J K ROWLING is the bestselling author of the beloved ‘Harry Potter’ books.

Since finishing the last book in 2007, she has gone on to release many companion books. The latest additions to the wizarding world are the first three titles in the ‘Pocket Potter’ series, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. These companion books are collectable guides to your favourite characters, and illustrated by a range of artists.

AKINA HANSEN reports.

I n 1997 readers around the world were introduced to Harry Potter, a young wizard with green eyes, jet black hair and a lightning-bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. Today, his name is as recognisable as it is in the wizarding world he hails from.

‘He’ll be famous – a legend – I wouldn’t be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter day in the future – there will be books written about Harry – every child in our world will know his name!’
— Professor McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

When author J K Rowling first imagined young Harry while on a delayed train journey in 1990, she couldn’t have anticipated the cultural phenomenon the seven books she would go on to write would become.

When each book was newly released, mass hysteria swept the world – fans eagerly dressed up in their Hogwarts’ houses to purchase books and merchandise, Harry Potter theme parks were launched and began selling butter beer, eight films were successfully adapted and are now worth more than $10 billion, a companion story has been reproduced for the stage and an upcoming TV series has been announced.

Today, the ‘Harry Potter’ series is widely recognised as the bestselling series of all time, selling more than 500 million copies worldwide. The books follow Harry and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they learn the magical arts of charms, transfiguration, potions, herbology, and defence against the dark arts. And over the course of seven school years, we see Harry and his friends navigate love, friendship, loss and the murderous Lord Voldemort.

While its magical world has evidently set it apart – think Hogwarts, running through Platform 9¾, drinking Polly Juice Potion, travelling by Portkey, facing Dementors and learning incantations like ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ – perhaps what has captivated fans most, is its timeless themes of the power of love and friendship in overcoming hate and prejudice
and its ability to appeal to both younger and older readers.

‘We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.’
– Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The world of Harry Potter continues to grow and connect with a whole new generation of readers. Pocket Potters: Little guides to the Harry Potter stories by J K Rowling are the wizarding world’s latest addition and is a series of illustrated books that dive into your favourite wizards, witches and creatures.

. .

These books are a welcome development, especially given that, according to a 2024 Grattan Institute report, one-third of Australian students cannot read proficiently, with eight out of 24 students in a typical classroom facing reading difficulties.

Illustrated books offer children a practical and joyful way to engage with books and are invaluable in helping children build vocabulary, comprehension and boosting imagination.

In light of this, Mandy Archer, the Head of Harry Potter Publishing, said: ‘At a time when reading for pleasure is at a concerning low, our audience research studies highlighted a generation of enthusiastic younger fans at the start of their Harry Potter reading journey who were eager to engage further with their favourite witches and wizards. This combined insight inspired the “Pocket Potters” series – affordable and playful character guides in kaleidoscope colours that fans of all ages can read, share, gift and collect.’

The first three books in the ‘Pocket Potters’ series – Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger have been illustrated by Natalia Smith, Laura Pioretti and Olia Muza respectively.

Each illustrator has grown up with an affinity towards the wizarding world and bring with them their own vision of what that might look like. Natalie is a self-proclaimed Hufflepuff who has always dreamed of taking classes at Hogwarts: ‘I can picture myself so clearly sitting in class or learning about Mandrakes in the greenhouses.’ While Laura is a proud Slytherin. Olia, on the other hand, feels she is either a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff and shares how she grew up reading the books: ‘I love Harry Potter for the childhood it gave me. It brought colour and brightness into my world.’

As a result, these mini guides are filled with colourful and magical details, as well as concise copy to make the wizarding world accessible and engaging to both young and new readers. Learn everything about the trio of characters and their lives at Hogwarts from discovering who the head of Gryffindor House is, the name of Hermione’s pet cat, when Harry Potter was born, where Harry sleeps at Privet Drive, to how to travel to Hogwarts.

While this series is a great introduction to the much-loved wizarding world, these books will also appeal to longstanding fans who can expect to find some Easter eggs and return to a world of mischief and adventure. Potterheads will be particularly excited by the titbits of information and iconic moments throughout. There is lots to uncover and see, from battling mountain trolls; finding forbidden corridors; learning about the horrible Dursley’s; practising spells in charms class; to flying a car to Hogwarts.

You’ll also be able to get your hands on a further four books in the ‘Pocket Potter’ series next year, with even more books planned. The Hogwarts Express is calling – time to return to the magical wizarding world of Harry Potter. •

Pocket Potters: Little guides to the Harry Potter stories by J K Rowling are for ages 7+