Today is the day we welcome the newest member of the Tolkien book family. An illustrated edition of one of our most cherished stories, The Hobbit, has been officially released in the UK!
The book features artwork by Jemima Catlin, and is the first illustrated edition to be published since 1997. It’s been a while but this book sure makes up for the time.
Jemima is an artist from Dorchester, Dorset and was discovered by HarperCollins’ publisher, David Brawn, when she sent him a Tolkien inspired project she created for her illustration degree course.
Her artwork is a combination of pencil, ink and watercolor and she begins each illustration by drawing in a sketchbook balanced on her knees. She drew inspiration from local mythology, classic fairy tales and Tolkien’s own illustrations. You can read more about Jemima in an interview I did with her here.
The book gets released in the US in the beginning of October, but I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy. As soon as I took it out of the package I fell in love. I quickly flipped through the pages to see all the illustrations and was pleasantly surprised at how many there were. There’s artwork on almost every page… 150 colored illustrations! I can easily imagine children opening this edition of The Hobbit and becoming Tolkien fans for life. The style of Jemima’s work fits so well with this story, giving it a “quirky and whimsical” feel that quickly transports me to Middle-earth.
Thank you and congratulations, Jemima! This is a book any Tolkien fan would be proud to own.
After looking at the book some more, I suddenly have the urge to make a cup of warm tea, find a nice comfortable place outside in the sun and read.
Stay updated with Jemima by visiting her official website, following her on Twitter and liking her Facebook page.
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