We would's want to imply that the universe’s billions of Harry Potter fans are an unimaginative lot, but the fever for illustrated editions of JK Rowling’s novels is almost as heated as the public’s anticipation of the original picture-less books when they tumbled one by one out of Edinburgh.

And this is despite all seven books having been turned into movies – eight movies, somehow – which surely painted a fairly comprehensive picture of the boy wizard and his diverse adventures.

Nevertheless we understand the appeal of illustrated editions. No one has ever improved on “Alice in Wonderland” with the pen-and-ink Tenniel illustrations, for example, whether by paintbrush or computer-generated animation.

Now, finally, Bloomsbury Publishing of Britain is ready to start making good on its 2013 promise to bring out illustrated editions of all seven Harry Potter novels. And, in Thailand, lucky Nanmee Books holds the exclusive rights to the translated series. Coming up first is “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: Illustrated Edition”, for which Nanmee is already taking advance orders. Global release is set for October 6. 

“Philosopher’s Stone” was of course the first Potter adventure Rowling wrote, back when she was still a starving single mum loitering around her local Starbucks. Now richer than the Queen of England, if not Oprah Winfrey, she gave her personal blessing to the choice of Jim Kay as the artist who would stuff more than 100 full-colour illustrations into her debut novel.

Kay, who specialises in gothic imagery, won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2012 for his hair-raising depictions of the title character and others in Patrick Ness’ children’s book “A Monster Calls”. The next call came from a Bloomsbury staffer, asking about Potter, and Kay basically wet his pants.

“To design the characters, the clothing, the architecture and the landscapes for possibly the most expansive fantasy world in children’s literature – well, let’s just say I’m extremely excited about it,” Kay tells the Guardian. “However, I am also mindful of the huge responsibility this represents.” 

In Kay’s mind, Harry would be a scrappy, energetic youth, but he couldn’t quite get the sketch right until he spotted just the right sort of boy on London subway and asked the kid’s mother for permission to draw him – making no mention of the fact that the lad was about to become “the new Harry Potter”. (Funnily enough, he looks amazingly like Daniel Radcliffe.)

Rowling has seen Kay’s illustrations for her novel, he says, and, as far as he knows, she’s requested no changes. “She is amazing – she just lets you reinvent things! I got a letter from her saying how much she liked it. It took me six months to get up the courage to write back.”

The Harry Potter novels have sold 450 million copies in 74 languages. And now there are more to buy! You’ll need another Bt1,590 for the illustrated “Philosopher’s Stone” in hardback at Wankaew Children Bookshop, but pre-order before September 30 to get 15 per cent knocked off the price and they’ll throw in a Bt300 purchase voucher. Operators are standing by at (02) 662 3000, extension 4418.