New 'Harry Potter' covers commissioned for 15th anniversary

• Tweet

American Muggles raised on "Harry Potter" books brought to life by Mary GrandPre's iconic illustrations might balk at the suggestion that any other art deserves to grace the series' covers.

Nevertheless, Scholastic announced Wednesday that it had commissioned Kazu Kibuishi, best known for the "Amulet" series of graphic novels, to design seven new "Harry Potter" covers for the 15th anniversary of the U.S. publication of J.K. Rowling's beloved books.

Though you won't see the new editions in stores until September, Scholastic released Kibuishi's version of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Unlike GrandPre's design, which shows Harry straddling a broomstick in pursuit of the Snitch, Kibuishi drew Harry and Hagrid walking through Diagon Alley.

In a press release, Kibuishi said he "hestitated" to take on the project and didn't want to see GrandPre's "fantastic" covers "reinterpreted."

In an interview with "Good Morning America," Kibuishi said he felt like he was doing "Harry Potter" fan art, but "in the style of classic literature.

"I was thinking of 'Great Expectations' or 'A Christmas Carol,'" he said.

What do you think of the new design?