9 Illustrated Editions That Kids (And Kids at Heart) Will Love

What’s even better than diving into a favorite story? Diving into a favorite story that’s been paired with beautiful illustrations.

Cara Broel –
Book Culture Bookish Lifestyle Recommendations Young Adult Young Readers
Three book covers of illustrated editions, "The Hunger Games," "The Muppet Christmas Carol," and "Eragon" are displayed over a picture of two brown-haired children looking at an illustrated map inside a book.

Sometimes the best compliment to a beloved story is the beautiful work of an artist alongside it. It can help solidify our perception of what the writer is conveying, and sometimes even introduce visual possibilities that we would otherwise not have been able to imagine. For those who never outgrew picture books — and come on, who ever really outgrows picture books? — here’s a guide of eleven illustrated editions that are sure to become your new favorite copy of an already-treasured book.

The Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition by Suzanne Collins, illustrated by Nico Delort

Book cover of "The Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition," written by Suzanne Collins and illustrated by Nico Delort, featuring an illustration of a young woman with long braided hair and wearing a quiver drawing a bow in a field at sunset.
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The iconic YA series is finally getting illustrated editions, and the first book has already hit the shelves. Illustrated in jaw-dropping detail by Nico Delort, who specializes in black-and-white scratchboard art that encompasses a stunning sense of scale and mood, this edition is perfect for longtime fans of The Hunger Games and readers picking up the series for the first time.

The Hobbit Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien

Book cover of "The Hobbit Illustrated" by J.R.R. Tolkien, featuring a green cover with a small illustration of three mountains under an orange sun surrounded by runic text in gold. Gold runic text borders the top and bottom edges of the cover, as well as the blue paperedges.
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This edition of the classic prelude to The Lord of the Rings is made all the more enchanting by over 50 sketches, drawings, and maps by Tolkien himself. Tolkien’s artwork is charming and atmospheric, fitting seamlessly into his timeless tale of Bilbo Baggins and his journey to the Lonely Mountain.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay

Book cover of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition," written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Jim Kay, featuring an illustration of a black and red steam engine with a barn owl flying overhead while a pale-skinned boy with round glasses and black hair stares upward.
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Award-winning illustrator Jim Kay magically brings the first book in the Harry Potter series to life with over 100 full-color illustrations in this remarkable edition. For young readers getting into the series for the first time, this is a marvelous way to introduce them to the world of witchcraft and wizardry. 

Eragon: The Illustrated Edition by Christopher Paolini, illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi

Book cover of "Eragon: The Illustrated Edition," written by Christopher Paolini and illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi, featuring an illustration of a dark-haired, tan-skinned young man grins as he rides on the back of a flying blue dragon.
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Fantasy fans will be blown away by this illustrated edition of the first book in The Inheritance Cycle series. Lavishly illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi, the artwork in this tale of Eragon the Dragon Rider comes to life in sharp ink-on-paper and stunning oil-on-canvas originals that bring the story and characters to life like never before.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: 20th Anniversary Illustrated Edition by Tim Burton

Book cover of "The Nightmare Before Christmas: 20th Anniversary Illustrated Edition" by Tim Burton, featuring an illustration of a smiling skeleton in a Santa outfit holding an open bag, from which sinister-looking toys and creatures are emerging.
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A title that perfectly bridges the gap for those of us who are a little scary and a little merry, Tim Burton’s beloved film is transformed into picture book form and brought to life/death by illustrations done by the visionary director himself. This is a great gift for all those spooky kids out there, and even for the spooky grownups too.

The Golden Compass: Illustrated Edition by Philip Pullman, illustrated by Chris Wormell

Book cover of "The Golden Compass: Illustrated Edition," written by Philip Pullman and illustrated by Chris Wormell, featuring an illustration of a pale-skinned child in a hooded fur coat riding on the back of a polar bear in the snow with a borealis in the background.
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The much-loved His Dark Materials series gets an illustrated edition with unique visuals to match its one-of-a-kind world. Featuring over 100 full-color, woodcut-inspired illustrations by the acclaimed illustrator Chris Wormell, Lyra and her journey to the North are presented in dazzling detail while maintaining the fusion of old, new, and never-before-seen that defines Pullman’s world.

The Secret Garden: An Illustrated Edition of the Classic Novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated by Kate Lewis

Book cover of "The Secret Garden: An Illustrated Edition of the Classic Novel," written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and illustrated by Kate Lewis, featuring an illustration of brightly-colored flowers and a robin in a birdbath against a yellow background.
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A classic childhood tale of friendship, discovery, and healing, this edition of The Secret Garden features a riotously colorful collection of paintings and illustrations by artist Kate Lewis. Readers can follow the orphaned Mary Lennox as she discovers the mysteries of an overgrown garden and finds a new family while marveling at the spellbinding flora that gives the book its title.

The Lightning Thief: Illustrated Edition by Rick Riordan, illustrated by John Rocco

Book cover of "The Lightning Thief: Illustrated Edition," written by Rick Riordan and illustrated by John Rocco, featuring an illustration of a pale-skinned, dark-haired boy holding a sword on a beach and facing off against towering creatures of Greek myth, including a minotaur, gorgon, and dark winged beast.
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With the new season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians releasing next year, it’s a perfect time for readers to reacquaint themselves with the first book in the extremely popular series. This edition of The Lightning Thief features fantastic and fearsome illustrations by John Rocco, who did all of the original cover art for the original Percy Jackson books.

The Muppet Christmas Carol: The Illustrated Holiday Classic by Brooke Vitale, illustrated by Luke Flowers

Book cover of "The Muppet Christmas Carol: The Illustrated Holiday Classic," written by Brooke Vitale and illustrated by Luke Flowers, featuring an illustration of a two green frogs, a pink pig, a brown rat, and a blue long-nosed alien dressed in Dickensian clothing; a pale-skinned, gray haired man in a stocking cap and robe looks at them angrily with folded arms.
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The greatest onscreen adaptation of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol — I said what I said — is reimagined in picture book form. With charming illustrations by prolific illustrator and longtime Muppets collaborator Luke Flowers, this is a wonderful companion book for anyone who grew up loving the film, or anyone sharing it with their families for the first time.

Did any of the above make your Christmas gift lists? Or your Christmas wish list? Whichever it is, we hope that you enjoy these illustrated editions for many holidays to come.

To see more of our bookish gift recommendations, check them out here.

For Bookstr team young adult recommendations, check out our list here.

FEATURED IMAGE VIA CANVA / CARA BROEL