Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, Illustrated by Jim Kay

I usually start each new year with the Harry Potter series, whether it is book form or movie form. I do this because of sentiment. When the novels first came out I was immediately in line for them. I remember seeing The Sorcerer's Stone and thinking "what the heck is a sorcerer's stone?" (I was eleven, sue me!) My dad was with me too. As each book was published, however, it became a competition between my dad and his mother as to who would get the book first. My grandmother passed away in 2011 but my dad and I still talk about the books and each new event coming from J.K. Rowling. When my husband was spectacular this Christmas and got me the 3 illustrated editions, I immediately sent a picture of them to my dad. When I went north to see my family, I took Sorcerer's Stone with me, and we enjoyed drifting through and gazing at the pictures. 

There were 3 sides of me that enjoyed this particular gift more than anything else. My inner eleven year old, because it was something my dad, my grandmother (by extension), and I shared. It's something that we will continue to share. My adult self, since it brought my husband to the fold. Not to the extent like my dad and I, but closer. He enjoys watching the movies more because he doesn't read. He can't sit still that long. But a third part of me, one that I have cultivated in teenage years into early stages of adulthood, and one that I hope never ever, ever to lose, was the artist. I found the most immense pleasure in viewing Jim Kay's artwork, and feel he truly captured the awe of Hogwarts. I mean, just look at that cover and tell me that the train does not make you wish to board it.

The story is the same, but the artwork binds it together for another generation to enjoy. In fact, my youngest nephew really liked the train, Hagrid's hut, and Hedwig. While the dark castle scared him, the beautiful white unicorn made his eyes go wide with "Pretty!" I cannot wait to dive into the second book. I wonder if the castle will look different, more gorgeous less "scary", but all I know is that I will still be in awe of whatever Jim Kay brings to life.